Why the Bribery Act is good for British Business

The government is concerned about the competitiveness impact of the new Bribery Act and that it might impede the UK’s recovery from the recession.

There are five reasons why the Bribery Act could actually be good for British business. These are:

  1. The UK government can use the Act to pursue and prosecute lots of foreign firms that are currently competing unfairly against UK businesses. The way the US administration is using the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) highlights the point. Eight of the top ten monetary fines imposed by the US have been on European headquartered corporations, not US ones
  2.  UK firms are using the Act to push suppliers, agents and intermediaries in developing countries to put in place stronger anti-corruption controls. This is already having the impact of making these companies less corrupt and easier for UK firms to compete with
  3. Foreign companies with any link to the UK are already changing their procedures to comply with the Act – again helping UK businesses to compete fairly with them
  4. Foreign governments are aware of the Act and already there is debate in the US and other jurisdictions about strengthening their anti-bribery legislation to meet the standards being set by the UK Act
  5. Clarity in the UK legislation will help UK companies to resist demands for bribes and will put greater pressure on foreign governments and companies to operate clean procurement processes

Michael Littlechild, Director of GoodCorporation said “Forget the moral case for the Bribery Act – if it is implemented and scrutinised well the Act could and should be good for British competitiveness.”

Posted: February 2011

 

Notes to Editors:

  1. Michael Littlechild is available for interviews, briefings or written comment
  2. GoodCorporation is a leading adviser in the field of business ethics, specialising in the assessment of responsible management and anti-corruption practices.  For further information visit http://www.goodcorporation.com

Media Enquiries:

Sally McGeachie 020 8877 5300

sally.mcgeachie@goodcorporation.com