This will be an engaging discussion on how we can start to strengthen our defences against fraud. Chaired by Dame Margaret Hodge MP, key speakers include:

• Simon Fell MP, Member of Parliament for Barrow and Furness

• Rob Jones, Director-General, National Economic Crime Centre - National Crime Agency

• Louise Baxter MBE, Head - National Trading Standards Scams Team

In the UK there is an epidemic of fraud. Criminals and fraudsters have taken full advantage of the internet and the COVID pandemic for financial gain. Instances of fraud have exploded to make it the most commonly experienced of all crimes in Britain. In the year ending September 2021, there were over 5.1 million incidents of fraud, with it now impacting one in 15 UK citizens a year. With fewer than 20% of frauds reported, the actual figure is likely far higher. Spotlight on Corruption estimates that fraud costs the UK economy £190 billion per year, with the private sector hit hardest, losing around £140 billion. UK banks spend over £5 billion a year on fraud and financial crime prevention.

To RSVP and for access details, please contact APPG Communications Manager Laurie Woodiwiss, by email at laurie.woodiwiss@parliament.uk, or use the button below.

Please join us for a virtual parliamentary seminar on Improving Standards in Public Life. This event be an opportunity for an open discussion between Parliamentarians and other stakeholders on how we can strengthen our democracy. This event will take place at 10.00 on 3 March.

Transparency and robust oversight lead to greater accountability and ultimately make for better democratic representation. Yet in the wake of recent controversies, never has it been more important for us to build consensus on how public figures can uphold the highest standards. There are plenty of difficult questions to unpick.  

How can we minimise the risks of undue influence that can come from MPs having second jobs? Can we better regulate the revolving door between Government, Parliament, and the private sector? Is the existing Ministerial Code up to scratch?  

These are just some of the areas we hope to explore in what should be an engaging debate with our expert panel:   

• Chris Bryant MP, Chair – House of Commons Committee on Standards

• Bronwen Maddox, Director – Institute for Government

• Lord Evans, Chair – Committee on Standards in Public Life

The event will be chaired by Nigel Mills MP and there will be a short presentation from Dame Margaret Hodge MP on an upcoming paper about the relationship between financial and political standards.

To RSVP and for access details, please contact APPG Coordinator, Alex Conneely Hughes, by email at conneelyhughesa@parliament.uk or use the button below.

UK Corruption Sanctions - Virtual Briefing

Join us to learn more about the Government's new tool for tackling corruption abroad.
When: 14.00-15.00 on 12 January 2022

Where: Virtual

Panel: Tom Tugendhat MP, Chair - Foreign Affairs Committee

and other expert speakers from civil society.

Hosted by Margaret Hodge MP

and the APPG on Anti-Corruption & Responsible Tax

For more information and access details - please get in touch with alex.conneelyhughes@parliament.uk

The APPG on Anti-Corruption & Responsible Tax is hosting a virtual briefing on the Pandora Papers. The event will take place virtually on Tuesday 2 November at 15.00. Our panel includes:    

• Gerard Ryle, International Consortium of Investigative Journalists

• Simon Bowers, Finance Uncovered

• And more from The Guardian and BBC

The Pandora Papers are a huge leak of documents that lift the lid on the secret world of offshore finance. They were published by the BBC, The Guardian, the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, and other partners earlier this month. As ever, the UK and our tax havens play a central role in the stories that were unearthed, including some of the very worst tax avoidance and money laundering. 

At this event we will be discussing what the Pandora Papers tell us about how the UK property market is vulnerable to abuse by those looking to avoid tax or launder dirty money. The Pandora Papers revealed the true offshore owners of around £4 billion worth of UK property, including questionable or even corrupt individuals. By using shell companies in offshore tax havens they can secretly purchase UK property without any scrutiny.  

 The event will be a fantastic opportunity to hear directly from the investigative journalists behind these ground-breaking leaks and provide a chance for Parliamentarians to discuss how the UK should strengthen measures in place to protect our property market.   

Please get in touch with APPG Coordinator Alex Conneely Hughes (alex.conneelyhughes@parliament.uk) if you are planning to attend and we will share access details. I hope that you can join us.   

AGM - APPG on Anti-Corruption & Responsible Tax

Please join our virtual AGM to discuss the last 12 months of news in the worlds of tax, dirty money, and corruption. The APPG will also share our exciting plans for the year ahead.

We will be introducing our new campaigner - former MP, Anna Turley. Finally, we will have presentations from two civil society groups:

• Gavin Hayman, Executive Director - Open Contracting Partnership - will provide an update on the Government's efforts to reform procurement and explain why this really matters.

• Andrew Dixon, Founder - Fairer Share - will discuss their proposal for a proportionate property tax, an innovative and equitable way of reforming council tax.

As ever, we will welcome discussion and input from fellow Parliamentarians. Please get in touch for access details - alex.conneelyhughes@parliament.uk.

We have lined up an exciting panel of high-profile speakers to discuss the new international deal for corporate tax reform. These proposals, which include a global minimum corporate tax rate, are being driven by the OECD. The reforms could finally put a stop to corporate tax dodging by ending the race to the bottom and create a level playing field for British businesses.

Chair - Dame Margaret Hodge MP

Panel -

• Jesse Norman MP, Financial Secretary to the Treasury

• James Murray MP, Shadow Financial Secretary to the Treasury

• Alex Cobham, Chief Executive - Tax Justice Network

Join us for what is sure to be a lively debate. For access details, please get in touch with the APPG Coordinator - Alex Conneely Hughes, alex.conneelyhughes@parliament.uk

Join us to hear about the latest proposals for Companies House. These reforms have never been more necessary as money laundering and financial crime pose increasingly serious national security risks.

Companies House was once a world-leading corporate registrar, but it has now become a chink in our armour against dirty money. Wrongdoers can all too easily list false information, fake identities, and fraudulent records. The Government's latest proposals will give Companies House powers to better monitor and verify the information it houses.  

At the event Lord Callanan, Minister for Corporate Responsibility, and speakers from civil society will be discussing the new proposals.

Sign up to our mailing list or get in touch below for access details.