Whistleblower Protection Laws in the UK Under Review
The UK government has launched a review of its whistleblowing framework to gather evidence on the effectiveness of current laws in enabling workers to speak up about wrongdoing and protecting those who do so.
Importance of Whistleblowing
Whistleblowing is a crucial source of evidence for authorities tackling corruption, fraud, and other economic crime. It allows employees to report unsafe working conditions and wrongdoing across all sectors. The importance of this was keenly felt during the Covid-19 pandemic, when the Care Quality Commission and Health and Safety Executive recorded significant increases in whistleblowing disclosures.
Review Objectives
Business Minister Kevin Hollinrake emphasized the significance of whistleblowing, stating that it is a vital tool in tackling economic crime and unsafe working conditions. The review aims to take stock of whether the whistleblowing framework operates effectively and protects those who call out wrongdoing.
The review will focus on key areas:
- Who is covered by whistleblowing protections
- Availability of information and guidance for whistleblowing purposes
- How employers and prescribed persons respond to disclosures
Terms of Reference
The full terms of reference can be found on gov.uk. The government seeks views and evidence from:
- Whistleblowers
- Key charities
- Employers
- Regulators
as part of the review process.
Strengthening the Framework
This effort aims to strengthen the whistleblowing framework, ensuring that workers feel empowered to speak up without fear of retaliation or reprisal. The review will conclude in Autumn 2023.
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