The Government has a manifesto commitment to “restore confidence in government and ensure ministers are held to the highest standards".
Trust in government and the political system more widely is essential to the proper functioning and prosperity of a democratic state. Concerns with ethical standards are not new, however controversy surrounding the propriety of conduct of those in public life was a particularly prominent part of political life during the last parliament. This has raised questions as to whether the current system of ethical standards regulation is sufficient or even fit for purpose.
Read the call for evidence for more detail about the inquiry.