From October of this year, ministers who resign after a serious violation of the conduct rules won’t be able to receive their payouts.
As part of broader reforms to standards and culture in parliament, the existing watchdog will be abolished. The government has described it as “toothless”.
Former ministers who accept jobs in violation of the post-government employment regulations will be required to repay any severance payments.
The work of the Advisory Committee for Business Appointments, which screens jobs taken by former ministers or senior officials in order to avoid conflict of interest will be divided between existing bodies.
The government announced that a new Ethics and Integrity Commission would replace the Committee on Standards in Public Life (established in 1994), which advised the Prime Minister on maintaining ethical standards.
The committee will be led by Lt Gen Doug Chalmers. He is a former chief of the military.
Reforms also eliminate severance payments for ministers who have served less than six months in office.
Ministers can receive a three-month severance pay, no matter how long they’ve been working or why they quit.
Ministers who return within three months after leaving office will forfeit their salary for the duration of this three-month period.
The prime minister will decide if someone has committed a “serious violation” of the Ministerial Code and make the decision about severance.
Former ministers who break the rules will be penalized financially and have to repay their severance.
The public sector unions are calling for the ministerial conduct regulations to be strengthened.
In the past, FDA General Secretary Dave Penman and Prospect General Secretary Mike Clancy both told a parliamentary committee on standards that civil servants have “zero faith” when it comes to raising complaints against former and current ministers.
Acoba can offer advice to former ministers who want to find a new job after leaving government, but they are not required to do so.
Boris Johnson, the former prime minister, broke rules when he did not consult Acoba prior to writing a column for The Daily Mail.
New rules will be in effect from the 13th of October.
Pat McFadden, Cabinet Office Minister, said: “This revamp will mean stronger rules and fewer quangos. It will also clear up accountability lines.”
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