UK reforms post-government ethics: stricter rules, oversight, and bans on severance for misconduct.

The UK has overhauled its post-government ethics rules under Prime Minister Keir Starmer, scrapping the ineffective Advisory Committee on Business Appointments and transferring its duties to Sir Laurie Magnus and the Civil Service Commission. Former ministers must now seek approval from Magnus before taking any outside roles for two years, while higher-grade civil servants face a one- to two-year cooling-off period. A new Ethics and Integrity Commission, led by Doug Chalmers, will coordinate oversight and ensure compliance with the upcoming Hillsborough law. A ban on severance payments for ministers who leave after a serious breach of the ministerial code also takes effect, aiming to restore public trust.