Financial Transparency Coalition

Bribing foreign public officials would become an offence under anti-corruption proposals published by the Scottish Government.

The emphasis on tax transparency at the April G20 meeting in London has not dissipated; rather, it has strengthened. Governments increasingly seem determined to implement serious change. Agendas have broadened from a strict focus on tax haven secrecy to measures in the area of corporate profit-shifting.

A decision of Swedish furniture retailer IKEA to suspend further investment in Russia because of corruption is a sign that business here is still fraught with risks for international investors. While President Dmitry Medvedev has taken a clear position on anti-corruption and introduced legislation to curb official bribery, the reality is that corruption continues on a massive scale in the economy and society. However, IKEA’s response to the corruption challenge — to reduce further investment rather than pull out altogether — suggests that the risks can be managed. International companies and governments have an important role to play in...

They may have lost hundreds of thousands of pounds, but police investigating what they believe is the UK's biggest Ponzi scheme say some alleged victims cannot face coming forward to report their loss.