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Lord Evans, Chair of the Committee on Standards in Public Life, has written an open letter to public sector leaders to prompt reflection and discussion on the importance of ethical leadership in the UK.

The Committee has published 鈥�Leading in Practice鈥� a new report which shares examples and case studies gathered from public and private sector organisations on maintaining ethical organisational practices.

Lord Evans said:

鈥淭he demands on public sector leaders are numerous and diverse. They are leading government departments and public bodies that are often grappling with highly complex challenges - and it must be tempting to focus on delivery above all else.

鈥淒oing things in the right way and in the public interest is critical for public confidence in the bodies that operate on the public鈥檚 behalf and supports the delivery of public services. A robust ethical culture supports effective risk management - if people see thinking about ethical issues as part of their job and feel safe to speak up, this can pick up potential concerns before they escalate. A values-driven culture is also good for morale and can help attract and retain the highest calibre staff.

鈥淥ur evidence shows that an ethical culture does not emerge by accident. It requires discussion and action.

鈥淲e recognise there is no 鈥榦ne-size-fits-all鈥� solution. Our report shares examples of how聽different organisations have sought to build ethical values into their policies, practices and ways of working. In some cases, this came about following a聽crisis and in others,聽a realisation that聽new systems and processes were needed to support their employees. We share them, not as a聽鈥榞old聽standard鈥� to reach but聽as a source of聽ideas and inspiration.

鈥淲e have identified 20 questions for leaders to help them reflect on whether there is more they can do to support their people to think about the Principles of Public Life and integrate them into all aspects of how their organisation operates. We want our report to prompt reflection, discussion and action.鈥�

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Download Leading in Practice

Seven principles of public life

Notes to Editors

1. Interview requests and media enquiries should go to Maggie O鈥橞oyle on 07880 740627.
2. The independent Committee on Standards in Public Life advises the Prime Minister on arrangements for upholding ethical standards of conduct across public life in England.
3. The current members of the Committee are: Lord (Jonathan) Evans of Weardale, Chairman, Rt Hon Dame Margaret Beckett DBE MP (Labour), Ewen Fergusson, Dame Shirley Pearce DBE, Professor Gillian Peele and Baroness (Simone) Finn (Conservative). The Committee is currently carrying two vacancies for an independent member and a political member.
4. You can follow the Committee on Twitter
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