21-07-2025
Starmer tightens rules on ministers' severance pay in major shake-up
Sir Keir Starmer is implementing a significant overhaul of the system for ministerial severance pay and public appointments.
Under the new regulations, ministers will only be eligible for severance payments if they have served for more than six months, or if they have not committed a serious breach of the ministerial code.
The Advisory Committee for Business Appointments (Acoba) will be abolished and replaced by a new Ethics and Integrity Commission, formed from the Committee on Standards in Public Life.
These reforms are designed to address concerns over taxpayer costs, such as the £3 million spent on severance fees during the 2022 political instability, and to prevent payouts for short-term ministerial stints.
Furthermore, former ministers who violate business appointment rules will be required to repay any severance pay they received.
