TIPS Newsletter | Feb 2026 - TI: Corruption Perceptions Index 2025 – Integrity Under Pressure

Dear TIPS member,

In January 2026, Transparency International released the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2025, ranking perceived public sector corruption across 182 countries and territories using 13 independent data sources and a 0–100 scale (0 = highly corrupt). The report highlights that the global average fell to 42/100—the first drop in more than a decade—with 122 countries scoring below 50 and only five scoring above 80. Some key takeaways:

• The CPI flags a worrying backsliding among several established democracies, including the United States (64), the United Kingdom (70), France (66), Canada (75) and New Zealand (81), underscoring that strong systems can still weaken when oversight, enforcement and political integrity erode.

• Across countries with significant declines since 2012, TI identifies a common pattern: shrinking civic space and weakened freedoms of expression, association and assembly make it harder for journalists, watchdogs and whistleblowers to expose wrongdoing, allowing corrupt networks to operate with greater impunity.

  
  

To reverse these trends, TI calls on governments to protect independent and accessible justice institutions, regulate political finance and lobbying, strengthen transparency in public spending, safeguard civic space and anti-corruption reporting, and cooperate to curb cross-border corruption, money laundering and illicit financial flows.

Please see below the TIPS Newsletter for February 2026. We look forward to seeing you soon.

 - the TIPS team

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1. Upcoming Events (register on our Events page)

TIPS | Trade Wars & Compliance Flaws: Export Controls in the Spotlight

24 March 2026, 6.30-8.30pm GMT, PwC, London (Register here)

TL4 | Legal Threats in a High-Risk World: Exploring Fraud, Corruption and Asset Defence Strategies

16 March 2026, 1-2pm GMT, Virtual (Register here)

FID Fraud & FinCrime| Navigating the Evolving World of Fraud and Financial Crime Prevention

18 March 2026, London (Register here)

TL4 | The Anti-Bribery & Corruption Forum – 3^rd Annual

21 April 2026, The Dilly, London (Register here)

C5 | Global Anti-Corruption Compliance & Risk Management

21-22 April 2026, The Royal Horseguards Hotel, London (Register here)

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2. Recent Events

TIPS | Money in Politics & Anti-Corruption

On 26 February, the TIPS Network hosted a discussion featuring Duncan Hames (Director of Policy & Programmes, Transparency International UK), Kamila Kingstone (Defending Democracy Programme Lead, Spotlight on Corruption), John Oxley (Bright Blue), and Anouschka Rajah (More in Common UK).

The panellists explored how money shapes political influence in the UK, examining trends in public trust, the evolving regulatory landscape, and the implications of the upcoming Elections Bill for transparency and corporate lobbying. The discussion also considered how companies can navigate increasing scrutiny around political engagement and lobbying activity.

We thank S-RM for kindly hosting, and Tom Roberts (Manager, PwC and TIPS Managing Committee Member) for moderating the discussion.

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3. Jobs Board

Global Compliance Investigations Manager, Boston Consulting Group, London. Apply here.

Financial Crime Business Analyst – Vice President, Deloitte, London. Apply here.

Fraud Manager – Apple Pay, Apple Wallet, Apple, London. Apply here.

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4. Items of Interest

TI Publications

• Corruption Perceptions Index 2025: UK Corruption concerns risk becoming ‘new normal’. Read here.

• When Corruption concerns become the ‘new normal’. See here.

• Elections bill – new rules will still allow the super-rich to buy political influence. See here.

• The Mandelson-Epstein emails – what do they reveal about Britain’s broken lobbying system? See here.

• Corruption Perceptions Index 2025: Decline in leadership undermining global fight against corruption. See here.

• Civil Society Counter-Antwerp Declaration. See here.

TI blogs

• Mapping corruption risks to address historical land injustices in Africa. See here.

Podcasts

• Kickback – The Global Anticorruption Podcast 145:  Maria Nizzero on the kleptocratic enterprise. Listen here.

Other items

• Towards a Convention on Crimes against Humanity: Key Recommendations for Ongoing Negotiations. See here.

• Evaluating the evidence base for the UK’s 2025 Anti-Corruption Strategy. See here.

• Corruption and the Mandelson-Epstein affair. See here.

• German Court Sentences Key Figure in Massive Call Centre Scam Operation Exposed by OCCRP. See here.

• Police.AI – New Tech Tools for UK Law Enforcement. See here.

• Banning crypto donations – Why prevention is better than cure. See here.

• New Representation of the People Bill – Still far to go to protect UK democracy. See here.

• Collapse of major bribery prosecution triggers review of disclosure in 20 SFO cases. See here.

• No more tinkering – root and branch reform of how politicians are held to account is now essential. See here.

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5. Focus on...

Jem Mills-Sheehy 

Senior Communications and Engagement Officer, Transparency International UK

Why did you get involved with the TIPS Network?

I decided to become involved with TIPS after attending several of their events shortly after starting at Transparency International UK and appreciating the strong community they had built. TIPS brings together like-minded professionals who are committed to tackling corruption.

Please describe your experience as part of the TIPS Network.

My experience on the TIPS Committee has been extremely positive. It is one of the most well-run organising committees I have been involved with, made up of intelligent, friendly people who are always willing to collaborate on events, newsletters, and other initiatives. It has also been a valuable learning experience. Coming from the charity sector, working with professionals from different industries has provided new perspectives on tackling corruption. Above all, it has been very enjoyable.

Connect with Jem on LinkedIn here.