Ethics & Civil Service Values Flashcards

Under the UK constitutional convention of ministerial responsibility, to whom are civil servants ultimately accountable?

Answer: To Parliament through their ministers

Civil servants are accountable to Parliament through their ministers — the convention of ministerial responsibility means ministers answer to Parliament for the actions of their departments.

The 'duty of honesty' in the Civil Service Code means a civil servant must do which of the following?

Answer: Not deceive or knowingly mislead ministers, Parliament, or others they deal with

Honesty in the Civil Service Code means civil servants must not deceive or knowingly mislead ministers, Parliament, or anyone they deal with in their official capacity.

What does the Bribery Act 2010 require regarding overseas facilitation payments made by civil servants?

Answer: Such payments are generally prohibited, even if they reflect local business custom

The Bribery Act 2010 generally prohibits facilitation payments regardless of local custom, taking a stricter approach than the legislation of many other countries.

What does the 'Business Appointment Rules' process require of civil servants who are leaving public service?

Answer: They must seek approval before taking up certain private sector roles within a specified period

The Business Appointment Rules require departing civil servants to seek approval before taking private sector roles where they could exploit privileged government information or create conflicts of interest.

Which of the following best describes 'accountability' as one of the Nolan Principles?

Answer: Holders of public office must submit themselves to appropriate scrutiny of their decisions

Accountability as a Nolan Principle means holders of public office must submit themselves to whatever scrutiny is appropriate to their role and must not obstruct that scrutiny.

A civil servant discovers that a colleague has been misusing government IT resources for personal financial gain. What is the most appropriate action under the Civil Service Code?

Answer: Report the matter through the department's internal reporting or whistleblowing procedure

Misuse of public resources breaches the Civil Service Code, and civil servants have a duty to report suspected wrongdoing through internal procedures, with protections available under whistleblowing legislation.

What is the primary purpose of the Seven Principles of Public Life in the context of civil service ethics?

Answer: To set out the ethical standards expected of all those who hold public office

The Seven Principles of Public Life provide an ethical framework — not a legally binding code — that underpins public trust in those who exercise public power or manage public resources.