Anti-Fraud and Corruption
The British Council creates international opportunities for the people of the UK and other countries and builds trust between them worldwide. We are committed to conducting business in accordance with the highest ethical and legal standards. The public, participants and customers have the right to expect that professional, competent and trustworthy people are employed by the British Council wherever we operate.
In line with the Fraud Act 2006 and the Bribery Act 2010, the British Council has a ‘zero tolerance’ policy towards fraud, bribery and corruption and will thoroughly investigate and seek to take disciplinary and/or legal action against those who perpetrate, are involved in, or assist with fraudulent or other improper activities in all our operations.
The British Council defines fraud as taking, attempting to take, or obtaining by deception, money or any other benefit when not entitled to that benefit.
Bribery is offering, promising, giving or receiving a financial or other inducement with the intention of encouraging or ensuring a particular outcome. Inducements can take the form of gifts, loans, fees, rewards or other advantages.
Corruption is defined as offering, giving, soliciting or acceptance of an inducement or reward that may influence the actions taken by British Council employees, agency staff, contractors and external consultants.
The British Council is committed to:
- ensuring efficient and effective systems, procedures and internal controls are in place to enable the prevention and detection of fraud, bribery and corruption
- ensuring managers identify fraud, bribery and corruption risks in their areas of business and that all systems, procedures and internal controls are properly implemented and enforced
- ensuring all members of staff understand that they have a duty to report any internal and external suspicions or incidents of fraud, bribery and corruption
- reviewing continuously our systems, procedures and internal controls through risk management processes and audit arrangements.
We will provide adequate and appropriate resources to implement this policy and will ensure it is communicated and understood.
The British Council will review this policy annually to reflect new legal and regulatory developments and to ensure best practice.
The status of this document is British Council policy. It was approved by Martin Davidson, Chief Executive, on 1 November 2011 and is due for review on 1 November 2012.
The Anti-Fraud and Corruption Policy (pdf 28kb) is also available to download.
