Protecting and valuing whistleblowers

Early day motion 831, tabled 2 September 2020 by Philippa Whitford (Scottish National Party). Signed by 21 members.

That this House recognises that the Public Interest Disclosure Act (1998) does not provide a sufficient degree of protection for employees who ‘whistleblow‘ or raise concerns with their employers, whether in public service or private business, when they identify a risk to personal safety, the environment or of fraud, particularly when this results from a failure to observe pertinent, guidance, regulations or laws; believes that a replacement of the Act is necessary to ensure that employees are sufficiently protected so they have confidence to disclose their concerns; and further believes that an Independent Whistleblower Commission should be established, to set standards so that such concerns are thoroughly investigated and the findings acted on, whilst protecting ‘whistleblowers’ from recrimination or mistreatment.

Signatures by party: Scottish National Party 11, DUP 2, Independent 2, Labour 2, Plaid Cymru 2, Conservative 1, Green 1.