The UK and US have sunk to new lows in a global index of corruption, amid a “worrying trend” of democratic institutions being eroded by political donations, cash for access and state targeting of campaigners and journalists. The Corruption Perceptions Index, organised by the campaign group Transparency International, identified an overall global deterioration, as 31 countries improved their score, while 50 declined. Explaining the slight decline, Transparency International highlighted concerns linked to the two major political parties that contested the 2024 general election. “This persistent decline is not a temporary blip – it risks becoming a defining feature of our political culture,” said Daniel Bruce, the chief executive of Transparency International UK. Transparency International lamented the “worrying trend” of declining scores, particularly in democracies where institutions have previously been stronger.

Source: The Guardian February 10, 2026 07:30 UTC