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UK 'failing to stop corrupt money' entering the country | UK 'failing to stop corrupt money' entering the country |
(about 3 hours later) | |
The UK's "woefully inadequate" money laundering systems are failing to block "corrupt money" and terrorist funds, an anti-corruption body has warned. | The UK's "woefully inadequate" money laundering systems are failing to block "corrupt money" and terrorist funds, an anti-corruption body has warned. |
Transparency International UK said billions of pounds of "dirty cash" is entering Britain every year. | Transparency International UK said billions of pounds of "dirty cash" is entering Britain every year. |
But a fragmented network of regulators means that only a very small amount is being investigated. | But a fragmented network of regulators means that only a very small amount is being investigated. |
Of 22 supervisory bodies, only one meets best practice for enforcement action, the group found. | Of 22 supervisory bodies, only one meets best practice for enforcement action, the group found. |
Rachel Davies, a senior advocacy manager at the group, said: "Given that the Prime Minister has rightly said that dirty cash is not welcome in the UK, it is appalling that a shambolic system is failing to stop that flow." | Rachel Davies, a senior advocacy manager at the group, said: "Given that the Prime Minister has rightly said that dirty cash is not welcome in the UK, it is appalling that a shambolic system is failing to stop that flow." |
She said total fines last year in the seven sectors regulated by HMRC, including estate agents, were £768,000, less than the average house price in central London. | She said total fines last year in the seven sectors regulated by HMRC, including estate agents, were £768,000, less than the average house price in central London. |
David Cameron promised in July to make it harder for UK properties to be bought with "plundered or laundered cash". | David Cameron promised in July to make it harder for UK properties to be bought with "plundered or laundered cash". |
Enforcement | Enforcement |
Transparency International urged the government to go further by stripping the various private sector institutions and professional bodies of their anti-money laundering roles, and creating a "super" supervisor instead. | Transparency International urged the government to go further by stripping the various private sector institutions and professional bodies of their anti-money laundering roles, and creating a "super" supervisor instead. |
However, others said that rather than a radical overhaul, more funding was needed for existing regulators. | However, others said that rather than a radical overhaul, more funding was needed for existing regulators. |
Neill Blundell, a partner at law firm Eversheds, said: "The current anti-money laundering regime has been described as draconian by some observers so the issue here is not about changing laws but properly enforcing the ones we do have." | Neill Blundell, a partner at law firm Eversheds, said: "The current anti-money laundering regime has been described as draconian by some observers so the issue here is not about changing laws but properly enforcing the ones we do have." |
HMRC said it used a "wide range of tough sanctions" against money laundering offences, including prosecutions and asset seizures. |
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