Building an effective whistleblowing framework can be complex. We asked Jon, our Client Relationship Director, who has spent 14 years working closely with organisations at Protect (it’s fair to say he knows this space inside out) to share his insights on what organisations can expect when working with Protect, the common challenges they face, and the real impact of getting whistleblowing right.
Lots to keep and eye on in 2026 for businesses and employers. New rules from the FCA, Provision 29 is introducing more responsibilities for board members, and lots of opportunities to engage with Protect in the new year!
Looking ahead to 2026, several major developments will shape whistleblowing law and practice; key whistleblowing cases to watch, The Hillsborough Bill, the regulators project, implementing the Employment Rights Bill and of course, World Whistleblowers Day. Mark your calendars!
The government has finally launched its long-awaited anti-corruption strategy – more than two years in the making. Setting out the UK’s approach to tackling corruption it explicitly acknowledges the serious threat it poses to our national security and political system. Protect attended the launch as a key stakeholder, alongside other organisations working at the forefront of anti-corruption efforts.
MPs have had their first opportunity to vote on and debate the Public Office (Accountability) Bill – better known as the Hillsborough Law. Championed by the Hillsborough families and campaigners its being presented as a way to prevent future state cover-ups such as the one they faced after the Hillsborough disaster.
From the start of September 2025, the rules on fraud got tougher. Under the new Failure to Prevent Fraud offence in the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act (ECCTA), large organisations can now face unlimited fines if they benefit from fraud – even when senior leaders had no direct involvement. The message is clear: ignorance is not a defence and turning a blind eye is no longer an option.
Embedding the Code of Ethics is challenge for any employer. But how can we ensure staff engage with and embody their organisation’s beliefs and values? In this blog we look at one approach that flips ethics on its head and breaks down barriers to Speaking Up.
On the afternoon on Monday 15th September the government voted to overturn an amendment in the Employment Rights Bill to strengthen protections for whistleblowers. The amendment – which had been voted in by peers in the House of Lords – would have required the government to broaden unfair dismissal grounds and, for the first time, require large employers to take reasonable steps to investigate whistleblowing concerns.
The long-awaited Public Office (Accountability) “Hillsborough” Bill has been published aimed at ending ‘the culture of cover-ups and hiding the truth, ensuring transparency, accountability, and support for bereaved families’. The closing of ranks and cover ups from people who should be protecting the public formed an all too depressing theme for many disasters including the Grenfell Tower fire, the Infected Blood Scandal and the Post Office/Horizon scandal. However, candour means always telling the truth – not just to coroners and inquiry chairs – and the Bill’s ambitious aims will not be realised if whistleblowers are too afraid to come forward, or if – when they do – their concerns are ignored.
In the UK, financial regulators regularly benefit when whistleblowers pass on information but they rarely step in to protect individuals if their employer penalizes them for speaking up. With the Serious Fraud Office and HMRC now planning to introduce US-style whistleblower reward schemes to compensate people who report corporate crime within their own organisation, for Financial Regulation International’s whistleblowing special issue, we explored what lessons could be learnt from across the pond.
