Whistleblowing framework review highlights challenges and areas for reform
A government-commissioned review of the current whistleblowing regime has flagged legal uncertainty, limited internal procedures, and inconsistent support for whistleblowers.
Government review published
The government has published the findings of a research study into the effectiveness of the whistleblowing framework in Great Britain. Commissioned by the previous Conservative government in 2023, the review aimed to evaluate how well the current regime meets the objectives of the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998.
Key issues identified include uncertainty around legal definitions (such as “worker”, 'reasonable belief', and 'public interest'), a lack of statutory clarity on what constitutes a whistleblower or what protection entails, and widespread dissatisfaction with the employment tribunal process. The report also highlights that many organisations either lack internal whistleblowing procedures or operate frameworks that are poorly aligned with the legal regime, leading to confusion and unmet expectations.
The report stops short of making formal recommendations or drawing conclusions on the framework’s overall effectiveness. It remains to be seen whether and how the government will act on its findings.
We will continue to report on developments.
For more information or advice, please contact Khadija Khatun in our Employment team.