Office of the Whistleblower Bill [HL]

Key Points

• Establishes the Office of the Whistleblower with powers to receive, assess and, where appropriate, refer or investigate disclosures.
• Provides protections for whistleblowers against detriment and safeguards for confidentiality.
• Sets governance and accountability requirements, including reporting to Parliament and funding arrangements.
• Clarifies the relationship with existing whistleblowing protections and duties on organisations to cooperate and comply with the Office’s guidance.
• Outlines the scope of the Office’s work across both public and private sectors to promote safe and effective whistleblowing channels.

Progress

The bill is currently at the 2nd reading in the House of Lords and is in the early stages of passage. It will move to committee scrutiny next, with further stages in the Lords and, if amended, in the House of Commons.