In June 2025, the UK Anti Corruption Coalition (UKACC) and the Joffe Trust convened a strategic retreat for civil society tackling the UK’s dirty money problem.

Members of the coalition looked at the big picture together, to identify how to make as much progress as possible under the Labour government. External guests and donors brought rich insights. Participants rated the event as highly useful.

Four headline points emerged:

1. Members and allies of the coalition achieved impressive results by working together over the last year.

The coalition’s technical insight and influence with decision-makers is stronger than ever. Results range from ground-breaking investigations to major policy wins, informing the new government’s agenda and significant sanctions designations. A recent independent evaluation found direct influence on major legislation. These are real steps in closing the UK’s doors to the proceeds of crime and corruption around the world. However, there remains a long way further to go.

2. The next four years present a crucial opportunity and requirement to accelerate progress, in order to meet the pressing challenges of the times. 

The current UK government is sympathetic to ending the UK’s role as a global centre for dirty money. Cross-party support is strong. But the government is facing major pressures: not least, the realistic possibility of a Reform-led government in 2029. Abroad, the US and populists are rolling back anti-corruption protections and weaponising the issue. A key lesson is that centrist politics should be proactive on the issue of corruption, not cede this fertile ground to populists.

3. The coalition’s policy goals are appropriate and ambitious; but major additional areas of work are needed to achieve them.

The government lacks bandwidth, and progress towards fundamental change is far from guaranteed. Participants identified the need to increase urgency and further strengthen their work, for instance by: increasing influence with key decision-makers across government, improving the evidence base and narrative (including links to political priorities like growth) and making creative use of all tools available (such as strategic communications, legal approaches and turning up the pressure against professional enablers).

4. The Foreign Secretary’s newly announced Countering Illicit Finance Summit is a priority for collective action. 

The Summit is an excellent opportunity to encourage the UK to get its own house in order, and lead with allies on the international stage. There is scope to work creatively with allies in the Global South, the private sector and others to support progress. The coalition is enthusiastic about stepping up to this opportunity, while remaining ready to respond to the risk that the Summit falls short of expectations.

Next steps

The Joffe Trust looks forward to continuing to work with the coalition and others to meet the challenges and opportunities of the times. This may include work to:

  • Step up awareness and pressure for reform with key decision-makers, in the light of current political realities.
  • Step up pressure against UK professional services that enable illicit finance, including lawfare.
  • Support engagement with the Summit on Countering Illicit Finance.
  • Strengthen alliances, as the fight against illicit finance and corruption is a key pillar in protecting democracy and tackling climate change.

Please don’t hesitate to get in touch. We’d love to explore links to your work in any related areas.