The government has launched a review of the current whistleblowing framework. The review is being led by the Department for Business and trade (DBT) and is expected to conclude in the autumn.
The review follows an announcement in March 2021 that a review of whistleblower protection would take place following data published by the whistleblowing advice service Protect which showed that one in four Covid-19 whistleblowers who contacted its advice line were dismissed.
The review will cover central topics, key to the whistleblowing framework. The core research questions are:
- How has the whistleblowing framework facilitated disclosures?
- How has the whistleblowing framework protected workers?
- Is whistleblowing information available and accessible for workers, employers, prescribed persons and others?
- What does best practice look like in responding to disclosures?
The review will also cover who is covered by whistleblowing protections, and will examine evidence on the definition of work for whistleblowing purposes.
