Who are spring venture group competitors7/26/2023 ![]() This is especially relevant as Shell has an active interest in UK government policy that is currently under discussion. Given Sir Charles’ role at the very centre of HMT, there are risks attached to his potential to offer unfair influence or access to government. Sir Charles is prevented from drawing on privileged information and has an ongoing duty of confidentiality.The government has set, and then revised, a new direction for UK tax policy after Sir Charles left his role and HMT confirmed he has no privileged information about the current government’s economic strategy. Sir Charles had no involvement or responsibility for business or oil and gas tax and energy policy is the responsibility of the department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, not HMT.HMT previously advised the Committee any policy matters Sir Charles was involved in will have moved on within 6 months of his last day in Crown service - not least as a result of there being significant changes in the Prime Ministers, Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Cabinet in September and October, after Sir Charles left office in June 2022 HMT informed the Committee that its policy moves quickly as it evolves and is finalised and published (for example, regular budgetary announcements). The Committee took into account there are a number of mitigating factors that help to reduce the risks associated with Sir Charles’ access to information and insight that may be seen to offer Shell an unfair advantage: The Committee considered there is a risk that Shell may be considered to gain from his privileged insight that is unavailable to its competitors. Given Sir Charles’ former role as Second Permanent Secretary, he will have had oversight of a wide range of information and policy that may provide an unfair advantage to a broad range of organisations. As a result there is no evidence Sir Charles made any decisions in expectation of this role. These decisions impacted whole sectors not just Shell. He did make decisions on sanctions concerning Russia following the invasion of Ukraine. Sir Charles was aware of but not personally involved or responsible for this policy work. HMT is responsible for taxation, including oil and gas taxation policy and business tax policy. The Committee noted there is no funding relationship between HMT and Shell and HMT does not have a regulatory relationship with Shell. Sir Charles met with Shell as part of wider HMT consultations with the industry on the UK retail market on Shell’s plans to invest more in UK energy supply and was kept informed by Shell on its decision to relocate its head office to London. When considering this application, the Committee2 noted as an energy company there is a stakeholder relationship between Shell and HMT. ![]() The Committee’s consideration of the risk presented FormerĬrown servants are expected to uphold the highest standards of propriety and act inĪccordance with the 7 Principles of Public Life. It is anĪpplicant’s personal responsibility to manage the propriety of any appointment. The Rules set out that Crown servants must abide by the Committee’s advice. The Committee has advised that a number of conditions be imposed to mitigate the potential risks to the government associated with this appointment under the Rules this is not an endorsement of this appointment in any other respect. The Committee also considered the information provided by the department. Role as Second Permanent Secretary at HMT and the nature of Shell’s work - which has some potential to overlap with his time in office. The Committee considered whether this work was unsuitable given Sir Charles’ former Made during Sir Charles’ time in office, alongside the information and influence a former Second Permanent Secretary at HMT may offer Shell. The Committee’s remit is to consider the risks associated with the actions and decisions The purpose of the Rules is to protect the integrity of the government. The material information taken into consideration by the Committee is set out in the annex. Sir Charles sought advice from the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (the Committee) under the government’s Business Appointments Rules for former Crown servants (the Rules) on his proposal to work with Shell PLC (Shell). BUSINESS APPOINTMENT APPLICATION: Sir Charles Roxburgh KCB, former Second Permanent Secretary at His Majesty’s Treasury (HMT).
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