The Business Appointment Rules govern the take-up of private or third-sector employment by former ministers and Crown servants (civil servants, diplomats, members of the Armed Forces and members of the security services). ACoBA is an independent committee which advises the Prime Minister and government departments on the application of the Business Appointment Rules.
The Committee has considered the following issues:
- the effectiveness of the Business Appointment Rules, as revised in 2011, in ensuring propriety in the future employment of former minsters and Crown servants;
- the membership and powers of ACoBA; and
- the potential of the Big Society agenda and current civil service reforms to increase traffic through the ‘revolving door’ between business and the voluntary sector and the Civil Service.