The Government has announced plans to open up Government data to the public, publishing information on topics including crime, hospital infections and Government spending. It is clear that this new transparency will lead to greater scrutiny and we have already seen headlines focusing on the fact that more than 170 civil servants are paid more than the Prime Minister’s salary.
Politics in the UK is still reeling from the expenses scandal and the events of this weekend are a timely reminder to all MPs about the dangers of a lack of transparency. The publishing of data online by the Government is part of the attempt to rehabilitate politics in the minds of the voting public.
However, there are lessons for UK businesses here, too. Being open and transparent is the key to escaping a mauling in the media when making bad news announcements. When your reputation is at stake, your recovery from a bad news announcement will be much swifter if you are viewed as open and transparent by those with an interest in your company.
Prime Minister Cameron knows this well, which is why he has opened his Government up to scrutiny. For if and when the next piece of bad news comes along, he is able to say “it is there for all to see in the public domain”, it will blunt, if not prevent, attacks on his record and that of his Ministers.
