Partner Ian Hargreaves comments on proposed whistleblower rewards in The Times and City AM

Commenting in The Times and City AM, Partner Ian Hargreaves discusses the UK Government’s consultation on introducing financial rewards for whistleblowers who report economic crime.

 

“While the consultation is a welcome step forward, the question of whether whistleblowers should be financially rewarded remains divisive. There are mixed views on how effective such incentives will be, with some arguing it is morally problematic to encourage people to blow the whistle for financial reward. The argument is that it should be a public and social duty, without the need to be paid. However, whistleblowers must also be protected against retaliation or more sinister treatment, which is covered to an extent under employment legislation, although arguably not as effectively as it should be.

“This was strongly pushed by the former Director of the SFO, Nick Ephgrave, who was keen to introduce an enhanced statutory whistleblowing scheme offering financial incentives. The SFO has been in limbo since his departure, with a caretaker Director in place pending a new appointment. Ephgrave must be pleased to see this news, notwithstanding that it is only a consultation at present.

“The UK Government will almost certainly look at whistleblowing models in other jurisdictions, such as the US. There is also a substantial body of research on the issue, so I doubt this will be a quick process or one that fails to raise strongly opposing views.”

Ian’s comments were published in The Times, City AM and Financial Reporter, 12 October 2026, and Law360 and New Law Journal, 14 October 2026. His comments were also republished by The Times, 15 October 2026, and The Law Society Gazette, 16 October 2026.