Whistleblowing referrals at Glasgow City Council almost double

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 23 Oct, 15:33 · Archive

Glasgow City Council received 272 whistleblowing referrals in the first six months of 2026/27, nearly double the 142 from the same period the previous year.

Glasgow City Council received 272 whistleblowing referrals during the first six months of 2026/27, according to an internal audit report presented to the finance and scrutiny committee. This represents a sharp increase from 142 referrals in the equivalent period of the previous year.

The referrals covered investigations into council tax, non-domestic rates, parking for the disabled and complaints about staff and services. Additional complaints involved tenancy fraud, theft, embezzlement and allegations of staff corruption and abuse of power.

By 30 September 2026, investigations into 225 of the referrals had been concluded, whilst 47 remained ongoing. Councillor Stephen Curran expressed concern about the increase at the committee meeting, saying he was 'very troubled' by the rise in referrals, though he welcomed the whistleblowing mechanism itself. He asked council officers to quantify the additional time and resources required to handle the increase.

A council officer explained that the variety of whistleblowing activities received is 'incredibly wide' and it is 'very difficult to quantify easily' the resources required for each case.

How it is being reported

• Glasgow City Council whistleblowing referrals almost double to 272 in six monthsGlasgow City Council whistleblowing referrals almost doubled to 272 in six months, covering council tax, Blue Badges, fraud and staff misconduct amid concerns.Glasgow Times · 23 Oct, 14:59
• Concerns as whistleblowing referrals at Glasgow City Council soar compared to last yearMany of these referrals included investigations on council tax and non domestic rates, parking for the disabled and complaints over staff/services.Glasgow Live · 22 Oct, 16:44

In this story: Glasgow City Council · Stephen Curran · Glasgow

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