Britain's new government clamped down on ministers' perks and lobbying today, trying to clean up a political system whose reputation was tarnished by scandals over sleaze and politicians’ extravagant expenses.
All major parties were damaged last year when it emerged that members of parliament had claimed on expenses for items ranging from toilet paper to the cost of cleaning a moat.
"Our new government has a particular and historic responsibility: to rebuild confidence in our political system," said Prime Minister David Cameron.
"After the scandals of recent years, people have lost faith in politics and politicians. It is our duty to restore their trust," he wrote in the foreword to a new, stricter code of conduct for ministers.
Faith in Britain's political system was rocked under the Labour government by scandals over abuse of parliamentary privileges and concerns over ex-ministers working as lobbyists for private companies.
The expenses scandal led to a public backlash and forced scores of members to leave parliament at this month's election.
In March, Labour suspended three former cabinet ministers after they were secretly filmed claiming they could use their position to influence government policy for cash.
The revised ministerial code of conduct introduces a new restriction on lobbying, saying ministers will be barred from lobbying government for two years after leaving office. Ministers who have use of an official residence, including the prime minister, will not be eligible for the accommodation allowance that members of parliament may claim.
Mr Cameron pledged before he was elected to close the loophole whereby ministers with access to official residences could still claim a second home allowance.
The new government also moved to increase public scrutiny of government by ruling that gifts worth more than £140 received and given by ministers will be published quarterly.
Hospitality received by ministers and ministers' meetings with outside organisations will be published quarterly and all ministers' overseas travel will also be made public.
The government said there would be tighter controls on the use of official cars. "Where practicable, ministers are encouraged to use public transport," the new code said.
Non-executive directors largely drawn from the private sector will be able to join the boards of government departments in a drive to improve performance.
The new government has also created a coalition committee, chaired by Mr Cameron and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, to ensure the smooth working of the coalition and resolve disputes.