Home Office ministers are to move against "sleaze" and corruption in business, government and public life.

Ministers are to commit themselves in law to combating corruption which left unchecked can cause "considerable damage" to all aspects of commercial and public activity and "undermine transparent and democratic government".

"The focus of the bill is on raising standards in both public and private life and sending out a clear message across all sections of society that corrupt practices will not be tolerated," said the Home Office.

The bill will:

• Clarify and codify the law on corruption in line with developments both in this country and internationally. It would unite the various overlapping offences of corruption in a single statute to make the law easier to apply and more effective.

• Ensure that the law is comprehensive and applicable to all.

• Ensure that the UK is in line with international obligations on corruption.