The UK and US have fallen to new lows in the global Corruption Perceptions Index, showing a worrying decline in democratic trust. The index, by Transparency International, ranks 182 countries by perceived public sector corruption. Denmark leads with the lowest corruption, while South Sudan is at the bottom. The UK slipped from 7th place in 2015 to 20th in 2025, scoring 70 out of 100. High political donations and cronyism hurt the UK's position. The Conservatives accepted £15m from a single donor within a year, linked to racist remarks. Labour's top donor gained privileged access to No 10. The report warns that ties between politicians and Jeffrey Epstein's circle keep scandals alive. Daniel Bruce, CEO of Transparency International UK, said, "This persistent decline is not a temporary blip – it risks becoming a defining feature of our political culture." The UK government has plans to strengthen public life standards and combat corruption. Meanwhile, the US dropped from 28th to 29th place with its lowest score of 64. The report warned that events in 2025 under Donald Trump's second presidency could worsen this. It cited "targeting independent voices, politicised prosecutions, and undermined judicial independence." Only seven countries scored 80 or above, with Denmark at the top for the eighth year. South Sudan and Somalia were the worst performers. Transparency International lamented falling scores amid global tensions, conflicts, and the climate crisis. The group called for strong leadership and independent institutions to fight corruption. A UK government spokesperson said the anti-corruption strategy targets corrupt actors and strengthens democracy protection, with £15m for an expanded corruption unit.