William Eichler 06 November 2025

Burnham backs independent scandal watchdog

Burnham backs independent scandal watchdog image
Flowers laid to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster that killed 96 spectators ©kenny1/Shutterstock.com

Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, has backed a call for establishing an independent watchdog with legal powers to investigate institutional scandals.

The proposal to launch an Independent Office for Institutional Accountability – backed by the Coalition for Institutional Accountability – aims to restore public trust and provide justice for victims of abuse.

‘Rebuilding trust in our public institutions is not just important – it's urgent. Too many people have suffered harm and then faced years of delay before seeing justice,’ said Burnham.

‘Real change demands that we put people and communities, especially survivors, at the centre of how our institutions operate. The recent Hillsborough Bill, for example, has been an important step in bringing accountability.

‘That's why I welcome the launch of the Coalition for Institutional Accountability. Their commitment to survivor-led, community-driven reform is exactly what's needed to restore faith and drive genuine, lasting change in Britain's institutions.’

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LocalGov Weekly Round Up

A pivotal week for councils sees fresh devolution plans, new service pilots and key legal and political battles, writes LocalGov editor William Eichler.
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