William Eichler 03 May 2016

Decline in regulation is 'social murder', report claims

An average business can now expect a local authority health and safety inspection only once in every 20 years, according to a report into the decline of regulation.

The study, entitled Better Regulation: Better for Whom?, found that between 2004 and 2013 there were 34% fewer food standards inspections and 28% fewer prosecutions.

Food poisoning leads to some 20,000 people being hospitalised and 500 deaths each year. According to the report's author, Professor Steve Tombs, these are probably underestimates.

Published by the Centre for Crime and Justice Studies, the report also discovered there were 53% fewer health and safety inspections and 40% fewer prosecutions during this same period.

There were also, it says, 56% fewer environmental health inspections and 40% fewer prosecutions.

The report argues this is the result of the privatisation of regulatory and enforcement activities, and a shift to business self-regulation.

Professor Tombs said: 'This is not about rules, regulations and red tape. It is about lives lost and shortened and the health of communities, workers and consumers made poorer.

'This is avoidable business-generated, state facilitated social murder. And quite remarkably, it proceeds daily, met largely by political silence.'

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Standards, Compliance and Development Manager - Children’s residential provisions

Oxfordshire County Council
£57187.00 - £60485.00
This role will lead on Quality Assurance, Standards development, and Regulatory compliance for Oxfordshire’s residential children’s provision, including the unregulated reforms 2022. The post holder will conduct internal inspections within the registe Countywide
Recuriter: Oxfordshire County Council

Streetcare LGV Driver / Operative - WMF2112e

Westmorland and Furness Council
£27,711 - £28,624
Westmorland and Furness Council are seeking to employ an enthusiastic and motivated person into a Street Cleansing role Cumbria
Recuriter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Specialist Communication Support Worker (CDC)

City Of Doncaster Council
Grade 7, £27,259 - £29,955 (pay award pending)
The City of Doncaster Council puts improving the life of its residents at the centre of everything we do. Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Recuriter: City Of Doncaster Council

Apprentice Social Value

Durham County Council
£14,566
Earn. Learn. Qualify.   Do you want to earn while you learn, with the chance of progression once you qualify? Do you want the opportunity to grow, dev Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Pay Reward and Employment Services Support Officers

Durham County Council
£25,584 to £27,711 p.a. (Grade 5) Pay Award Pending
An exciting opportunity has arisen for ten Pay, Reward & Employment Services Support Officers to join our CIPP accredited team.   WHAT IS INVOLVED?  Spennymoor
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner