Mark Whitehead 13 December 2017

Government failing to act on public inquiries despite £639m bill finds report

The Government has spent huge amounts of money on public inquiries in recent years but usually fail to follow them up, according to new research.

The Institute for Government says 68 public inquiries have taken place since 1990 at a cost of £639m, but only six have been fully reviewed by MPs to see what happened as a result.

The institute's report 'How public inquiries can lead to change' says Parliament must hold government to account by requiring it to provide yearly progress updates to select committees.

It says there are eight inquiries currently taking place covering issues ranging from the Grenfell Tower disaster to Child Sexual Abuse to Contaminated Blood.

The institute says public inquiries have delivered valuable changes from effective gun control after the Dunblane massacre to the creation of the Rail Accident Investigation Branch after the Ladbroke Grove and Southall rail crashes.

But it says there are no formal checks or procedures to make sure they lead to meaningful change.

The report's author Emma Norris said: 'The implementation of findings is patchy and there is no proper procedure for holding government to account for change.

'Government needs to systematically provide a full and detailed response to inquiry findings and select committees need to make the follow-up to inquiry recommendations a core part of their work.'

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Educational Psychologist

North Yorkshire Council
£47,688 - £57,954 per annum, pro rata
This is an exciting time within North Yorkshire Council’s Educational Psychology service. Harrogate, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

School Crossing Patrol

North Yorkshire Council
£12.85- £13.47 per hour
Do you have half an hour to spare in the morning or afternoon? Easingwold, York
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Independent Reviewing Officer

North Yorkshire Council
From £47,181 up to £51,356 per annum pro rata + relocation support
The service is countywide and therefore candidates will be expected to work across other locality areas as needed to meet service demand. Harrogate, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Independent Reviewing Officer

North Yorkshire Council
From £47,181 up to £51,356 per annum pro rata + relocation support
The service is countywide and therefore candidates will be expected to work across other locality areas as needed to meet service demand. Selby, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Social Worker - Family Support and Protection, North Essex

Essex County Council
£37185.0000 - £50081.0000 per annum
Social Worker - Family Support and Protection, North EssexPermanent, Full Time*£37,185 to £50,081 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council
Linkedin Banner