» Back to listing Government launches review of HSE

Employment minister Mark Hoban announced on 25 April a review of the Health and Safety Executive, as part of the Government’s commitment to reform the public sector.

In April 2011, the Cabinet Office announced that all non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) would undergo a substantive review at least every three years to ensure that their functions remain necessary, and should be delivered independently of the Government.

The review will assess whether there is a continuing need for the HSE’s functions, as well as whether it is complying with the principles of good governance.

An initial review by the Government in 2010 led to the reform of 500 public bodies. Announcing the HSE Triennial Review 2013, which will be conducted in two stages, Mr Hoban said: “In 2010, we acted to close down unnecessary public bodies and ensure that those that remained were fit to deliver public services efficiently and effectively.

“Routine reviews, such as the one I am launching, ensure that bodies such as HSE continue to be fit for purpose, and that they are providing the value for money that the taxpayer expects.”

The first stage of the review will identify and examine the key functions of the Executive. It will assess how the functions contribute to the core business of the regulator and its sponsor department the DWP, and whether these functions are still required.

If the conclusion is that the functions are still necessary, the review will then examine whether the HSE’s current constitution remains the best way to perform those functions, or if another delivery method might be more appropriate.

Responding to the minister’s announcement, the Executive’s chair, Judith Hackitt, said: “It is approaching 40 years since HSE was created, and in that time the organisation has continually adapted to keep pace with changes in industry and to ensure it continues to make a positive contribution to reducing death, injury and illness in the workplace.