The positions of the HSE and Environment Agency are still to be decided, according to a leaked Cabinet Office document on reform of public bodies.
The coalition government has pledged to slash the number and cost of public bodies primarily, it claims, to increase accountability. But the programme is also designed to cut costs and supports the aims of David Cameron’s Big Society plans by encouraging alternative, devolved, or non-state models of service delivery.
The BBC’s Politics Show has seen confidential government documents detailing plans to abolish 180 quangos and merge a further 124. The list reveals that the future of the HSE and the Environment Agency is “still to be decided”. The Gangmasters Licensing Authority is certain to be retained but the Health Protection Agency is to be abolished with its functions transferred to the Department of Health.
The health and safety community is still awaiting the findings of Lord Young of Graffham’s review of the profession and role of the HSE, with the Conservative Party conference a potential setting for its unveiling.
Rob Strange OBE, chief executive of IOSH, the chartered body for health and safety professionals, would not be drawn into commenting on media speculation about the Lord Young review but said: “We are looking forward to reading Lord Young’s report when it is published, as expected, in the next few weeks.”
Giving strong backing to the HSE, he added: “Its role in investigating accidents and prosecuting companies which flout the law is incredibly important. If the HSE is abolished, who will hold these companies to account?
“We can't afford to take chances. Without the HSE some industries may be tempted to cut corners in the pursuit of cost savings; it is the existence of the HSE that keeps them on their toes. We would be unwise to rely on companies to police themselves.”
Both the HSE and the Department for Work and Pensions declined to comment on the leaked list, or the Executive’s status.
