MAI-61 Response Accepted AI-assessed

Independent inspection regime for LRFs

Recommendation

Local resilience forums have a vital role in the preparation for the response to any Major Incident. The Cabinet Office and the Home Office should consider implementing an independent inspection regime for local resilience forums.

Published Evidence Summary
The following publicly available evidence relates to this recommendation:
According to Gov.uk recommendations dashboard, 27 Feb 2026, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) is developing proposals for a new peer review protocol for Local Resilience Forums (LRFs), with testing anticipated to begin later in 2025/26. According to Gov.uk recommendations dashboard, 27 Feb 2026, this work is a step towards oversight but does not yet constitute an established independent inspection regime and according to JESIP Joint Doctrine v3.1, April 2024, the JESIP Joint Doctrine was updated to v3.1 in April 2024, reforming Operation Plato and extending emphasis beyond command-level responders.
How was this assessed?
Assessed by gemini-2.5-flash on 19 Mar 2026
Checked data held on this site (government responses, progress updates, independent evidence)
External sources searched: www.gov.uk, mainquiry.dac.grid.civilservice.gov.uk, www.legislation.gov.uk, hansard.parliament.uk
Jurisdiction
UK-wide
Response
Accepted
Accepted UK Government
03 Nov 2022

The Home Secretary made a written statement to Parliament on 3 November 2022 following publication of Volume 2, acknowledging the findings on emergency response failures and stating the government would work with emergency services to implement improvements. The response committed to reviewing interoperability arrangements between emergency services and strengthening joint training and exercising protocols for major incidents.

Read Full Response
Progress Timeline
Official Report
27 Feb 2026

MHCLG is working on proposals for a new peer review protocol for local resilience forums, which we hope to begin testing later in 2025/26.

Official Report
14 Nov 2025

MHCLG is working on proposals for a new peer review protocol for local resilience forums, which we hope to begin testing later in 2025/26.

Published Evidence

Published assessments of implementation progress from inspectorates, select committees, official progress reports, and other sources. Check the source type badge to see whether each assessment is independent or government self-reported.

Reasonable Progress
14 Nov 2025
Cabinet Office Other

Government published formal Manchester Arena Inquiry recommendations dashboard on GOV.UK (14 November 2025) tracking all 149 recommendations with implementation progress updates.

Manchester Arena Inquiry recommendations dashboar… View Source
Reasonable Progress
03 Apr 2025
UK Parliament legislation

Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 received Royal Assent 3 April 2025. Creates two tiers: Standard Duty (200-799 capacity) and Enhanced Duty (800+). SIA will be regulator. Not yet in force -- at least 24 months before enforcement (expected April 2027).

Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 View Source
Good Progress
01 Apr 2024
JESIP Other

JESIP Joint Doctrine updated to v3.1 (April 2024) following inquiry findings on interoperability failures. Operation Plato reformed to cover all terrorist attack types, not just firearms. Emphasis extended beyond command-level to frontline responders.

JESIP Joint Doctrine Version 3.1, April 2024 View Source
Reasonable Progress
05 Jun 2023
National Police Chiefs Council Other

NPCC, Counter Terrorism Policing and College of Policing provided comprehensive updates to Sir John Saunders demonstrating "continued drive to improve collective response to terrorist incidents."

View detailed findings

Representatives working with UK Intelligence Community to address closed Volume Three recommendations. Cross-government monitoring ongoing.

NPCC Monitored Recommendation Hearings Update View Source
Source
Report Manchester Arena Inquiry: Volume 2: Emergency Response 03 Nov 2022
Responsible Bodies
Home Office Primary
Cabinet Office
Local Resilience Forums
Recommendation age 3.4 yrs
Last formal update 27 Feb 2026