P2-51 Response Accepted in Part AI-assessed

Local authority biennial audits and peer review

Recommendation

The mortuary service must be reviewed by professional auditors at least biennially, with the results of the audit reported to a formal committee regardless of the level of assurance. Local authorities must arrange a peer review of the mortuary service at least every three years.

Published Evidence Summary
The following publicly available evidence relates to this recommendation:
According to the government, it accepted in principle the recommendation for local authority mortuary services to undergo biennial professional audits and triennial peer reviews. As of December 2025, the government stated it was assessing audit and peer review requirements (Government Interim Update, December 2025). No specific requirements or guidance have been published.
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, questions-statements.parliament.uk, www.legislation.gov.uk, hansard.parliament.uk
Jurisdiction
England
Response
Accepted in Part
Accepted in Part Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
01 Dec 2025

The Government has agreed to accept in principle this recommendation subject to further work to determine its full impact.

Progress Timeline
Official Report
01 Dec 2025

Accepted in principle. The government has agreed to accept in principle this recommendation subject to further work to determine the full impact. The government will continue to work on its response to the recommendations and provide a full response to the Fuller inquiry phase 2 report by summer 2026. (Source: Interim update on government progress in responding to the Fuller inquiry phase 2 report, December 2025)

Source
Inquiry Fuller Inquiry
Report Fuller Inquiry Phase 2 Report 15 Jul 2025
View Source
Responsible Bodies
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government Primary
Themes & Tags
Patient dignity and privacy Care safeguarding systems Audit Peer Review Local Authority Mortuary
Recommendation age 0.7 yr
Last formal update 01 Dec 2025