P2-57 Response Under Consideration AI-assessed

Local authority review third-party contracts

Recommendation

Local authorities must review all contractual arrangements and agreements with third-party providers of services that care for and transport the deceased. This must include consideration of assurance mechanisms, such as key performance indicators, regular reporting, formal contract review meetings, site visits and stakeholder feedback.

Published Evidence Summary
The following publicly available evidence relates to this recommendation:
According to the Government Interim Update (December 2025), as of December 2025, the government stated that the recommendation for local authorities to review contractual arrangements with third-party providers for deceased care and transport was "Under consideration". According to the Government Interim Update (December 2025), the government also stated it was working on contract management guidance. According to the available evidence, no specific guidance has been published, and the recommendation's status remains under review.
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
Under Consideration
Under Consideration Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
01 Dec 2025

This recommendation is under consideration.

Progress Timeline
Official Report
01 Dec 2025

Under consideration. 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
Quality and safety oversight Staff policy awareness Public sector digital capacity Contracts Third Party Assurance Local Authority
Recommendation age 0.7 yr
Last formal update 01 Dec 2025