Coroner and inquiry Ofcom notification powers
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology should consider extending the powers under the Online Safety Act 2023 to enable Senior Coroners to make a notification to Ofcom to obtain access to social media accounts of perpetrators (not just of a child who has died), and for statutory Inquiries to be able to make a notification to Ofcom to obtain access to the social media accounts of both a child who has died and also a perpetrator.
- The government stated DSIT has initiated a review of existing powers available to Senior Coroners and statutory Inquiries to identify gaps and whether powers can be expanded, and that any decision on next steps will be subject to ministerial sign-off and parliamentary process (Government Response to Phase 1 of the Southport Inquiry, CP 1623, Home Office, July 2026).
How was this evidence gathered?
Response
Accepted
Response
AcceptedThe Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) is the lead department, with input from other government departments. Progress and next steps:
- DSIT has initiated a review of the existing powers available to Senior Coroners and statutory Inquiries, to identify whether are any gaps in the existing framework and whether there are any ways to expand or strengthen these powers.
- Any decision on next steps will be subject to ministerial sign-off and parliamentary process (if required).
Progress Timeline
Government response published 2 July 2026 (CP 1623). The government accepted this recommendation; the lead department reports implementation is in progress.