Public Inquiry Recommendations

L33 Accepted in Part

Leveson Inquiry (2012)

Duty to Protect Press Freedom

In passing legislation to identify the legitimate requirements to be met by an independent regulator organised by the press, and to provide for a process of recognition and review of …

- Leveson recommended that legislation should include an explicit duty on the government to uphold and protect the freedom of the press. - The Crime …

L34 Accepted in Part

Leveson Inquiry (2012)

Compliance Reports and Senior Responsibility

In addition to Recommendation 10 above, a new regulatory body should consider requiring: (a) that newspapers publish compliance reports in their own pages to ensure that their readers have easy …

- The Prime Minister stated on 29 November 2012 that he accepted the principles for independent self-regulation (Oral Statement to Parliament, Prime Minister's Office, 29 …

L35 Accepted in Part

Leveson Inquiry (2012)

Kite Mark for Trusted Journalism

A new regulatory body should consider establishing a kite mark for use by members to establish a recognised brand of trusted journalism.

- The Prime Minister stated on 29 November 2012 that he accepted the principles for independent self-regulation (Oral Statement to Parliament, Prime Minister's Office, 29 …

L36 Accepted in Part

Leveson Inquiry (2012)

Code Review with Public Consultation

A regulatory body should consider engaging in an early thorough review of the Code (on which the public should be engaged and consulted) with the aim of developing a clearer …

- The Prime Minister stated on 29 November 2012 that he accepted the principles for independent self-regulation including code review (Oral Statement to Parliament, Prime …

L37 Accepted in Part

Leveson Inquiry (2012)

Pre-litigation Complaints

A regulatory body should be prepared to allow a complaint to be brought prior to commencing legal proceedings if so advised. Challenges to that approach (and applications to stay) can …

- The Prime Minister stated on 29 November 2012 that he accepted the principles for independent self-regulation (Oral Statement to Parliament, Prime Minister's Office, 29 …

L38 Accepted in Part

Leveson Inquiry (2012)

Discriminatory Reporting Powers

In conjunction with Recommendation 11 above, consideration should also be given to Code amendments which, while fully protecting freedom of speech and the freedom of the press, would equip that …

- The Prime Minister stated on 29 November 2012 that he accepted the principles for independent self-regulation (Oral Statement to Parliament, Prime Minister's Office, 29 …

L39 Accepted in Part

Leveson Inquiry (2012)

Ring-fenced Enforcement Fund

A new regulatory body should establish a ring-fenced enforcement fund, into which receipts from fines could be paid, for the purpose of funding investigations.

- The Prime Minister stated on 29 November 2012 that he accepted the principles for independent self-regulation including enforcement (Oral Statement to Parliament, Prime Minister's …

L40 Accepted in Part

Leveson Inquiry (2012)

Public Advice and Warning Service

A new regulatory body should continue to provide advice to the public in relation to issues concerning the press and the Code along with a service to warn the press, …

- The Prime Minister stated on 29 November 2012 that he accepted the principles for independent self-regulation including public guidance (Oral Statement to Parliament, Prime …

L41 Accepted in Part

Leveson Inquiry (2012)

Strict Accountability for Published Material

A new regulatory body should make it clear that newspapers will be held strictly accountable, under their standards code, for any material that they publish, including photographs (however sourced).

- The Prime Minister stated on 29 November 2012 that he accepted the principles for independent self-regulation (Oral Statement to Parliament, Prime Minister's Office, 29 …

L42 Accepted in Part

Leveson Inquiry (2012)

Public Interest Guidance

A regulatory body should provide guidance on the interpretation of the public interest that justifies what would otherwise constitute a breach of the Code. This must be framed in the …

- The Prime Minister stated on 29 November 2012 that he accepted the principles for independent self-regulation including public interest guidance (Oral Statement to Parliament, …

L43 Accepted in Part

Leveson Inquiry (2012)

Public Interest Record Keeping

A new regulatory body should consider being explicit that where a public interest justification is to be relied upon, a record should be available of the factors weighing against and …

- The Prime Minister stated on 29 November 2012 that he accepted the principles for independent self-regulation (Oral Statement to Parliament, Prime Minister's Office, 29 …

L44 Accepted in Part

Leveson Inquiry (2012)

Advisory Service on Public Interest

A new regulatory body should consider whether it might provide an advisory service to editors in relation to consideration of the public interest in taking particular actions.

- The Prime Minister stated on 29 November 2012 that he accepted the principles for independent self-regulation (Oral Statement to Parliament, Prime Minister's Office, 29 …

L45 Accepted in Part

Leveson Inquiry (2012)

Source Transparency

A new regulatory body should consider encouraging the press to be as transparent as possible in relation to the sources used for stories, including providing any information that would help …

- The Prime Minister stated on 29 November 2012 that he accepted the principles for independent self-regulation (Oral Statement to Parliament, Prime Minister's Office, 29 …

L46 Accepted in Part

Leveson Inquiry (2012)

Whistleblowing Hotline

A regulatory body should establish a whistleblowing hotline for those who feel that they are being asked to do things which are contrary to the code.

- The Prime Minister stated on 29 November 2012 that he accepted the principles for independent self-regulation (Oral Statement to Parliament, Prime Minister's Office, 29 …

L47 Accepted in Part

Leveson Inquiry (2012)

Journalist Contract Protection

The industry generally and a regulatory body in particular should consider requiring its members to include in the employment or service contracts with journalists a clause to the effect that …

- The Editors' Code of Practice Committee maintains the Editors' Code used by IPSO. Clause 1 requires that the press "must take care not to …

L52 Accepted in Part

Leveson Inquiry (2012)

ICO Balance of Public Interest

In conjunction with the repeal of those procedural provisions, consideration should be given to the desirability of including in the Data Protection Act 1998 a provision to the effect that, …

- The Data Protection Act 2018 includes provisions requiring regard to press freedom when exercising regulatory functions. Schedule 2, Part 5, paragraph 26(2) requires that …

L56 Accepted in Part

Leveson Inquiry (2012)

ICO Consult with CPS

A new duty should be introduced (whether formal or informal) for the Information Commissioner's Office to consult with the Crown Prosecution Service in relation to the exercise of its powers …

- The Data Protection Act 2018 does not include a formal statutory duty for the ICO to consult with the Crown Prosecution Service before exercising …

L58 Accepted in Part

Leveson Inquiry (2012)

ICO Policy on Press Regulation

The Information Commissioner's Office should take immediate steps to prepare, adopt and publish a policy on the exercise of its formal regulatory functions in order to ensure that the press …

- Section 124 of the Data Protection Act 2018 required the Information Commissioner to prepare a code of practice containing practical guidance on the processing …

L59 Accepted in Part

Leveson Inquiry (2012)

ICO Good Practice Guidelines

In discharge of its functions and duties to promote good practice in areas of public concern, the Information Commissioner's Office should take immediate steps, in consultation with the industry, to …

- Section 124 of the Data Protection Act 2018 required the Information Commissioner to prepare a code of practice on data protection and journalism, in …

L60 Accepted in Part

Leveson Inquiry (2012)

ICO Public Guidance

The Information Commissioner's Office should take steps to prepare and issue guidance to the public on their individual rights in relation to the obtaining and use by the press of …

- The ICO publishes general guidance for individuals on their data protection rights, including rights of access, rectification, and erasure under the UK GDPR (ICO, …

L61 Accepted in Part

Leveson Inquiry (2012)

ICO Advice for Data Subjects

In particular, the Information Commissioner's Office should take immediate steps to publish advice aimed at individuals (data subjects) concerned that their data have or may have been processed by the …

- The ICO publishes general guidance on making complaints about data protection breaches and on exercising individual rights under the UK GDPR (ICO, Make a …

L62 Accepted in Part

Leveson Inquiry (2012)

ICO Annual Report on Press

The Information Commissioner's Office, in the Annual Report to Parliament which it is required to make by virtue of section 52(1) of the Act, should include regular updates on the …

- The ICO publishes an Annual Report to Parliament each year as required by the Data Protection Act 2018 (ICO Annual Reports, ico.org.uk). - The …

L63 Accepted in Part

Leveson Inquiry (2012)

ICO Adopt DPP Guidelines

The Information Commissioner's Office should immediately adopt the Guidelines for Prosecutors on assessing the public interest in cases affecting the media, issued by the Director of Public Prosecutions in September …

- The Director of Public Prosecutions published Guidelines for Prosecutors on assessing the public interest in cases affecting the media in September 2012 (DPP Guidelines, …

L64 Accepted in Part

Leveson Inquiry (2012)

ICO Engage with Metropolitan Police

The Information Commissioner's Office should take immediate steps to engage with the Metropolitan Police on the preparation of a long-term strategy in relation to alleged media crime with a view …

- Operation Elveden, the Metropolitan Police investigation into alleged payments to public officials by journalists, concluded in 2016. The investigation resulted in 34 arrests and …

L65 Accepted in Part

Leveson Inquiry (2012)

ICO Specialist Knowledge Review

The Information Commissioner's Office should take the opportunity to review the availability to it of specialist legal and practical knowledge of the application of the data protection regime to the …

- The ICO has published guidance on data protection and journalism as required by section 124 of the Data Protection Act 2018 (ICO, Data protection …

L66 Accepted in Part

Leveson Inquiry (2012)

ICO Organisation Review

The Information Commissioner's Office should take the opportunity to review its organisation and decision-making processes to ensure that large-scale issues, with both strategic and operational dimensions (including the relationship between …

- The ICO has undergone organisational changes since the Leveson report, including the appointment of John Edwards as Information Commissioner in January 2022 (ICO, About …

L69 Accepted in Part

Leveson Inquiry (2012)

Review of Damages for Media Torts

There should be a review of damages generally available for breach of data protection, privacy, breach of confidence or any other media-related torts, to ensure proportionate compensation including for non-pecuniary …

- Section 168 of the Data Protection Act 2018 confirmed that compensation for distress (non-pecuniary loss) is available without requiring financial loss, applicable to all …

L82 Accepted in Part

Leveson Inquiry (2012)

Party Policy on Press Relations

As a first step, political leaders should reflect constructively on the merits of publishing on behalf of their party a statement setting out, for the public, an explanation of the …

- The UK Government publishes quarterly ministerial transparency data including details of meetings with newspaper and other media proprietors, editors and senior executives (GOV.UK, Ministers' …

F7 Accepted in Part

Mid Staffs Inquiry (2013)

Clarity of values and principles

All NHS staff should be required to enter into an express commitment to abide by the NHS values and the Constitution, both of which should be incorporated into the contracts …

- The Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England stated in April 2025 that no systematic arrangements were put in place to incorporate …

F9 Accepted in Part

Mid Staffs Inquiry (2013)

Fundamental standards of behaviour

The NHS Constitution should include reference to all the relevant professional and managerial codes by which NHS staff are bound, including the Code of Conduct for NHS Managers.

- The NHS Constitution, as updated in August 2023, includes a duty for staff to accept professional accountability and maintain standards set by their respective …

F10 Accepted in Part

Mid Staffs Inquiry (2013)

Fundamental standards of behaviour

The NHS Constitution should incorporate an expectation that staff will follow guidance and comply with standards relevant to their work, such as those produced by the National Institute for Health …

- In April 2025, DHSC and NHS England stated that this recommendation was closed and referred to the 2024 standards of business conduct policy (DHSC …

F14 Accepted in Part

Mid Staffs Inquiry (2013)

The nature of standards

In addition to the fundamental standards of service, the regulations should include generic requirements for a governance system designed to ensure compliance with fundamental standards, and the provision and publication …

- NHS England and the Care Quality Commission published new well-led guidance for NHS trusts and foundation trusts under the Single Assessment Framework in April …

F15 Accepted in Part

Mid Staffs Inquiry (2013)

The nature of standards

All the required elements of governance should be brought together into one comprehensive standard. This should require not only evidence of a working system but also a demonstration that it …

- An academic review in February 2023 noted that the Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection regime was overhauled to include a 'Well-led' domain, which assesses …

F17 Accepted in Part

Mid Staffs Inquiry (2013)

Responsibility for setting standards

The NHS Commissioning Board together with Clinical Commissioning Groups should devise enhanced quality standards designed to drive improvement in the health service. Failure to comply with such standards should be …

- Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) replaced Clinical Commissioning Groups on 1 July 2022, assuming responsibility for population health and NHS commissioning (Health and Care Act …

F20 Accepted in Part

Mid Staffs Inquiry (2013)

Responsibility for regulating and monitoring compliance

The Care Quality Commission should be responsible for policing the fundamental standards, through the development of its core outcomes, by specifying the indicators by which it intends to monitor compliance …

- The Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England stated in April 2025 that CQC fundamental standards are in place and mapped to …

F21 Accepted in Part

Mid Staffs Inquiry (2013)

Responsibility for regulating and monitoring compliance

The regulator should have a duty to monitor the accuracy of information disseminated by providers and commissioners on compliance with standards and their compliance with the requirement of honest disclosure. …

- The Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 introduced a statutory duty of candour for NHS bodies (The Health and Social …

F22 Accepted in Part

Mid Staffs Inquiry (2013)

Responsibility for regulating and monitoring compliance

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence should be commissioned to formulate standard procedures and practice designed to provide the practical means of compliance, and indicators by which compliance …

- The Department of Health and Social Care stated in April 2025 that a Memorandum of Understanding between NICE and the Care Quality Commission, dated …

F33 Accepted in Part

Mid Staffs Inquiry (2013)

Interim measures

Insofar as healthcare regulators consider they do not possess any necessary interim powers, the Department of Health should consider introduction of the necessary amendments to legislation to provide such powers.

- The government introduced the special measures regime for trusts following the Francis Inquiry (Culture Change in the NHS, Cm 9009, February 2015). - The …

F34 Accepted in Part

Mid Staffs Inquiry (2013)

Interim measures

Where a provider is under regulatory investigation, there should be some form of external performance management involvement to oversee any necessary interim arrangements for protecting the public.

- The Department of Health and Social Care stated in April 2025 that the Recovery Support Programme (RSP) provides a collaborative approach for supporting trusts …

F39 Accepted in Part

Mid Staffs Inquiry (2013)

Use of information about compliance by regulator from: Complaints

The Care Quality Commission should introduce a mandated return from providers about patterns of complaints, how they were dealt with and outcomes.

- The Care Quality Commission stated in April 2025 that it no longer uses mandated Provider Information Returns for healthcare providers, except in the Adult …

F41 Accepted in Part

Mid Staffs Inquiry (2013)

Use of information about compliance by regulator from: Patient safety alerts

The Care Quality Commission should have a clear responsibility to review decisions not to comply with patient safety alerts and to oversee the effectiveness of any action required to implement …

- NHS England established a redesigned National Patient Safety Alert (NatPSA) system, overseen by the National Patient Safety Alerting Committee (NaPSAC) (NHS England Patient Safety …

F44 Accepted in Part

Mid Staffs Inquiry (2013)

Use of information about compliance by regulator from: Media

Any example of a serious incident or avoidable harm should trigger an examination by the Care Quality Commission of how that was addressed by the provider and a requirement for …

- The Department of Health and Social Care stated in April 2025 that the function of examining individual serious incidents has largely transferred to the …

F45 Accepted in Part

Mid Staffs Inquiry (2013)

Use of information about compliance by regulator from: Inquests

The Care Quality Commission should be notified directly of upcoming healthcare-related inquests, either by trusts or perhaps more usefully by coroners.

- The Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England stated in April 2025 that this recommendation was superseded by the statutory medical examiner …

F48 Accepted in Part

Mid Staffs Inquiry (2013)

Use of information about compliance by regulator from: Foundation trust governors and scrutiny committees

The Care Quality Commission should send a personal letter, via each registered body, to each foundation trust governor on appointment, inviting them to submit relevant information about any concerns to …

- The Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England stated in April 2025 that the Care Quality Commission involves governors in inspections and …

F59 Accepted in Part

Mid Staffs Inquiry (2013)

Care Quality Commission independence strategy and culture

Consideration should be given to the introduction of a category of nominated board members from representatives of the professions, for example, the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, a representative of …

- The Department of Health and Social Care stated in April 2025 that the Care Quality Commission is considering its response to the recommendation for …

F60 Accepted in Part

Mid Staffs Inquiry (2013)

Consolidation of regulatory functions

The Secretary of State should consider transferring the functions of regulating governance of healthcare providers and the fitness of persons to be directors, governors or equivalent persons from Monitor to …

- The Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 established a duty for trusts to ensure directors meet fit and proper person …

F75 Accepted in Part

Mid Staffs Inquiry (2013)

Enhancement of role of governors

The Council of Governors and the board of each foundation trust should together consider how best to enhance the ability of the council to assist in maintaining compliance with its …

- The government stated in its 2013 response that it would not seek to prescribe how governors should work day-to-day and that regulators would not …

F79 Accepted in Part

Mid Staffs Inquiry (2013)

Accountability of providers' directors

There should be a requirement that all directors of all bodies registered by the Care Quality Commission as well as Monitor for foundation trusts are, and remain, fit and proper …

- Regulation 5 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 established the 'fit and proper person' requirement for directors (Health …

F80 Accepted in Part

Mid Staffs Inquiry (2013)

Accountability of providers' directors

A finding that a person is not a fit and proper person on the grounds of serious misconduct or incompetence should be a circumstance added to the list of disqualifications …

- Regulation 5 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 mandates that directors must not have been responsible for, or …

F84 Accepted in Part

Mid Staffs Inquiry (2013)

Accountability of providers' directors

Where the contract of employment or appointment of an executive or non-executive director is terminated in circumstances in which there are reasonable grounds for believing that he or she is …

- NHS England published a standardised board member reference template in August 2023 as part of the Fit and Proper Person Test Framework (Fit and …