Independent Reviews

Independent review examining the barriers faced by people from black and minority ethnic backgrounds in the workplace and recommending action by government and employers to unlock the economic potential of a diverse workforce.

Independent review of the youth justice system commissioned by the Lord Chancellor. Recommended extensive reform placing education and health at the heart of youth custody, devolving youth offending services, and reforming courts and sentencing for young people.

Review improving gender balance in FTSE leadership, setting voluntary targets for women in FTSE 350 board and senior leadership positions and tracking progress annually to increase female representation in corporate leadership.

Independent review of health information technology adoption in the NHS in England. Made 10 recommendations for a phased approach to NHS digitisation focused on acute hospitals.

Independent review of electoral administration and the risk of electoral fraud in the UK, making recommendations to strengthen safeguards including requirements for voter ID and reform of postal voting.

Independent panel report advising ministers on improving the quality of technical education for 16-18 year-olds in England. Proposed a coherent system of 15 technical routes, a single body to oversee standards, and a clear progression pathway from school to skilled employment.

Third Caldicott review examining NHS data security standards and patient consent mechanisms following concerns about care.data. Made 20 recommendations including the National Data Opt-Out.

Independent review of children's residential care in England commissioned by the Prime Minister, making 34 recommendations covering the role of residential care in the wider system, commissioning, delivery, regulation and inspection.

Independent review of Local Safeguarding Children Boards in England proposing replacement of LSCBs with new statutory multi-agency safeguarding arrangements with collective accountability across local authorities, police and health bodies.

Independent review commissioned by the UK Prime Minister and the Wellcome Trust examining the global economic case for action on antimicrobial resistance, estimating 10 million annual deaths and $100 trillion in economic damage by 2050 without action and making 10 recommendations for international investment and stewardship.

Independent review examining how education in prison could be improved in England and Wales. Recommended giving prison governors full accountability and freedom over education provision, ending regional contracts, increasing access to higher-level learning, and making better use of technology.

Independent review of UK economic statistics commissioned by HM Treasury and the ONS. Examined whether the UK's statistical infrastructure was fit for purpose in the digital age and made recommendations to improve economic measurement.

Independent review advising on the longer-term future shape and financing of Network Rail following its reclassification as a public body, recommending deeper route devolution, new funding models and strengthened customer focus.

Independent review of the governance and regulation of the BBC ahead of Charter renewal. Recommended abolishing the BBC Trust and replacing it with a unitary board with Ofcom as external regulator.

Independent review of operational productivity and efficiency in NHS acute hospitals, examining unwarranted variations in performance and recommending a model hospital programme and shared services reforms.

Independent taskforce report setting out a five-year forward view for transforming mental health services in England. Made 58 recommendations accepted by NHS England and the Government, including a commitment to invest an additional £1bn per year by 2020-21.

Independent review examining the welfare in detention of vulnerable persons in the immigration detention estate in England and Wales, including the use of detention for pregnant women, victims of torture, and those with mental health conditions.

Independent review of the UK Research Councils examining how to strengthen the publicly funded research system. Made 9 recommendations including creating a single coordinating body for the research councils.

Independent review into self-inflicted deaths in custody of 18-24 year olds, commissioned by the Ministry of Justice. Published July 2015 with 108 recommendations covering mental health support, safer custody, and staff training.

Independent commission examining the need for additional UK airport capacity, unanimously concluding that a new northwest runway at Heathrow Airport presents the strongest case for meeting long-term connectivity needs.

Independent pre-legislative review of the law governing retention of communications data and surveillance, making 124 specific and inter-related recommendations to reform the legal framework for investigatory powers, ultimately informing the Investigatory Powers Act 2016.

Independent review commissioned by Health Education England and the NMC examining the future education and training of registered nurses and care assistants in England. Made 34 recommendations across eight themes.

Independent investigation into the management, delivery and outcomes of maternity and neonatal services at University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust between 2004 and 2013. Found serious failures at ward, trust, regulatory and national levels resulting in avoidable deaths of mothers and babies.

Independent review of whistleblowing in the NHS, examining why staff who raised patient safety concerns faced bullying and discrimination. Set out 20 principles and actions to create a more open reporting culture.

Independent review of the quality and effectiveness of initial teacher training in England, finding the system performs well overall but requiring stronger core content on subject knowledge, classroom management and special educational needs.