Independent Reviews

Independent review of Arts Council England examining its governance, strategy, funding model and relationship with the arts sector, making recommendations for reform including a new NPO funding model and greater transparency.

Independent commission examining the governance, regulation and performance of the water sector in England and Wales, making wide-ranging recommendations on regulation, investment, sewage and accountability.

Independent review of the regulatory bodies within Defra's family including the Environment Agency, Natural England and others, examining governance, accountability and effectiveness, with recommendations for reform.

Independent review examining how employers recruit, retain and develop autistic people, identifying barriers to employment and making 19 recommendations. Only around 30% of autistic working-age people are in employment.

Independent review examining whether civil service governance and accountability arrangements support effective government delivery. Made 57 recommendations across accountability structures, performance management, ministerial direction, and transparency.

Independent review examining how to improve the UK's offer to foreign direct investors. Made 6 recommendations to strengthen coordination across government and make the UK a more attractive investment destination.

Independent review examining the effectiveness of the disclosure and barring regime, covering safeguarding checks for aid workers, door supervisors, local councillors, and the international portability of DBS checks.

Independent review examining the mix of UK organisations performing research, development and innovation. Made 29 recommendations to strengthen the RDI landscape and improve the UK's scientific and economic performance.

Independent review of the UK government's approach to delivering its 2050 net zero target, examining whether policies are pro-business and pro-growth. Made 129 recommendations across ten missions including a '25 by 2025' framework of priority actions.

Independent review of the Civil Aviation Authority examining its effectiveness, governance and regulatory approach, making recommendations to improve the regulator's performance, transparency and capability.

Independent review examining the bureaucratic burden on UK researchers. Made 28 recommendations to reduce unnecessary administrative load on academics and streamline research governance.

Statutory independent review of the bank ring-fencing regime introduced by the Banking Reform Act 2013 and of proprietary trading activities, examining whether the regime remained fit for purpose following its implementation in January 2019 and making 9 recommendations.

Review by the Committee on Standards in Public Life examining the robustness of ethics regulation in central government. Recommended stronger frameworks including independent regulation of the Ministerial Code and expanded Business Appointment Rules to prevent the revolving door.

Independent commission examining racial and ethnic disparities across education, employment, health, and the criminal justice system in the UK. Made 24 recommendations across four themes: family, education, employment and health.

Independent review of the UK listing regime, recommending reforms to make London more competitive as a listing venue and to support high-growth technology and life science companies listing in the UK.

Independent review of the UK fintech sector, recommending a comprehensive strategy covering policy and regulation, skills and talent, investment, international attractiveness and national connectivity to maintain UK global fintech leadership.

Independent review of competition policy and the framework of consumer-facing markets, examining whether existing rules and regulators adequately protect consumers and promote competition, with over 40 recommendations.

Independent global review of the economics of biodiversity, commissioned by HM Treasury. Concluded that nature is an asset and that economic systems must account for natural capital. Proposed three broad transitions.

Independent investigation into failures by the FCA to adequately supervise London Capital & Finance plc, a mini-bond issuer that collapsed in January 2019 leaving approximately 11,600 bondholders with losses of circa £237 million, making 13 recommendations addressed to the FCA.

Independent review commissioned by the Ministry of Defence into the concerns and needs of UK Armed Forces families, covering accommodation, healthcare, education, employment for partners, and the impact of frequent moves and deployment. Made 110 recommendations.

Independent review advising government on whether and how to proceed with the HS2 high-speed rail project, assessing cost, schedule, governance, and alternative options for Phases 1 and 2. The report made 63 numbered conclusions rather than formal recommendations.

Independent review of the loan charge — a policy requiring workers who used disguised remuneration tax avoidance schemes to pay back tax. Made 20 recommendations to make the charge more proportionate.

Independent review examining whether protections for England's National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty were still fit for purpose. Made 27 proposals to reinvigorate designated landscapes and strengthen their role in nature recovery.

Report of the Digital Competition Expert Panel examining competition in digital markets and recommending a new pro-competition regulatory framework for digital platforms to ensure markets remain open and competitive.

Independent review into why large housing sites are built out slowly, examining the gap between planning permissions granted and homes completed and recommending ways to accelerate housing delivery on larger sites.