Guidance
Recommendations related to guidance
39
Recommendations
90% accepted
Government Response
Accepted (24)Accepted in Part (11)Under Review (3)Awaiting Response (1)
Recommendations in This Theme
recommendation across 15 inquiries
Across 15 inquiries
Tagged Recommendations
39 total
POH-10
Accepted
Post Office Horizon Inquiry
Clarify best offer principle in HSSA guidance with examples
The Department shall issue a supplementary document/announcement clarifying the meaning and intent of the "best offer" principle in the Horizon Shortfall Scheme Appeal (''HSSA'') process demonstrating how it is intended …
- The recommendation required the Department to issue a supplementary document clarifying the "best offer" principle in the HSSA process. - The Department for Business …
Department for Business …
COVID-M2.17
Accepted in Part
COVID-19 Inquiry
Public Emergency Information Portal
The UK government, Scottish Government, Welsh Government and Northern Ireland Executive should develop an online portal for use in future civil emergencies, where members of the public can access information …
- The UK government stated in its Module 2 response (25 March 2026) that it agrees with the aim of making restrictions and guidance accessible …
Cabinet Office
R39
Response Pending
Muckamore Abbey Inquiry
Guidance on recording and presenting concerns
People with learning disabilities and autistic people and their families should be provided with a short description of how best to record and present concerns so as to be effective.
Northern Ireland Executi…
P2-67
Under Consideration
Fuller Inquiry
Faith organisations share guidance on deceased care
All faith organisations should consider how to support their members to deliver high standards of care for the deceased, with a focus on the security and dignity of the deceased …
- The government stated in December 2025 that this recommendation on faith organisations and the care of deceased persons was under consideration. Full government response …
Department of Health and…
P2-70
Under Consideration
Fuller Inquiry
Chief Coroner review practice consistency
The Chief Coroner should review the difference in practice between coronial areas as soon as possible to ensure that: All coroners are informed of the findings of this Inquiry. All …
- The government stated in December 2025 that this recommendation on coroner reporting on the treatment of the deceased was under consideration. Full government response …
Ministry of Justice
P2-72
Under Consideration
Fuller Inquiry
Interim Commissioner for Dignity of Deceased
In the interim, the government should immediately appoint a Commissioner for the Dignity of the Deceased who should immediately issue universal guidance that applies to all those who store and …
- The government stated in December 2025 that this recommendation on appointing an interim Commissioner for the Dignity of the Deceased was under consideration. Full …
Department of Health and…
P2-44
Accepted
Grenfell Tower Inquiry
Consolidate and update emergency preparedness guidance
The current guidance on preparing for emergencies is contained in several documents, all of which are unduly long and in some respects out of date. We recommend that the guidance …
- The government accepted this recommendation in February 2025, committing to factor it into the outcomes of the resilience review (Government Response to Grenfell Tower …
UK Government
P2-58
Accepted
Grenfell Tower Inquiry
Reconsider LGA Guide paragraph 79.11 advice
That the advice contained in paragraph 79.11 of the LGA Guide be reconsidered. (113.83)
- The government accepted this recommendation in February 2025 (Government Response to Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 Report, MHCLG, February 2025). - Residential PEEPs: Guidance …
UK Government
P2-6
Accepted
Grenfell Tower Inquiry
Add legal requirements warning to statutory guidance
That a revised version of the guidance contain a clear warning in each section that the legal requirements are contained in the Building Regulations and that compliance with the guidance …
- The government accepted this recommendation in February 2025, stating it will be addressed through the response to Recommendation 5 on the statutory guidance review …
UK Government
ANG-2
Accepted
Angiolini Inquiry
Improve guidance and training on indecent exposure
By December 2024, the College of Policing, in collaboration with the National Police Chiefs' Council, should improve guidance and training on indecent exposure, in order to improve the quality of …
- The government accepted this recommendation on 25 March 2024, with the NPCC and College of Policing committing to address recommendations on police culture and …
College of Policing
ETI-1
Accepted in Part
Edinburgh Tram Inquiry
Public Inquiry Efficiency
Scottish Ministers should review public inquiries to find cost-effective methods of avoiding establishment delays, potentially creating a dedicated unit within the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service and publishing updated guidance.
- In November 2023, the Scottish Government stated that guidance on efficient public inquiry establishment was "already in development" and had been shared with recent …
Scottish Government
ETI-3
Accepted in Part
Edinburgh Tram Inquiry
Staffing Guidance
Guidance should address: circumstances for civil servant transfers within government; which positions may use agency staff; and whether temporary contracts suit positions unfillable by permanent staff.
- In November 2023, the Scottish Government stated that guidance similar to that suggested was already in development (Transport Secretary Statement on Edinburgh Tram Inquiry …
Scottish Government
ETI-8
Accepted in Part
Edinburgh Tram Inquiry
Update Optimism Bias Guidance
Optimism bias guidance, based on decades-old data, requires updating to include light rail projects and reflect current empirical evidence, with reviews every five years.
- In November 2023, the Scottish Government stated it already operates in line with best practices but would consider updating guidance (Transport Secretary Statement on …
Scottish Government
98
Accepted
IICSA
Increase use of criminal compensation orders
The Ministry of Justice should consult with the Sentencing Council, the Judicial College, the Crown Prosecution Service and other relevant bodies, in order to increase the use of criminal compensation …
- On 6 April 2020, the Ministry of Justice stated that it had consulted with the Judicial College and the Sentencing Council on increasing the …
Ministry of Justice
36
Accepted
IICSA
Guidance on DBS for overseas work
The Home Office should ensure explanatory guidance is issued, providing clarity to recruiting organisations and individuals concerning the use of the Disclosure and Barring Service scheme for work and volunteering …
- In January 2021, the Home Office stated that the DBS signposts applicants to the International Child Protection Certificate scheme (Government Response, Home Office, January …
Home Office
10
Accepted in Part
IICSA
Publish enhanced Child Exploitation Disruption Toolkit
As referenced in its Tackling Child Sexual Abuse Strategy, the government should publish an enhanced version of its Child Exploitation Disruption Toolkit as soon as possible. This Toolkit must: specify …
- In January 2021, the government published the Tackling Child Sexual Abuse Strategy, which committed to publishing an enhanced Child Exploitation Disruption Toolkit (Tackling Child …
UK Government
56
Accepted in Part
IICSA
Update CSE guidance with network information
The Department for Education should review and publish an updated version of its guidance on child sexual exploitation. The update should specify that the core element of the definition of …
- In May 2023, the government stated that its final response to this recommendation was pending and that it was considering updates to guidance on …
Department for Education
57
Accepted in Part
IICSA
Distinguish CSE risk from actual exploitation
The Department for Education and the Welsh Government must ensure that their updated national guidance makes clear that signs that a child is being sexually exploited must never be treated …
- In May 2023, the government stated that its final response was pending, noting it would ensure that updated guidance made clear that signs of …
Department for Education
28
Accepted
IICSA
Revise Prison Service safeguarding guidance
The Chair and Panel note that Prison Service Instruction 08/2012, which sets out the mandatory actions for young offender institutions and secure training centres for 'maintaining a safe and secure …
- In July 2019, the Ministry of Justice stated that work had begun to revise or replace Prison Service Instructions with policy frameworks (Government Response, …
Ministry of Justice
59
Accepted in Part
IICSA
National LADO standards
The Department for Education and the Welsh Government should: introduce a set of national standards for local authority designated officers in England and in Wales to promote consistency; and clarify …
- In May 2023, the government stated that it was considering the scope and timetable for a review of Working Together guidance, including standards for …
Department for Education
9
Accepted
Paterson Inquiry
National patient recall framework
We recommend that a national framework or protocol, with guidance, is developed about how recall of patients should be managed and communicated, centred around the needs of the patients and …
- The National Quality Board published the "Patient-Centred Framework for NHS-Led Recalls" on 1 June 2022 to provide guidance on conducting recall processes (Patient-Centred Framework …
NHS England
IHRD-3
Accepted in Part
Hyponatraemia Inquiry
Guidance on Statutory Duty of Candour
Unequivocal guidance should be issued by the Department to all Trusts and their legal advisors detailing what is expected of Trusts in order to meet the statutory duty.
- The Department of Health NI stated in March 2018 that guidance was being developed in conjunction with the statutory duty of candour legislation (IHRD …
Northern Ireland Executi…
Department of Health NI
41
Accepted
Morecambe Bay Investigation
Guidance for external service reviews
We were concerned by the ad hoc nature and variable quality of the numerous external reviews of services that were carried out at the University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS …
- In July 2015, the government stated: "We accept this recommendation" and noted that the Serious Incident Framework (March 2015) set out details of when …
Academy of Medical Royal…
R49
Accepted
Vale of Leven Inquiry
National ICM role guidance
Scottish Government should re-issue national guidance on the role of the ICM, stipulating that the ICM must be responsible for the management of the infection prevention and control service.
- The Scottish Government published its response to the Vale of Leven Hospital Inquiry Report on 18 June 2015, accepting all 75 recommendations and establishing …
Scottish Government
F149
Accepted
Mid Staffs Inquiry
Expert assistance
Scrutiny committees should be provided with appropriate support to enable them to carry out their scrutiny role, including easily accessible guidance and benchmarks.
- DHSC stated in April 2025 that updated guidance for local authority scrutiny was issued in January 2024 to provide benchmarks and support (DHSC/NHS England …
F180
Accepted
Mid Staffs Inquiry
Candour about incidents
Guidance and policies should be reviewed to ensure that they will lead to compliance with Being Open, the guidance published by the National Patient Safety Agency.
- The Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England stated in April 2025 that the 'Being Open' guidance has been superseded by the …
Healthcare providers
F22
Accepted in Part
Mid Staffs Inquiry
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 …
F274
Accepted
Mid Staffs Inquiry
Information to coroners
There is an urgent need for unequivocal guidance to be given to trusts and their legal advisers and those handling disclosure of information to coroners, patients and families, as to …
- The National Medical Examiner stated in April 2025 that records of medical examiner scrutiny should be shared with bereaved families where possible, following an …
Department of Health and…
F277
Accepted
Mid Staffs Inquiry
Death certification
National guidance should set out standard methodologies for approaching the certification of the cause of death to ensure, so far as possible, that similar approaches are universal.
- The Department of Health and Social Care published guidance on completing the new Medical Cause of Death Certificate (MCCD) as part of the 2024 …
Department of Health and…
F283
Accepted
Mid Staffs Inquiry
Information for and from inquests
Guidance should be developed for coroners' offices about whom to approach in gathering information about whether to hold an inquest into the death of a patient. This should include contact …
- DHSC and NHS England stated in April 2025 that the Judicial College provides induction and annual training for coroners and their officers, and the …
F284
Accepted
Mid Staffs Inquiry
Appointment of assistant deputy coroners
The Lord Chancellor should issue guidance as to the criteria to be adopted in the appointment of assistant deputy coroners.
- DHSC and NHS England stated in April 2025 that action was taken regarding the appointment of assistant coroners following the conclusion of the Mid-Staffordshire …
F285
Accepted
Mid Staffs Inquiry
Appointment of assistant deputy coroners
The Chief Coroner should issue guidance on how to avoid the appearance of bias when assistant deputy coroners are associated with a party in a case.
- DHSC and NHS England stated in April 2025 that the Thirlwall Inquiry has noted action taken in response to this recommendation regarding the appearance …
F83
Accepted
Mid Staffs Inquiry
Accountability of providers' directors
If a "fit and proper person test" is introduced as recommended, Monitor should issue guidance on the principles on which it would exercise its power to require the removal or …
- Regulation 5 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 came into force in November 2014, establishing the fitness requirements …
Monitor
F85
Accepted
Mid Staffs Inquiry
Accountability of providers' directors
Monitor and the Care Quality Commission should produce guidance to NHS and foundation trusts on procedures to be followed in the event of an executive or non-executive director being found …
- NHS England published the Fit and Proper Person Test Framework in August 2023, which outlines procedures for assessing directors and handling cases of non-compliance …
CQC
L42
Accepted in Part
Leveson Inquiry
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, …
Press
L77
Accepted
Leveson Inquiry
Police Media Contact Rule
The simple rule included within the 'Interim ACPO Guidance for Relationships with the Media' should be adopted as good practice. This is: "Police officers and staff should ask: 'am I …
- The College of Policing published Authorised Professional Practice (APP) on media relations which adopted the principle that officers should consider whether there is a …
National Police Chiefs C…
Police
L79
Accepted
Leveson Inquiry
ACPO Guidance on Hospitality
The recent ACPO Guidance should more specifically spell out the dangers of consuming alcohol in a setting of casual hospitality (without necessarily specifying a blanket ban).
- The College of Policing published Authorised Professional Practice on media relations which includes guidance on hospitality in the context of police-media interactions (College of …
Police
National Police Chiefs C…
BAHA-34
Accepted
Baha Mousa Inquiry
Consistent Sight Deprivation Terminology
Theatre level detention instructions and guidance should be reviewed to ensure that references to the means of permissible sight deprivation are consistent. The clearest wording is likely to be 'sight …
- The Defence Secretary stated on 8 September 2011 that the government accepted this recommendation and stated that terminology had been standardised to 'sight deprivation …
Ministry of Defence
BAHA-35
Accepted
Baha Mousa Inquiry
Detention Timescales Consistency
Theatre level detention instructions and guidance should be reviewed to ensure that references to timescales for detention are clear and consistent. Timescales for detention are an important aspect of managing …
- The Defence Secretary stated on 8 September 2011 that the government accepted this recommendation and stated that detention timescales had been reviewed and made …
Ministry of Defence