Outdated Operational Guidance
Lack of real-time access for operational staff to up-to-date and succinct guidance, leading to potential inconsistencies or errors in enforcement.
99 items
1 source
9 inquiries
Source spread
Where this theme appears
Outdated Operational Guidance has been flagged across 1 independent accountability source:
99 inquiry recs
This theme has been identified in one data source. As more data is added, cross-references may emerge.
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Source-grouped records are useful for tracing where a concern came from. Large sections show the 50 strongest matches for that source; counts still show the full theme total.
Inquiry Recommendations (99) — showing 50 strongest matches
28 — Revise Prison Service safeguarding guidance
Recommendation: 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 environment', has expired. The Chair and Panel recommend that the …
Gov response: On 23 July 2019, the Ministry of Justice stated that work had begun to revise or replace Prison Service Instructions (PSIs) with 'policy frameworks'. In advance of updating PSI 08/2012, the Youth Custody Service published …
Accepted
No update 2+ yrs
COVID-M2.3 — UK-wide Expert Register
Recommendation: The Government Office for Science (GO-Science) should develop and maintain a register of experts across the four nations of the UK who would be willing to participate in scientific advisory groups, covering a broad range of potential civil emergencies.
Gov response: GO-Science already maintains an expert register for SAGE and is committed to refreshing the register; improving selection processes to broaden participation across disciplines, institutions and backgrounds; and increasing our engagement with experts outside of emergencies. …
Accepted
COVID-M1.10 — Independent Statutory Resilience Body
Recommendation: The UK government should, in consultation with the devolved administrations, create a statutory independent body for whole-system civil emergency preparedness and resilience. The new body should be given responsibility for: providing independent, strategic advice to the UK government and devolved …
Gov response: Since the pandemic, significant strategic and material changes have been made to the way in which the UK and devolved governments handle crises. Considerable progress has been made against the longer-term programme to build a …
Response Unclear
COVID-M1.7 — Publish Exercise Reports and Lessons
Recommendation: For all civil emergency exercises, the governments of the UK, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland should each (unless there are reasons of national security for not doing so): publish an exercise report summarising the findings, lessons and recommendations, within three …
Gov response: No formal response published by this government.
Accepted
In progress
COVID-M1.6 — Triennial Pandemic Exercises
Recommendation: The UK government and devolved administrations should together hold a UK-wide pandemic response exercise at least every three years. The exercise should: test the UK-wide, cross-government, national and local response to a pandemic at all stages, from the initial outbreak …
Gov response: No formal response published by this government.
Accepted
COVID-M1.3 — Improved Risk Assessment Approach
Recommendation: The UK government and devolved administrations should work together on developing a new approach to risk assessment that moves away from a reliance on single reasonable worst-case scenarios towards an approach that: assesses a wider range of scenarios representative of …
Gov response: No formal response published by this government.
Accepted
POH-19 — Publish restorative justice programme by 31 October 2025
Recommendation: By 31 October 2025, the Department, Fujitsu and the Post Office shall publish, either separately or together, a report outlining any agreed programme of restorative justice and/or any actions taken by that date to produce such a programme. For the …
Gov response: Department for Business and Trade accepts this recommendation. DBT, Post Office, and Fujitsu have jointly embarked on a postmaster-led restorative justice programme facilitated by the Restorative Justice Council. Sessions began on 23 September 2025. A …
Accepted
In progress
POH-18 — Devise redress process for affected family members
Recommendation: The Department shall devise a process for providing financial redress to close family members of those most adversely affected by Horizon. Such family members shall qualify for such redress only if they themselves, have suffered serious adverse consequences by reason …
Gov response: Department for Business and Trade accepts this recommendation. Some close family members of postmasters suffered serious adverse consequences because of the Horizon scandal. DBT is committed to establishing a redress scheme for close family members …
Accepted
In progress
POH-17 — Establish standing public body to administer future redress schemes
Recommendation: As soon as is reasonably practicable, HM Government shall establish a standing public body which shall, when called upon to do so, devise, administer and deliver schemes for providing financial redress to persons who have been wronged by public bodies.
Gov response: Department for Business and Trade acknowledges this recommendation and sees clear advantages in establishing a standing public body for financial redress. However, the government recognises that establishing such an independent redress body requires careful consideration …
Response Unclear
In progress
POH-16 — Clarify whether HCRS and OCS assessment processes differ
Recommendation: The Department shall make a public announcement in which (a) it clarifies whether there will be any differences in the process for assessing financial redress, between the merged HCRS and OCS, and the process currently operating in OCS and if …
Gov response: Department for Business and Trade accepts this recommendation. DBT confirms that HCRS applies identical principles to the previous OCS scheme, ensuring no disadvantage to overturned conviction claimants. Case management and independent panel processes are in …
Accepted
POH-15 — Set deadline for HSS claims with guidance on late applications
Recommendation: No claims for financial redress under HSS shall be entertained after midnight 27 November 2025.
Gov response: Department for Business and Trade broadly accepts this recommendation. HSS closes to new claims on 31 January 2026. Post Office is sending reminder letters to outstanding claimants. DBT will publish guidance on exceptional cases that …
Accepted in Part
POH-14 — Post Office to engage in negotiations during HSSA appeal period
Recommendation: During the nine-month period afforded to claimants to submit an appeal to the Department in HSSA, the Post Office shall engage in negotiations and/or mediation with any claimants who notify the Post Office of a desire to seek a negotiated …
Gov response: Prior to the publication of the Inquiry's report, DBT agreed that instead of a nine-month period for postmasters to submit a full appeal there should be a three-month deadline to notify the Department of an …
Accepted
POH-11 — Apply best offer principle equally in GLOS
Recommendation: The "best offer" principle which will apply in HSSA, as explained in response to Recommendation 10, shall be equally applicable in GLOS.
Gov response: Department for Business and Trade accepts this recommendation. The "best offer" principle applies equally across GLO, HSSA, and HCRS schemes at all panel stages. This has been in effect since 12 August. DBT will retrospectively …
Accepted
MAI-169 — Review Operation Plato guidance
Recommendation: Those organisations should consider what changes need to be made to the Counter Terrorism Policing Headquarters Operation Plato guidance in order to achieve those aims.
Gov response: The Home Secretary made a written statement to Parliament on 3 November 2022 following publication of Volume 2, acknowledging the findings on emergency response failures and stating the government would work with emergency services to …
Accepted
MAI-166 — Introduce Major Incident Triage Tool
Recommendation: The team led by Philip Cowburn has devised a tool that is designed to replace the existing systems of primary and secondary triage. It is known as the Major Incident Triage Tool. It already has the support of NHS England. …
Gov response: The Home Secretary made a written statement to Parliament on 3 November 2022 following publication of Volume 2, acknowledging the findings on emergency response failures and stating the government would work with emergency services to …
Accepted
MAI-162 — Define BTP Senior Duty Officer role in Major Incidents
Recommendation: The role of the Senior Duty Officer in a Major Incident should be clearly defined and explained in the British Transport Police Major Incident Manual. This role should have a corresponding action card.
Gov response: The Home Secretary made a written statement to Parliament on 3 November 2022 following publication of Volume 2, acknowledging the findings on emergency response failures and stating the government would work with emergency services to …
Accepted
MAI-158 — Guidance on commander location during incidents
Recommendation: The Home Office, the National Ambulance Resilience Unit, the College of Policing and the Fire Service College should develop guidance as to where commanders should locate during a spontaneous Major Incident. Steps should be taken to ensure that a consistent …
Gov response: The Home Secretary made a written statement to Parliament on 3 November 2022 following publication of Volume 2, acknowledging the findings on emergency response failures and stating the government would work with emergency services to …
Accepted
In progress
MAI-145 — Strategic Co-ordinating Group within two hours
Recommendation: The Home Office should consider the introduction of a national standard requiring a meeting of the Strategic Co-ordinating Group to take place no more than two hours after the declaration of a Major Incident where more than one emergency service …
Gov response: The Home Secretary made a written statement to Parliament on 3 November 2022 following publication of Volume 2, acknowledging the findings on emergency response failures and stating the government would work with emergency services to …
Accepted
MAI-144 — Mandatory Ambulance Liaison Officer at events
Recommendation: The Home Office should consider how the presence of an Ambulance Liaison Officer in appropriate circumstances may be made mandatory. This may need to be put on a statutory footing.
Gov response: The Home Secretary made a written statement to Parliament on 3 November 2022 following publication of Volume 2, acknowledging the findings on emergency response failures and stating the government would work with emergency services to …
Accepted
In progress
MAI-141 — Nationally agreed format for all emergency plans
Recommendation: The Home Office, His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services, the College of Policing, the Fire Service College, the National Ambulance Resilience Unity, individual police services and JESIP should develop a nationally agreed format for all plans, …
Gov response: The Home Secretary made a written statement to Parliament on 3 November 2022 following publication of Volume 2, acknowledging the findings on emergency response failures and stating the government would work with emergency services to …
Accepted
In progress
MAI-140 — Review Major Incident plans for interoperability
Recommendation: The Home Office, His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services, the College of Policing, the Fire Service College, the National Ambulance Resilience Unit, individual police services and JESIP should review what changes need to be made to …
Gov response: The Home Secretary made a written statement to Parliament on 3 November 2022 following publication of Volume 2, acknowledging the findings on emergency response failures and stating the government would work with emergency services to …
Accepted
MAI-139 — Review and update JESIP Joint Doctrine
Recommendation: The Home Office, His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services, the College of Policing, the Fire Service College, the National Ambulance Resilience Unit and JESIP should review and, as necessary, update the Joint Doctrine.
Gov response: The Home Secretary made a written statement to Parliament on 3 November 2022 following publication of Volume 2, acknowledging the findings on emergency response failures and stating the government would work with emergency services to …
Accepted
MAI-135 — Action cards for emergency services in Major Incidents
Recommendation: The Home Office, His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services, the College of Policing, the Fire Service College and the National Ambulance Resilience Unit should oversee the development and implementation of action cards for the police, fire …
Gov response: The Home Secretary made a written statement to Parliament on 3 November 2022 following publication of Volume 2, acknowledging the findings on emergency response failures and stating the government would work with emergency services to …
Accepted
In progress
MAI-129 — Threshold for Ambulance Liaison Officer at events
Recommendation: The Home Office and the Department of Health and Social Care should consider how the threshold for a requirement that an Ambulance Liaison Officer be present at an event is to be identified.
Gov response: The Home Secretary made a written statement to Parliament on 3 November 2022 following publication of Volume 2, acknowledging the findings on emergency response failures and stating the government would work with emergency services to …
Accepted
In progress
MAI-115 — Guidance on equipment for warm zone interventions
Recommendation: The Department of Health and Social Care, the Faculty of Pre-Hospital Care, the College of Paramedics and the National Ambulance Resilience Unit should consider issuing guidance on how to ensure that specialist paramedics take with them, into a warm zone, …
Gov response: The Home Secretary made a written statement to Parliament on 3 November 2022 following publication of Volume 2, acknowledging the findings on emergency response failures and stating the government would work with emergency services to …
Accepted
In progress
MAI-110 — Guidance on event first aid equipment
Recommendation: The Department of Health and Social Care should consider issuing guidance on the first aid equipment that event providers should have available on the relevant premises, as well as where that equipment should be stored to ensure that it is …
Gov response: The Home Secretary made a written statement to Parliament on 3 November 2022 following publication of Volume 2, acknowledging the findings on emergency response failures and stating the government would work with emergency services to …
Accepted
In progress
MAI-103 — Guidance on Ambulance Liaison Officer role
Recommendation: The Department of Health and Social Care and the National Ambulance Resilience Unit should consider the scope of the role of an Ambulance Liaison Officer and issue guidance to ambulance services in that regard.
Gov response: The Home Secretary made a written statement to Parliament on 3 November 2022 following publication of Volume 2, acknowledging the findings on emergency response failures and stating the government would work with emergency services to …
Accepted
In progress
MAI-96 — Force Duty Officer not to handle media enquiries
Recommendation: The College of Policing should issue guidance to all police services to ensure the following, in the event of a Major Incident: a. The Force Duty Officer is not expected to deal with media enquiries. b. The important task of …
Gov response: The Home Secretary made a written statement to Parliament on 3 November 2022 following publication of Volume 2, acknowledging the findings on emergency response failures and stating the government would work with emergency services to …
Accepted
MAI-75 — Operational Commander to gain situational awareness first
Recommendation: North West Ambulance Service should review its Major Incident Response Plan to make clear that the first resource on scene should assume the role of Operational Commander only once they have achieved situational awareness.
Gov response: The Home Secretary made a written statement to Parliament on 3 November 2022 following publication of Volume 2, acknowledging the findings on emergency response failures and stating the government would work with emergency services to …
Accepted
MAI-67 — NWAS policy for relieving Operational Commanders
Recommendation: North West Ambulance Service should ensure that it has a policy that sets out the circumstances in which an Operational Commander may be relieved and how that should occur and be communicated to the outgoing Operational Commander and beyond.
Gov response: The Home Secretary made a written statement to Parliament on 3 November 2022 following publication of Volume 2, acknowledging the findings on emergency response failures and stating the government would work with emergency services to …
Accepted
MAI-59 — Codify prisoner communication restrictions scheme
Recommendation: I recommend that the scheme be codified, and clear policy and guidance be published so that it can be applied consistently across the prison estate.
Gov response: The Home Secretary made a written statement to Parliament on 3 November 2022 following publication of Volume 2, acknowledging the findings on emergency response failures and stating the government would work with emergency services to …
Accepted
MAI-53 — CPS protocol for section 35 prosecution takeover
Recommendation: It is recommended that the Crown Prosecution Service establish a written protocol in relation to its approach to any application from an inquiry Chairman for a section 35 prosecution to be taken over under section 6(2) of the Prosecution of …
Gov response: The Home Secretary made a written statement to Parliament on 3 November 2022 following publication of Volume 2, acknowledging the findings on emergency response failures and stating the government would work with emergency services to …
Accepted
MAI-45 — Ensure effective explosive detection dog deployment
Recommendation: His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services, Counter Terrorism Policing Headquarters and the College of Policing should take steps to ensure that all police services have in place effective systems for the prompt deployment of explosives detection …
Gov response: The Home Secretary made a written statement to Parliament on 3 November 2022 following publication of Volume 2, acknowledging the findings on emergency response failures and stating the government would work with emergency services to …
Accepted
MAI-43 — Guidance on covering deceased at mass casualty scenes
Recommendation: Guidance should be provided to event healthcare providers, to emergency service responders other than paramedics and to the public generally about the circumstances in which those who are believed to be dead should be covered. The guidance should make clear …
Gov response: The Home Secretary made a written statement to Parliament on 3 November 2022 following publication of Volume 2, acknowledging the findings on emergency response failures and stating the government would work with emergency services to …
Accepted
In progress
MAI-41 — Include NWAS capabilities in GMP Major Incident Plan
Recommendation: Greater Manchester Police's Major Incident Plan should be reviewed to ensure that it includes clear guidance on the capabilities of North West Ambulance Service, including its Hazardous Area Response Team, Ambulance Intervention Team and Special Operations Response Team, as well …
Gov response: The Home Secretary made a written statement to Parliament on 3 November 2022 following publication of Volume 2, acknowledging the findings on emergency response failures and stating the government would work with emergency services to …
Accepted
MAI-40 — Include GMFRS capabilities in GMP Major Incident Plan
Recommendation: Greater Manchester Police's Major Incident Plan should be reviewed to ensure that it includes clear guidance on the capabilities of Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, including its Specialist Response Team, as well as on the importance of joint working.
Gov response: The Home Secretary made a written statement to Parliament on 3 November 2022 following publication of Volume 2, acknowledging the findings on emergency response failures and stating the government would work with emergency services to …
Accepted
MAI-39 — Single consolidated GMP Operation Plato plan
Recommendation: Greater Manchester Police should review its Operation Plato plans to ensure that there is only a single plan to which all can work and that this plan gives clear and consistent guidance on how to respond to an Operation Plato …
Gov response: The Home Secretary made a written statement to Parliament on 3 November 2022 following publication of Volume 2, acknowledging the findings on emergency response failures and stating the government would work with emergency services to …
Accepted
MAI-37 — Ensure GMP role cards are accessible
Recommendation: Greater Manchester Police should ensure that its role cards are always immediately accessible to the officers who are to perform those roles
Gov response: The Home Secretary made a written statement to Parliament on 3 November 2022 following publication of Volume 2, acknowledging the findings on emergency response failures and stating the government would work with emergency services to …
Accepted
MAI-36 — Regular expert review of GMP Major Incident plans
Recommendation: Greater Manchester Police should ensure that its plans for responding to a Major Incident, including a terrorist incident, are reviewed regularly by those with the appropriate skills and experience to make meaningful improvements to each plan. This must include a …
Gov response: The Home Secretary made a written statement to Parliament on 3 November 2022 following publication of Volume 2, acknowledging the findings on emergency response failures and stating the government would work with emergency services to …
Accepted
MAI-35 — Review GMFRS Incident Commander policy
Recommendation: Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service should review the policy by which the Incident Commander takes up the role, in light of the shortcomings I have identified in the policy in operation on 22nd May 2017.
Gov response: The Home Secretary made a written statement to Parliament on 3 November 2022 following publication of Volume 2, acknowledging the findings on emergency response failures and stating the government would work with emergency services to …
Accepted
In progress
MAI-34 — Review GMFRS information sharing during incidents
Recommendation: Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service should review its guidance and policies on how it receives and passes on information during a Major Incident. It is important that, for any update given, it is established when the last time the …
Gov response: The Home Secretary made a written statement to Parliament on 3 November 2022 following publication of Volume 2, acknowledging the findings on emergency response failures and stating the government would work with emergency services to …
Accepted
In progress
MAI-31 — Joint GMFRS/NWFC incident log review procedures
Recommendation: Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service and North West Fire Control should conduct a joint review of the circumstances in which it is appropriate for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service personnel to check the North West Fire Control incident …
Gov response: The Home Secretary made a written statement to Parliament on 3 November 2022 following publication of Volume 2, acknowledging the findings on emergency response failures and stating the government would work with emergency services to …
Accepted
In progress
MAI-27 — Review terrorist attack notification procedures
Recommendation: Counter Terrorism Policing Headquarters should review the procedures by which it is notified of a terrorist attack to ensure that all police services know that this is an early priority.
Gov response: The Home Secretary made a written statement to Parliament on 3 November 2022 following publication of Volume 2, acknowledging the findings on emergency response failures and stating the government would work with emergency services to …
Accepted
MAI-24 — Review combined vs separate Gold/Silver Control Rooms
Recommendation: Counter Terrorism Policing Headquarters and the College of Policing should review the advantages and disadvantages of a combined Silver and Gold Control Room as opposed to separate rooms, and issue guidance for all police services on best practice.
Gov response: The Home Secretary made a written statement to Parliament on 3 November 2022 following publication of Volume 2, acknowledging the findings on emergency response failures and stating the government would work with emergency services to …
Accepted
In progress
MAI-23 — Guidance on Silver command deployment to scene
Recommendation: Counter Terrorism Policing Headquarters and the College of Policing should issue guidance on the circumstances in which a police officer or officers with responsibility for the tactical/silver command of the unarmed officers at the scene or scenes of a Major …
Gov response: The Home Secretary made a written statement to Parliament on 3 November 2022 following publication of Volume 2, acknowledging the findings on emergency response failures and stating the government would work with emergency services to …
Accepted
In progress
MAI-15 — Ensure prompt BTP Bronze Commander appointment
Recommendation: British Transport Police should review its procedures to ensure the prompt appointment of a Bronze Commander during a Major Incident.
Gov response: The Home Secretary made a written statement to Parliament on 3 November 2022 following publication of Volume 2, acknowledging the findings on emergency response failures and stating the government would work with emergency services to …
Accepted
BAHA-34 — Consistent Sight Deprivation Terminology
Recommendation: 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 deprivation by blacked-out goggles'.
Gov response: Accepted. Terminology has been standardised to 'sight deprivation by blacked-out goggles'.
Accepted
BAHA-32 — SOI J3-9 Sight Deprivation
Recommendation: SOI J3-9 should reflect the greater emphasis that is given in the latest draft of JDP 1-10 to avoiding in the first place, where practicable, circumstances in which sight deprivation may be necessary. More generally, it should reflect the five …
Gov response: Accepted. SOI J3-9 has been updated to emphasise avoiding sight deprivation where practicable.
Accepted
BAHA-31 — Update SOI J3-9 Definitions
Recommendation: The definitions of the prohibited techniques contained in SOI J3-9 should be updated to reflect the recommendations made in respect of JDP 1-10.
Gov response: Accepted. SOI J3-9 has been updated to reflect the revised definitions.
Accepted
BAHA-5 — Noise Prohibition Definition
Recommendation: The definition of the prohibition on subjecting CPErS to noise should be broadened. It should prohibit subjecting CPErS to any unnecessary excessive noise.
Gov response: Accepted. The definition has been broadened to prohibit subjecting CPErS to any unnecessary excessive noise, with guidance on facility design and use of ear defenders.
Accepted