Weak Government Accountability & Scrutiny
Lack of clear departmental responsibility for budgeting tax reliefs and insufficient parliamentary scrutiny of government non-executives.
343 items
1 source
41 inquiries
Source spread
Where this theme appears
Weak Government Accountability & Scrutiny has been flagged across 1 independent accountability source:
343 inquiry recs
This theme has been identified in one data source. As more data is added, cross-references may emerge.
Browse by source
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 (343) — showing 50 strongest matches
18 — Section 86: tips as structures
Recommendation: Section 86 of the Act should be amended so as to remove any doubt whether tips are "structures" within the meaning of the Section (Paragraph 295).
Unknown
84 — Passenger representation at inquiries
Recommendation: Passenger representation at such inquiries should not be limited to those involved in the immediate accident. Consideration should be given to enlarging the role of CRUCC and the provision of appropriate funding for their full participation in Inquiries (para 15.27).
Unknown
83 — Later inquiries under the Health and Safety at Work Act
Recommendation: Any subsequent Inquiry directed under the Health and Safety at Work Act, 1974 should involve all parties in the rail industry who may have an interest in Recommendations to be made, through the involvement of representative groups including ATOC (para …
Unknown
81 — An additional independent accident investigation body
Recommendation: Consideration should be given to whether an additional independent accident investigation body should be created, to take over the accident investigation functions of HMRI under Recommendation 73 (para 15.23).
Unknown
80 — No delay to opening or reporting of an inquiry
Recommendation: Nothing should be permitted to delay the opening of a RII nor the completion of their Report and Recommendations (para 15.28).
Unknown
79 — Make Rail Industry Inquiries accessible to the public
Recommendation: Consideration should be given to whether procedures can be adapted to make any RII accessible to the public, save where the needs of confidentiality otherwise require (para 15.28).
Unknown
78 — Review procedure for Rail Industry Inquiries
Recommendation: Procedure for conducting a RII should be reviewed. This should include ensuring that the RII panel is independent of all parties having an interest in the accident (paras 9.33, 15.25, 16.26).
Unknown
77 — Rail Industry Inquiry as the forum for recommendations
Recommendation: The primary forum for deciding upon appropriate recommendations following an accident should be the Rail Industry Inquiry (RII). Procedures for holding such an inquiry at the earliest possible date should be strengthened, and should include the presentation by HMRI of …
Unknown
62 — Review progress on the DTp Review Committee Report
Recommendation: There should be a review of progress on implementing the Recommendations of the DTp Review Committee Report (chaired by Sir David Davies) published in September 1996 (para 14.31).
Unknown
58 — Rights and obligations in equipment added to vehicles
Recommendation: Rights (including ownership) and obligations in all equipment added to vehicles, together with lineside equipment upon which its operation depends, must be defined in legally enforceable terms (paras 15.7, 15.13, 16.21).
Unknown
4 — Audit inspection procedures
Recommendation: Since audit inspections at Whittingham before 1969 apparently failed either to detect the collapse in the system of ward records of patients’ money or to investigate the decline in volume of shop takings compared with the amount of patients’ allowances, …
Unknown
65 — Consider financial remedy
Recommendation: The Human Rights Act 1998 makes provision for an effective remedy other than in criminal proceedings. If breaches of the Human Tissue Act 1961 amount to breaches of the Human Rights Act 1998 consideration shall be given to incorporating a …
Unknown
63 — Criminal penalty for breach
Recommendation: The Human Tissue Act 1961 shall be amended to impose a criminal penalty by way of fine for breach of its provisions in order to encourage future compliance.
Unknown
160 — Reporter as protagonist before Sheriff
Recommendation: In proceedings before the Sheriff the protagonist should be the Reporter and not the agency which removed the child in the first place (18.47).
Unknown
158 — No amendment on notice to Reporter
Recommendation: No amendment of the 1968 Act is required to clarify the stage at which agencies should make known their anxieties to the Reporter or of the nature and scope of the material to be passed to him (18.44).
Unknown
157 — Reporters not to investigate
Recommendation: It is not recommended that Reporters should undertake an investigative function before matters are brought formally to their attention (18.43).
Unknown
156 — Reporter's independence in discussions
Recommendation: In any informal discussion between the Social Work Department and the Reporter his independence of action must be recognised and respected (18.39-41).
Unknown
154 — Clarify application of section 58
Recommendation: Consideration should also be given to clarifying the application of Section 58 of the 1968 Act (18.37).
Unknown
147 — Sheriff discretion to release documents
Recommendation: Consideration should be given to empowering a Sheriff at his discretion to release documents to which access is statutorily restricted (18.28).
Unknown
8 — Re-examine Radioactive Substances Act inquiry powers
Recommendation: The provisions of the Radioactive Substances Act 1960 relating to the powers to hold inquiries into proposed authorisations to discharge should be re-examined (para 10.122).
Unknown
24 — New statutory framework for public inquiries
Recommendation: A new statutory framework for public inquiries (of an inquisitorial and not adversarial nature) should be introduced as suggested in paragraphs 11.59 and 11.60 of the final TSI report.
Unknown
23 — Machinery for deciding prosecution or public inquiry
Recommendation: Appropriate machinery should be established (as recommended in paragraph 11.58 of the final TSI report) for arriving at a decision in serious cases whether to prosecute or to hold a public inquiry (or as the case may be) and that …
Unknown
15 — Assessment of the performance of CQC
Recommendation: There must be a rigorous and consistent review and assessment of the performance of CQC by the Health and Social Care Committee, initially once a year and, once the committee is satisfied, once every three years, or such other frequency …
Gov response: No formal government response published. The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care's oral statement of 15 September 2026, made on the day the Inquiry's report was published, does not name this recommendation, which …
Unknown
COVID-M5.10 — Transparency, Governance and Accountability in Emergencies
Recommendation: The UK government, Scottish Government, Welsh Government and Northern Ireland Executive should improve transparency, governance and accountability for procurement in an emergency. As a minimum, these improvements should include the following: Enhancing transparency Any central digital platform used for procurement …
Gov response: No formal government response published. The Northern Ireland Executive had not published a response to the Module 5 report of 14 July 2026 when the Executive Office's publications list was checked on 25 September 2026.
No response yet
FR-3 — Cabinet-Level Minister for Children
Recommendation: The Inquiry recommends that the UK government creates a cabinet-level ministerial position for children. The Inquiry recommends that the Welsh Government ensures that there is cabinet-level ministerial responsibility for children.
Words of: HM Government, Government response to the final report of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (CP 844), presented to Parliament by the Home Secretary, May 2023
Gov response: We accept the importance of placing the best interests of the child front and centre in policy and decision making at the highest level of Government. This role is already fulfilled through the work of …
Accepted
In progress
FENN-130 — Railway Inspectorate to vigorously discharge duties concerning London Underground safety.
Recommendation: The Railway Inspectorate must be more vigorous in the discharge of its duties on London Underground.
Unknown
P2-25 — Maintain public record of inquiry recommendations
Recommendation: We recommend that it be made a legal requirement for the government to maintain a publicly accessible record of recommendations made by select committees, coroners and public inquiries together with a description of the steps taken in response. If the …
Words of: HM Government, Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 Report: Government response (CP 1248), presented to Parliament by the Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, 26 February 2025
Gov response: The government accepts this recommendation in principle. We will establish a record on GOV.UK of all recommendations made by public inquiries since 2024, and will consider making this an enduring legal requirement. The government agrees …
Accepted in part
RHI-42 — Ministerial Code Revision
Recommendation: The Code of Conduct issued to Northern Ireland Ministers in 2007 (contained within the Northern Ireland Ministerial Code 2006) should be revised and brought up to date reflecting the findings of the RHI Inquiry and drawing on relevant best practice …
Words of: Northern Ireland Executive, Executive Response to the RHI Inquiry Report Recommendations and Action Plan, Annex A, 7 October 2021
Gov response: These recommendations can be accepted in full, with the exception of the consideration of an independent mechanism to assess special advisers’ compliance with the Code of Conduct. They have been addressed through work to date, …
Accepted
No update 2+ yrs
RHI-21 — Sceptical Business Case Scrutiny
Recommendation: The Department of Finance's distinctive role in scrutinising business cases should be searching and sceptical, guarding against over-reliance on the assurances offered by the applicant Department.
Words of: Northern Ireland Executive, Executive Response to the RHI Inquiry Report Recommendations and Action Plan, Annex A, 7 October 2021
Gov response: These recommendations can be accepted in full. It is important to note that public expenditure in NI is governed by the UK Budgeting rules set by HM Treasury. These rules mean that there is limited …
Accepted
COVID-M2.6 — Enact Socio-economic Duty
Recommendation: The UK government should bring into force in England section 1 of the Equality Act 2010, implementing the socio-economic duty. The Northern Ireland Assembly and Northern Ireland Executive should consider an equivalent provision within section 75 of the Northern Ireland …
Words of: Northern Ireland Executive, Executive Response to the Covid-19 Module 2 Report March 2026, 18 March 2026
Gov response: Remains under consideration The Executive fully recognises the importance of exploring the introduction of an equivalent socioeconomic provision here, noting that Section 28E of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 places a statutory duty on the …
Accepted
In progress
COVID-M2.5 — Advisory Group Terms of Appointment
Recommendation: The Government Office for Science (GO-Science), the Scottish Government, the Welsh Government and the Department of Health (Northern Ireland) should each develop standard terms of appointment for all participants in scientific advisory groups. These terms should include: clarity around the …
Words of: Welsh Government, UK Covid-19 Inquiry Modules 2, 2A, 2B, 2C Report (Core decision-making and political governance): Welsh Government response, 16 March 2026
Gov response: 1.12. The Welsh Government accepts the Inquiry’s recommendation 5, that it and the other governments should develop standard terms of appointment for all participants in scientific advisory groups. We recognise the huge contribution made by …
Accepted
COVID-M2.4 — Publish Technical Advice During Emergencies
Recommendation: During a whole-system civil emergency, the UK government and devolved administrations should each routinely publish technical advice on scientific, economic and social matters at the earliest opportunity, as well as the minutes of expert advisory groups – except where there …
Words of: Welsh Government, UK Covid-19 Inquiry Modules 2, 2A, 2B, 2C Report (Core decision-making and political governance): Welsh Government response, 16 March 2026
Gov response: 1.8. The Welsh Government is committed to ensuring transparency continues to be at the heart of its approach to future emergencies, as it was during the Covid-19 pandemic. As the Inquiry notes, during the pandemic …
Accepted
COVID-M2.2 — Devolved Nations SAGE Attendance
Recommendation: The Government Office for Science (GO-Science) should invite the governments of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to nominate a small number of representatives to attend meetings of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) from the outset of any future …
Words of: Welsh Government, UK Covid-19 Inquiry Modules 2, 2A, 2B, 2C Report (Core decision-making and political governance): Welsh Government response, 16 March 2026
Gov response: 1.3. The Welsh Government agrees with this assessment and welcomes the inquiry's recommendation 2, that the UK Government Office for Science should invite the governments of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to nominate a small …
Accepted
COVID-M2.1 — NI CMO Independence
Recommendation: The Department of Health (Northern Ireland) should reconstitute the role of the Chief Medical Officer for Northern Ireland as an independent advisory role. The Chief Medical Officer for Northern Ireland should not have managerial responsibilities within the Department of Health …
Words of: Northern Ireland Executive, Executive Response to the Covid-19 Module 2 Report March 2026, 18 March 2026
Gov response: Accepted Following restructuring of the Department of Health in November 2023, the Population Health Directorate, the Health Protection Directorate, the Emergency Planning Resilience and Response Directorate and the Quality, Safety and Improvement Directorate were moved …
Unknown
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.
Words of: Department for Business and Trade, Government response to the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry report (volume 1), 9 October 2025
Gov response: DBT sees clear advantages of the recommendation but recognises that options to improve future delivery of redress will need to be carefully considered and the feasibility of an independent body will need to be properly …
Noted
In progress
MAI-142 — Compel LRF attendance from Category 1 and 2 responders
Recommendation: The Home Office should consider empowering the leadership of local resilience forums to compel the attendance of a senior representative of its Category 1 and Category 2 responders at all local resilience forum meetings. Inspections by His Majesty's Inspectorate of …
Speaker not recorded. Source: Cabinet Office, Manchester Arena Inquiry Recommendations Dashboard (government response status), 14 November 2025
Gov response: Accepted in full
Accepted
In progress
MAI-63 — Monitor LRF attendance and flag concerns
Recommendation: Local resilience forums should monitor attendance and participation at their meetings, and flag promptly any concerns about attendance by members to the leadership of the organisation concerned. The Home Office should ensure that this is being done by local resilience …
Speaker not recorded. Source: Cabinet Office, Manchester Arena Inquiry Recommendations Dashboard (government response status), 14 November 2025
Gov response: Accepted in full
Accepted
In progress
MAI-61 — Independent inspection regime for LRFs
Recommendation: Local resilience forums have a vital role in the preparation for the response to any Major Incident. The Cabinet Office and the Home Office should consider implementing an independent inspection regime for local resilience forums.
Speaker not recorded. Source: Cabinet Office, Manchester Arena Inquiry Recommendations Dashboard (government response status), 14 November 2025
Gov response: Accepted in full
Accepted
In progress
MAI-58 — Amend section 36 for pre-emptive witness enforcement
Recommendation: I recommend that the Ministry of Justice, possibly in conjunction with the Law Commission, give consideration to amending section 36 of the 2005 Act to make provision for issuing pre-emptive enforcement proceedings for witnesses in relation to whom there are …
Speaker not recorded. Source: Cabinet Office, Manchester Arena Inquiry Recommendations Dashboard (government response status), 14 November 2025
Gov response: Partially accepted
Accepted in part
In progress
MAI-57 — Amend section 21 for witness interview requirements
Recommendation: I recommend that the Ministry of Justice give consideration to amending section 21 of the 2005 Act to include the express provision for requiring a potential witness to participate in an interview.
Speaker not recorded. Source: Cabinet Office, Manchester Arena Inquiry Recommendations Dashboard (government response status), 14 November 2025
Gov response: Partially accepted
Accepted in part
In progress
MAI-56 — Address extradition difficulties for section 35 offences
Recommendation: I recommend that the Home Office give consideration to addressing the difficulties in extradition in relation to an offence under section 35, given that the maximum sentence for such an offence is below the minimum qualifying threshold for extradition.
Speaker not recorded. Source: Cabinet Office, Manchester Arena Inquiry Recommendations Dashboard (government response status), 14 November 2025
Gov response: Partially accepted
Accepted in part
In progress
MAI-52 — Consider Commission for Countering Extremism report
Recommendation: In 2021, the Commission for Countering Extremism published a report entitled Operating with Impunity. Hateful Extremism: The Need for a Legal Framework. I recommend that the Home Office consider and respond to this document as a matter of urgency.
Speaker not recorded. Source: Cabinet Office, Manchester Arena Inquiry Recommendations Dashboard (government response status), 14 November 2025
Gov response: Accepted in full
Accepted
MAI-48 — Statutory powers for witness attendance at inquiries
Recommendation: I also recommend that consideration be given to the creation of statutory powers under section 36 that can be used to prevent a material witness to an inquiry putting themselves beyond the reach of the existing powers to compel a …
Speaker not recorded. Source: Cabinet Office, Manchester Arena Inquiry Recommendations Dashboard (government response status), 14 November 2025
Gov response: Partially accepted
Accepted in part
In progress
17 — Extend the Mines and Quarries Act to public safety
Recommendation: The ambit of the Mines and Quarries Act, 1954, should be extended to include provision for the safety of the general public in addition to the existing provisions for the safety of persons employed in the industry (Paragraph 295).
Unknown
11 — NCB keeps prime responsibility for its tips
Recommendation: The National Coal Board should continue to have prime responsibility in respect of all tips in its ownership (Paragraph 290).
Unknown
162 — Consult before abandoning a case
Recommendation: Where a Reporter requires to consider the abandonment of a case which has been passed to the Sheriff for proof he should consult the Social Work Department before finally deciding to do so (18.50).
Unknown
159 — Reporter to check continued detention
Recommendation: The Reporter on being informed of the execution of a Child Protection Order should check the propriety of the continued detention of a child (18.45) but should also proceed with his statutory functions under Sections 38 and 39 in light …
Unknown
152 — Procedure and evidence in children's cases
Recommendation: Consideration should be given to certain matters of procedure and evidence in relation to cases involving children (18.34).
Unknown
144 — Order falls if grounds not served
Recommendation: If grounds for referral have not been served within seven days of the removal of a child under a Child Protection Order, the Order should fall (18.23).
Unknown
142 — Transfer processing of Orders to Sheriff
Recommendation: The processing of Child Protection Orders should be transferred from the Children’s Hearing to the Sheriff with certain consequential changes in the procedure of referral (18.21).
Unknown