Source · Select Committees · Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee
Recommendation 27
27
Rejected
The Government has delayed legislative reform for too long and the Committee is particularly disappointed...
Conclusion
The Government has delayed legislative reform for too long and the Committee is particularly disappointed by the Government’s refusal to set out a legislative timetable before the end of this year. Regardless of other pressures on the Government’s legislative programme, ombudsman reform needs to be prioritised. Work to introduce a Bill should not have to wait until the next Parliament. (Paragraph 82) Impact on other organisations
Government Response Summary
The government does not consider fundamental ombudsman reform a priority or that legislation is the answer, but is content to keep it under review and look at specific proposals on a case by case basis.
Government Response
Rejected
HM Government
Rejected
The Government is aware that different nations take a different approach, but consider that our system is effective in the context in which it operates, ensuring that effective internal complaints processes address issues without the need to involve ombuds and that complainants have recourse to the independent ombuds where necessary, while balancing the need for the government and ministers to make decisions relating to policy. While the effective operation of the ombudsman system is an important matter, the Government is not convinced that fundamental reform is a priority at the current time, nor that legislation is the answer to many of the identified issues. We are, however, content to keep this under review and to look at specific proposals for reform on a case by case basis.