Source · Select Committees · Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee
Recommendation 10
10
Acknowledged
Paragraph: 48
The Committee notes the progress that has been made to date in implementing the Donaldson...
Conclusion
The Committee notes the progress that has been made to date in implementing the Donaldson Review and look forward to further updates on the implementation of the Review, including an update on the progress of the pilots into systematic investigations.
Government Response Summary
The government launched the PHSO’s Corporate Strategy for 2022–25 and will update the Committee on the implementation of the 2022–23 Business Plan at the next oral evidence hearing.
Paragraph Reference:
48
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
We formally launched PHSO’s Corporate Strategy for 2022–25 on 7 April 2022, and have been holding internal and external stakeholder events to communicate and engage on our plans. This followed a bridging plan during 2021–22, established in response to circumstances resulting from the pandemic. At the next oral evidence hearing, we will update the Committee on the implementation of the 2022–23 Business Plan and how this is supporting the delivery of objectives in our Corporate Strategy. Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman Scrutiny 2020–21: PHSO and Government responses 9 Appendix 2: Government response Letter from Lord True CBE, Minister of State, Cabinet Office, to William Wragg MP, Chair, Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee, dated 20 July 2022 Thank you for your committee’s report considering the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman’s performance for 2020-21. I note that there is one recommendation for HM Government: “The Government has to take the issue of Ombudsman reform seriously and provide legislative action. We urge the Government to set out a legislative timetable before the end of this year, and seek to deliver the necessary reforms before the end of this Parliament.” I agree that Ombudsman reform is an important matter. The Government has a number of key priority areas for its legislative programme and as your report notes, wide-scale Ombudsman reform is not included at the current time. The Government continues to consider options for Ombudsman reform. The Queen’s speech announced a Victims Bill and the consultation, Delivering Justice for Victims, sets out HM Government’s intention to remove the requirement for victims of crime to raise a complaint through a Member of Parliament via primary legislation. The Bill will be introduced to Parliament in due course. Should the Government wish to make proposals for wider Ombudsman reform, I will of course engage with your committee, recognising your important role in holding the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman to account.