Source · Select Committees · Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee
Recommendation 16
16
Paragraph: 70
The Committee reiterates its call for the Government to introduce legislation to reform the PHSO...
Conclusion
The Committee reiterates its call for the Government to introduce legislation to reform the PHSO and start consulting with relevant stakeholders and the public, on a cross-party basis, to ensure the Bill be brought forward as soon as possible. It is now six years since the publication of the Draft Public Service Ombudsman Bill and we are still no further forward. This situation is as unacceptable as it is untenable in the long term. A Private Member’s Bill might also be considered as a vehicle for reform.
Paragraph Reference:
70
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
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.