Source · Select Committees · Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee
Recommendation 17
17
Paragraph: 71
The Government has to take the issue of Ombudsman reform seriously and provide legislative action.
Recommendation
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.
Paragraph Reference:
71
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.