Recommendation 123

In March 2023, the then Government launched a detailed consultation to inform the design of the HSRA policy. 251 In its May 2024 consultation response, the then Government anticipated the legislation coming into force in mid-2024 following the release of detailed guidance; however, progress on this was presumably impacted by the July 2024 General Election. 252 Alongside the enactment of these powers, it was proposed that eight local authorities (‘trailblazers’) would work with the Government to implement the policy so that strategic feedback could be gathered. On 11 November 2024, the Government laid the statutory instruments necessary to introduce the HSRA powers; the powers will come into force on 2 December. 253 The announcements makes no reference to ‘trailblazer’ authorities committed to under the previous Government. 254