Accepted in part · Cabinet Office says in progress
Recommended
I also recommend that consideration be given to the creation of statutory powers under section 36 that can be used to prevent a material witness to an inquiry putting themselves beyond the reach of the existing powers to compel a witness's attendance. One such power, which would have assisted in the cases of Ismail Abedi and Ahmed Taghdi, would be a short-term restriction on the use of a witness's passport prior to attending to give evidence when required.
Since then (summary written by this site)
The Cabinet Office reported in February 2026 that the recommendation remained in progress, explaining that the Ministry of Justice would consider it in light of wider reforms to strengthen the public inquiries system following recommendations from the Statutory Inquiries Committee (Cabinet Office, Feb 2026). In that February 2026 update, the department added that any legislative changes needed would be "taken forward as part of this broader package" (Cabinet Office, Feb 2026). The UK government had previously partially accepted the recommendation in November 2025 (Cabinet Office response, Nov 2025).
Accepted in part · Cabinet Office says in progress
Recommended
I recommend that the Home Office give consideration to addressing the difficulties in extradition in relation to an offence under section 35, given that the maximum sentence for such an offence is below the minimum qualifying threshold for extradition.
Since then (summary written by this site)
The Cabinet Office reported in February 2026 that the Ministry of Justice has "no current plans to increase the maximum sentence" for an Inquiries Act offence to bring individuals within scope of extradition, because existing and proposed penalties are proportionate and dual criminality might still prevent extradition (Cabinet Office, Feb 2026). It stated in February 2026 that wider reforms to the Inquiries Act are under consideration, in light of which the recommendation will be considered and any necessary legislative changes taken forward (Cabinet Office, Feb 2026).
Accepted in part · Cabinet Office says in progress
Recommended
I recommend that the Ministry of Justice give consideration to amending section 21 of the 2005 Act to include the express provision for requiring a potential witness to participate in an interview.
Since then (summary written by this site)
In February 2026, the Cabinet Office reported that this recommendation remains in progress, explaining that it is considering wider reforms to the Inquiries Act 2005 and that the Ministry of Justice will consider the proposal in light of those reforms, with any required legislative changes taken forward as part of a broader package (Cabinet Office, Feb 2026). The UK Government had previously registered the recommendation as partially accepted in November 2025 (Cabinet Office response, Nov 2025).
Accepted in part · Cabinet Office says in progress
Recommended
I recommend that the Ministry of Justice, possibly in conjunction with the Law Commission, give consideration to amending section 36 of the 2005 Act to make provision for issuing pre-emptive enforcement proceedings for witnesses in relation to whom there are reasonable grounds to believe that they will not co-operate.
Since then (summary written by this site)
In February 2026, the Cabinet Office reported that the recommendation remained in progress, explaining that the Ministry of Justice would consider it alongside wider reforms to the Inquiries Act 2005 and that any resulting legislative changes remained to be taken forward as part of that broader package (Cabinet Office, Feb 2026). Earlier, the government had recorded the recommendation as partially accepted in November 2025 (Cabinet Office response, Nov 2025).
Total inquiry cost £36.32 million. Inquiry ran from Oct 2019 to June 2023. Chair: Sir John Saunders. Three volumes of reports published 2022-2023. S40 payments (Core Participant legal costs) totalled £12.03 million.
Total inquiry cost £36.32 million. Inquiry ran from Oct 2019 to June 2023. Chair: Sir John Saunders. Three volumes of reports published 2022-2023. S40 payments (Core Participant legal costs) totalled £12.03 million.
Written QuestionHouse of CommonsSir Julian Smith · Conservative
Asked: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of either a) exempting people providing healthcare as individuals from the Care Quality Commission registration fee, or b) charging a reduced fee, following the …
Answered by Department of Health and Social Care: Following the Manchester Arena Inquiry, the new rules bring treatment of disease, disorder, or injury (TDDI) at sporting and cultural events, sports grounds, and gymnasiums under the regulation of the Care Quality Commission (CQC), and are intended to ensure that higher-risk event healthcare is appropriately regulated to support safe, high-quality care. This only applies where the care in such circumstances …
Written QuestionHouse of CommonsSir Julian Smith · Conservative
Asked: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) Regulations 2026 on the viability of medical professionals who are not registered with …
Answered by Department of Health and Social Care: Following the Manchester Arena Inquiry, the new rules bring treatment of disease, disorder, or injury (TDDI) at sporting and cultural events, sports grounds, and gymnasiums under the regulation of the Care Quality Commission (CQC), and are intended to ensure that higher-risk event healthcare is appropriately regulated to support safe, high-quality care. This only applies where the care in such circumstances …
Written QuestionHouse of LordsLord Kamall · Conservative
Asked: To ask His Majesty's Government what resources have been provided to the Care Quality Commission to undertake its additional function arising from the Manchester Arena Inquiry of managing registrations and inspections of medical providers delivering healthcare at sporting and cultural venues and events.
Answered by Department of Health and Social Care: Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspections will be supported by a dedicated team of specialist advisors with expertise across a range of settings, including pre-hospital care. The CQC will continue to review the skills and capacity of its teams ahead of implementation to ensure it can regulate the sector effectively. The Department, in consultation with the CQC, has agreed to a …
Early Day MotionHouse of CommonsTim Farron · Liberal Democrat
Said: That this House notes with concern the potential impact of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) Regulations 2026 on small-volunteer led organisations; recognises the impetus for this change arose from the recommendations of the Manchester Arena bombing inquiry, and that improved …
Written QuestionHouse of CommonsDame Caroline Dinenage · Conservative
Asked: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) Regulations 2026 on (a) the number of and (b) participation rates in sporting events …
Answered by Department of Health and Social Care: The Manchester Arena Inquiry recommended that the Government make changes to the law to enable the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to regulate event healthcare at sporting venues and gymnasiums and under temporary arrangements at sporting and cultural events to ensure public safety. The Government has considered the impacts of this change, and a public consultation allowed stakeholders to provide information …
Written QuestionHouse of CommonsDame Caroline Dinenage · Conservative
Asked: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) Regulations 2026 on trends in the number of sporting and cultural events in …
Answered by Department for Culture, Media and Sport: DCMS officials engage with the sector on the impacts of regulation. DCMS will continue to engage with DHSC on the removal of exemptions for temporary sporting and cultural events to ensure impacts to event delivery are mitigated as far as possible in line with the policy recommendations from the Manchester Arena Inquiry.
Written QuestionHouse of CommonsDame Caroline Dinenage · Conservative
Asked: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with sporting (a) bodies, (b) venues and (c) events organisers on proposed changes to the role of the Care Quality Commission.
Answered by Department for Culture, Media and Sport: The Manchester Arena Inquiry Volume Two report recommended the government make changes to the law to enable the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to regulate event healthcare at sporting venues and gymnasiums and under temporary arrangements at sporting and cultural events to ensure public safety. The government and CQC has engaged a range of stakeholders within the health, sports and events …
Written QuestionHouse of CommonsDame Caroline Dinenage · Conservative
Asked: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of changes removing exemptions for temporary cultural and sporting events from laws mandating that medical providers be CQC registered on the number of cultural and …
Answered by Department of Health and Social Care: The Manchester Arena Inquiry recommended that the Government make changes to the law to enable the Care Quality Commission to regulate event healthcare at sporting venues and gymnasiums, and under temporary arrangements, at sporting and cultural events to ensure public safety. The Government has considered the impacts of this change, and a public consultation allowed stakeholders to provide information on …
The Manchester Arena Inquiry was established following the terrorist attack at Manchester Arena on 22 May 2017 that killed 22 people. Sir John Saunders published the final report on 2 March 2023, making 169 recommendations across emergency response, security arrangements, and public safety.
The government accepted 164 recommendations (97%) and accepted 5 in principle (3%). Home Secretary Suella Braverman stated in Parliament on 6 March 2023 that the government would 'carefully consider the report's findings and recommendations in full' and committed to ensuring lessons were learned. A recommendations tracking dashboard was subsequently published.
Progress updates from February 2026 indicate that 78 recommendations (46%) are recorded as completed and 91 (54%) remain in progress. Key developments documented include the publication of Joint Operating Principles Version 3 for responding to terrorist attacks, establishment of a new multi-agency radio control system, and introduction of the Ten Second Triage system for major incidents.
Several working groups and programmes have been established, including the Clinical Response to Major Incidents group and the Stronger Local Resilience Forum trailblazer programme. The Security Industry Authority has worked with the Health and Safety Executive to develop enhanced first aid training incorporating the inquiry's recommendations.
However, multiple recommendations show limited documented progress nearly three years after publication. Several relating to legislative changes, including extending Security Industry Authority licensing and reforms to the Inquiries Act 2005, remain under consideration. The development of a healthcare standard for events, while noted as progressing with research projects complete, is not due for publication until 2026. The Clinical Response to Major Incidents group has revised its timeline to 2027 due to resource constraints.
The Ministry of Justice has stated there are no current plans to increase maximum sentences under the Inquiries Act, despite this being recommended. Various guidance documents and approved professional practices are noted as being developed but have not yet been published according to the available evidence.
Reforms attributed to this inquiry · AI-generated- Joint Operating Principles (JOPs) Version 3 published and signed off by tri-services following the inquiry, containing additional principles for responding to Marauding Terrorist Attacks - New multi-agency radio control talk group established, shared between police, fire and ambulance services and monitored 24/7 in control rooms - Ten Second Triage system introduced for first responders at major incidents, including appropriate visible identifiers and triage labels - Sector-specific Emergency First Aid at Work certificate developed by Security Industry Authority with Health and Safety Executive, incorporating inquiry-recommended training areas - Clinical Response to Major Incidents (CRMI) working group established to implement healthcare-related recommendations - Public Access Trauma Kit contents clinically reviewed and finalised, with specifications published on PROTECT UK website - New operational and tactical commanders training devised and launched to police forces - Stronger Local Resilience Forum trailblazer programme launched in spring 2025 with five participating LRFs: Cumbria, Greater Manchester, London, Northumbria and SuffolkUnfinished business · AI-generated- Recommendation on extending Security Industry Authority licensing requirements for CCTV monitoring and security contractors - noted as requiring legislative change but no evidence of progress - Recommendations relating to reforms of the Inquiries Act 2005 - Cabinet Office noted as considering wider reforms but no specific action documented - Recommendation to increase maximum sentence for Inquiries Act offences - Ministry of Justice stated there are no current plans to increase the maximum sentence - Multiple recommendations relating to the development of a healthcare standard for events - research projects noted as complete but standard not yet published (due 2026) - Legislative changes on analgesia - consultation document being drafted by Department of Health and Social Care but not yet published - National Events guidance - noted as currently being developed but not yet published - Command and control approved professional practice (APP) - due for launch in 2025 but not yet published
Findings about the inquiry's recommendations as a whole
Home Office Consultation(18 Dec 2025)
This site's summary of the finding: Government consultation opened 18 December 2025 on monitored recommendations 7 and 8: whether in-house CCTV operators should be SIA-licensed (MR7) and whether security contractors should be licensed (MR8). Closes 12 March 2026.
This site's summary of the finding: Government published formal Manchester Arena Inquiry recommendations dashboard on GOV.UK (14 November 2025) tracking all 149 recommendations with implementation progress updates.
This site's summary of the finding: Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 received Royal Assent 3 April 2025. Creates two tiers: Standard Duty (200-799 capacity) and Enhanced Duty (800+). SIA will be regulator. Not yet in force -- at least 24 months before enforcement (expected April 2027).
This site's summary of the finding: NPCC, Counter Terrorism Policing and College of Policing provided comprehensive updates to Sir John Saunders demonstrating "continued drive to improve collective response to terrorist incidents."