Themes | Justice & Legal Process | The Accountability Index

Delayed electoral law simplification

Government delays in simplifying and consolidating complex electoral law, risking serious consequences and inefficiencies.

410 items 5 sources

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Source spread

Where this theme appears

This theme appears across 5 independent accountability sources, so the source mix matters as much as the headline total.

108 committee recs 4 PHSO decisions 290 LGO/SPSO decisions 1 Law Commission project

Browse by source

Source-grouped records are useful for tracing where a concern came from. Large sections show the 50 strongest matches for that source; counts still show the full theme total.

5 sources

Select committee recommendations(108)— showing 50 strongest matches

Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee

Recommendation: The Government should prioritise implementing the Law Commission’s recommendations to rationalise electoral law and immediately start work towards setting out a long-term strategy, with cross-party support, ahead of the next General Election.

Response attribution not verified

National Security Strategy (Joint Committee)

Recommendation: The Government should amend the Representation of the People Bill to introduce an alternative version of Section 54A in primary legislation. This would create a critical mechanism to implement much needed changes. (Recommendation, Paragraph 92)

Response attribution not verified

Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee

Recommendation: The Government’s reasons for making these changes to the laws on postal voting appear valid and justified to the Committee. The Committee recommends that the Government sets out regulations to the effect that local authorities must notify people in advance …

Response attribution not verified

Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee

Recommendation: We agree with the Electoral Commission that each of the four governments of the UK should amend the rules for reporting spending to provide greater transparency on the money being spent on digital campaigns in their jurisdictions. There should be …

Response attribution not verified

Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee

Recommendation: As recommended in our Fifth Report of Session 2021–22 on the Elections Bill, acknowledging the need for legislation to keep pace with rapid technological changes, the Government should commit to monitoring and conducting regular reviews of the digital imprints scheme, …

Response attribution not verified

Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee

Recommendation: The introduction of digital imprints on paid-for and certain unpaid digital material is welcome, but, in their current form, the requirements have notable limitations. This includes a potentially wide scope of activity that will not require an imprint, as well …

Response attribution not verified

Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee

Recommendation: Digital technology is allowing more parties, campaigners, and voters than ever to participate in political debate. While we view this as a positive step for democracy, we must recognise that it has created a more complex regulatory environment for the …

Response attribution not verified

Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee

Recommendation: We agree with the Committee on Standards in Public Life that investigations under the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 should be opened within 12 months of the date of the potential offence being committed or, from the date …

Response attribution not verified

Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee

Recommendation: The Committee recognises the complexity of the dual regimes for candidates under the Representation of the People Act 1983 and parties and campaigners under the Political Parties, Elections, and Referendums Act 2000. Consolidating the law into one regulatory framework should …

Response attribution not verified

Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee

Recommendation: The Committee believes, regardless of the complexity of the legislation, it is vital that the Electoral Commission has sufficient internal expertise to clarify ambiguities in the law or guidance in a timely manner, particularly during regulated periods. The Electoral Commission …

Response attribution not verified

Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee

Recommendation: The Electoral Commission invests significant resources into providing guidance to candidates, parties, and non-party campaigners to support their understanding of complex legislation, and this is largely welcomed by those it regulates. However, as a matter of priority, further action is …

Response attribution not verified

Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee

Recommendation: It has been twenty years since the Electoral Commission was established and we believe it still plays a fundamental role in overseeing free and fair elections and referendums and regulating political finance, and should continue to do so. However, its …

Response attribution not verified

#43 — Implement a reliable system for eligible voters to cast ballots by the next general election.

Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee

Recommendation: A system capable of reliably allowing eligible voters to cast their ballot must be in place in time for the next general election. (Recommendation, Paragraph 119)

Response attribution not verified

#14 — Start simplification and consolidation of electoral law, committing to introducing legislation upon completion

Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee

Recommendation: The Government should start the process of simplification and consolidation of electoral law alongside the work being carried out to produce a Bill to implement its manifesto commitments and the outcome of the strategic review. In doing this it should …

Response attribution not verified

#13 — Government's delay in simplifying electoral law risks serious consequences

Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee

Recommendation: We are however concerned that the Government has not put in motion the work necessary to simplify and consolidate electoral law. It is clear to us that the conclusion of the Law Commissions’ report was correct, and that the UK …

Response attribution not verified

#11 — Require Government to clarify acceptance of electoral law simplification and consolidation

Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee

Recommendation: The Government should make clear whether it accepts in principle that UK elections law needs simplification and consolidation, and if it does not should set out its evidence for this position in full in its response to this report. (Recommendation, …

Response attribution not verified

#10 — Consensus on electoral law simplification not fully embraced by government

Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee

Recommendation: There is a clear consensus in our evidence around the necessity and benefits of simplification and consolidation of electoral law. This is not a new position and has been reiterated by the practitioners and experts of electoral law for some …

Response attribution not verified

#32 — Bring forward the Long-Term Housing Strategy to deliver 1.5 million new homes without further delay.

Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee

Recommendation: The Government must immediately bring forward its Long-Term Housing Strategy without further delay. It must set out an ambitious, comprehensive, and achievable set of policies that will deliver 1.5 million new homes by July

Response attribution not verified

#31 — Slow plan-making system prevents local plans from collectively meeting the 1.5 million housing target.

Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee

Recommendation: The Government can only begin to make significant progress towards its 1.5 million target once the sum of local housing need targets in Local Plans add up to that figure. Whilst the Government’s reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework …

Response attribution not verified

#29 — Long-Term Housing Strategy publication remains delayed, leaving the housing sector without a cohesive plan.

Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee

Recommendation: The housing sector is eagerly awaiting the Government’s Long-Term Housing Strategy, which it first announced in July 2024. Originally, this was to be published alongside the Spending Review in spring 2025. The continuing lack of a cohesive plan to deliver …

Response attribution not verified

#9 — Protracted Section 106 negotiations causing significant delays to housing delivery.

Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee

Recommendation: Local planning authorities across England have expressed concern that protracted Section 106 negotiations are causing delays to housing delivery. Drawn out negotiations do not benefit public outcomes and cause undue delays to development, which may impede the Government’s housebuilding ambitions. …

Response attribution not verified

#15 — Intensify efforts to establish UK-EU SPS zone and publish a roadmap by May 2026.

Welsh Affairs Committee

Recommendation: The UK Government must intensify efforts to fully establish an SPS zone with the EU, as a key step towards reducing trade friction for Welsh agricultural exports. We call on the Government to publish a roadmap for how they plan …

Response attribution not verified

#15 — Home Office significantly delayed recouping excess profits from asylum accommodation providers.

Home Affairs Committee

Recommendation: It is extremely disappointing that the Home Office only appears to have started the process for recouping excess profits from accommodation providers in 2024. Accommodation providers told us they had tens of millions waiting to be returned to the Home …

Response attribution not verified

Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee

Recommendation: While the government’s proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework are welcome, they must go further to address the persistent delays, inconsistency and administrative burden experienced by developers, owners and community organisations. Without change in how the system operates …

Response status not verified

Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee

Recommendation: The final bill must include a commencement clause for the £250 cap on ground rents to come into force two months after the Act is given Royal Assent—not at a time to be decided by ministers, as is currently the …

Response status not verified

Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee

Recommendation: The Government’s response to the CSPL report on electoral finance regulation provides no indication of which of its recommendations (not already included in the Bill) the Government is likely to adopt (via amendment), prioritise for consultation or when or how …

Response attribution not verified

Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee

Recommendation: The proposals in the Bill on voting and candidacy rights of EU citizens would create a complex system that is likely to lead to confusion and difficulties for electoral administrators, electoral campaigners and voters in determining who is eligible to …

Response attribution not verified

Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee

Recommendation: There have been concerns raised that introducing a voter ID requirement will negatively impact voter turnout. The evidence from what happened in Northern Ireland in 2003 following the move to a photographic ID suggests that a reduction of around 2.3% …

Response attribution not verified

Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee

Recommendation: The Government presented to the Committee a case that there is underreporting of personation at UK elections. While the Government refused to be drawn on how extensive it believes the underreporting has been, it has implied that it is at …

Response attribution not verified

Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee

Recommendation: There appears to be potential for a contradiction in the drafting of Schedule 1 as the provisions setting out both the Voter Card and the Anonymous Voter Card leave open the possibility of a limited period of validity. However, the …

Response attribution not verified

Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee

Recommendation: The Government has committed to respecting devolved competence where they are touched upon in this Bill. If this were to change, we expect the Committee and the House to be notified of the reasons for such a change in advance …

Response attribution not verified

Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee

Recommendation: The Committee urges the Government to set out a timetable for undertaking a wholesale review and consolidation of electoral law. (Paragraph 24) Public and parliamentary consultation and scrutiny

Response attribution not verified

Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee

Recommendation: The Committee notes that electoral law in the UK is voluminous and fragmented across a raft of primary legislation and accompanying secondary legislation. We believe that there is a risk that this Bill will add further complexity.

Response attribution not verified

Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee

Recommendation: The responsibilities of multiple regulators in the digital space interlock with the Electoral Commission’s role to regulate money spent on political campaigning. The Government’s draft Strategy and Policy Statement for the Electoral Commission encourages cooperation between regulators to avoid duplication …

Response attribution not verified

Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee

Recommendation: We agree with the House of Lords Democracy and Digital Technologies Committee, and the Committee on Standards in Public Life, that the maximum fine the Electoral Commission can impose for breaches of Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 should …

Response attribution not verified

Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee

Recommendation: The Government should commit to reviewing the impact of the lower tier of registration for third party campaigners as part of its statutory review of the Elections Act 2022, due in four to five years› time, to be published and …

Response attribution not verified

Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee

Recommendation: The Electoral Commission must ensure it has the institutional knowledge and capacity to support those it regulates equally in both election and referendum contexts, noting their distinct and unique characteristics. There should be comprehensive training for Electoral Commission staff to …

Response attribution not verified

Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee

Recommendation: The Committee notes the high levels of satisfaction in the Electoral Commission’s role in guiding the practical administration of elections and delivering referendums. Nevertheless, we remain concerned by the challenges that lie ahead for the Electoral Commission in supporting electoral …

Response attribution not verified

#123 — Prioritise time and resources to consolidate electoral law with a clear implementation timeline

Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee

Recommendation: We reiterate the strong recommendation of numerous committees in recent years, including the House of Commons Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee and the House of Lords Constitution Committee, that the Government bring forward a timeline to consolidate electoral law. …

Response attribution not verified

#52 — Voter ID lacks evidence of necessity and creates significant barriers for legitimate voters.

Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee

Recommendation: We are concerned that the evidence base for the necessity and effectiveness of voter ID is simply not there. There were extremely low levels of personation prior to the introduction of voter ID, and no evidence that it was being …

Response attribution not verified

#42 — Current overseas voting system fails to guarantee eligible voters' ballots are successfully counted.

Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee

Recommendation: The current system for overseas voting cannot guarantee that eligible voters will be given the opportunity to have their vote counted. We take the Government at its word that it is unacceptable that an eligible voter is prevented from having …

Response attribution not verified

#32 — Replace two-batch postal ballot dispatch with rolling system and widely publish dates

Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee

Recommendation: Currently postal ballot packs are dispatched in two batches. This should be replaced with a system where, following the first dispatch, ballot packs are printed and dispatched on a rolling basis. The first and last dispatch dates should be widely …

Response attribution not verified

#25 — Create a single, standardised system for electoral counts, register, and administration.

Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee

Recommendation: At a UK general election, all candidates should be subject to the same requirements and the same system should be used throughout the electoral process. While there are historic reasons why different systems have developed and been maintained, the case …

Response attribution not verified

#4 — Establish clear, objective criteria and metrics for assessing future election effectiveness

Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee

Recommendation: There need to be clear criteria and, where appropriate, metrics, for assessing and judging how effectively an election has been run. The Electoral Commission should establish such criteria in consultation with Government and other stakeholders. This should be in place …

Response attribution not verified

Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee

Recommendation: Three successive UK governments have now secured electoral mandates to address onerous ground rent terms in existing leases. Leaseholders rightly expect the government to deliver on its commitment to “tackle unregulated and unaffordable ground rent charges” through legislation. Therefore, we …

Response status not verified

Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee

Recommendation: The Government has been too slow to act on Ofcom’s 2019 recommendations to update prominence legislation. We are frustrated that the Government expects the process to take a further two years; new primary legislation is urgently needed and the media …

Response attribution not verified

Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee

Recommendation: The Committee welcomes the removal of the 15-year limit on overseas electors participating in UK parliamentary elections.

Response attribution not verified

Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee

Recommendation: We agree with the Government that it is sensible to limit the number of proxy votes that can be exercised by individuals to two for domestic electors, and four for overseas electors. (Paragraph 118) Overseas electors and changes to the …

Response attribution not verified

Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee

Recommendation: We welcome the Government’s move to update electoral law to widen the requirement for anyone and everybody who may have a disability or a need for support in casting their vote. We also take on board the concerns expressed by …

Response attribution not verified

Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee

Recommendation: We are concerned that the voter ID requirement will be burdensome to poll station staff. Many of the practicalities of the voter ID system are still to be set out and the Committee intends to monitor these closely. We recommend …

Response attribution not verified

Independent reviews(7)

Pickles Electoral Fraud Review — Rec R34

The Government should change the law if necessary to remove all doubt as to the court's ability to make protective costs or expenses orders.

Pickles Electoral Fraud Review — Rec R27

The legislation on offences relating to proxy voting should be clarified around compelling/preventing someone applying for a proxy vote and altering someone's completed application.

Pickles Electoral Fraud Review — Rec R11

The Government should produce statutory (if necessary) guidance for Electoral Registration Officers which ensures a consistent UK wide approach to determining residence.

Pickles Electoral Fraud Review — Rec R10

The Government should consider how residence can be defined in law and what factors should be taken into consideration by Electoral Registration Officers in making that determination.

Young Health & Safety Review — Rec 24

The current raft of health and safety regulations should be consolidated into a single set of accessible regulations.

Pickles Electoral Fraud Review — Rec R3

The taking of pictures and use of cameras (including camera phones) in polling stations should be made illegal in order to prevent voters being intimidated into recording how they voted and to preserve the secrecy of the ballot.

Pickles Electoral Fraud Review — Rec R2

A lower test of 'intimidation' than the one currently set in the Representation of the People Act 1983 should be introduced.

PHSO casework decisions(4)

P-002676 — HM Treasury

Mrs P complained HM Treasury failed to act on 2017 concerns about a funeral plan provider and delayed new legislation, causing her to lose £7,190 and suffer stress.

UK Government Jun 2024

P-003605 — Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency

Mr O complained the DVLA delayed issuing his HGV licence, restricted it to three years for medical reasons, and failed to respond to his complaints.

UK Government Jun 2025

P-004465 — HM Courts and Tribunals Service

Mrs X complained HMCTS's automated email about her divorce application was misleading, delaying cancellation and refund requests. She also cited slow response times and missed callbacks.

UK Government Dec 2025

P-002692 — Information Commissioner's Office

The ICO took too long to issue a decision notice on an FOI request, preventing Mr M from performing his public watchdog function as an investigative reporter.

UK Government Jun 2024

LGO / SPSO decisions(290)

25-015-349 — West Oxfordshire District Council

We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about a canvasser entering his home and saying he could be fined £1,000. This is because any injustice is not significant enough to warrant an investigation by the Ombudsman.

LGO (Local Government & … Other Categories Feb 2026

21-016-283 — Lancaster City Council

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the complainant not receiving reminders to renew his overseas voting registration. We could not add to any previous investigation by the Council, nor would further investigation lead to a different outcome. And we cannot achieve the outcome sought.

LGO (Local Government & … Other Categories Mar 2022

21-013-247 — North Yorkshire County Council

Summary: Mrs M complains about delay issuing her son B’s Education, Health and Care (EHC) Plan. The Council took four months too long, and the delay meant B was unable to start his secondary education at his new school in September 2021. The Council has agreed a remedy.

LGO (Local Government & … Education Upheld Jun 2022

21-014-760 — Preston City Council

Summary: Ms X said the Council’s actions, after she changed her name, saw her vote rejected at four elections. We found the Council repeatedly failed to act in line with the law, which denied Ms X the opportunity to update her postal vote information. The Council agreed to apologise to …

LGO (Local Government & … Other Categories Upheld Jul 2022

21-010-485 — London Borough of Wandsworth

Summary: Ms X complained the Council’s consultation for a traffic regulation order in 2020, 2021 and 2022 was insufficient and unfairly disadvantaged people who did not use the internet. Ms X further complained the Council failed to properly consider the impact of the order on elderly and disabled residents. There …

LGO (Local Government & … Transport And Highways Upheld Aug 2022

22-009-594 — London Borough of Southwark

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the complainant being prevented from voting in the 2016 EU referendum and the 2021 Greater London Authority election. This is because the complaint does not meet the tests in our Assessment Code on how we decide which complaints to investigate. It is …

LGO (Local Government & … Other Categories Nov 2022

23-012-303 — Devon County Council

Summary: Ms X complained the Council delayed completing her son, F’s Education, Health and Care (EHC) needs assessment in line with statutory timescales. The Council was at fault. It failed to decide whether to issue F with an EHC Plan within the statutory timescale, caused by a delay in obtaining …

LGO (Local Government & … Education Upheld Apr 2024

23-010-350 — Derbyshire County Council

Summary: Mrs Y complains about delays in the process leading up to the Council’s issuing of an Education, Health and Care Plan for her son, D. We find the Council failed to meet the statutory timescales and there was significant delay. The Council also failed to maintain appropriate contact with …

LGO (Local Government & … Education Upheld May 2024

23-003-610 — Somerset Council

Summary: Mrs X complained the Council took too long to issue her son’s Education, Health and Care Plan, that communication from it was poor and that it failed to deliver suitable alternative education to him when he became unable to attend school. We found fault because there was a significant …

LGO (Local Government & … Education Upheld May 2024

24-003-864 — Brighton & Hove City Council

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about information the Council holds on its Electoral Register about Mr X’s family members. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council or injustice caused to Mr X to warrant an investigation.

LGO (Local Government & … Other Categories Jul 2024

24-017-543 — Essex County Council

Summary: Ms X complained the Council failed to complete her child Y’s Education, Health and Care (EHC) needs assessment within statutory timeframes. The Council was at fault. It delayed issuing a final Education, Health and Care Plan by 52 weeks, caused by a delay in obtaining Educational Psychology (EP) advice. …

LGO (Local Government & … Education Upheld Aug 2025

24-022-194 — Derbyshire County Council

Summary: Miss X complained about significant delays in extending her property under a Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG). Miss X initially asked for a DFG in 2020 but five years later the works are still not complete. We found there is no evidence of fault in the Council’s assessment of Miss …

LGO (Local Government & … Adult Care Services Not Upheld Nov 2025

25-018-541 — City of Doncaster Council

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint that the Council passed incomplete data to a third party to verify his identity for the Electoral Register. This is because there is not enough evidence of fault to warrant an investigation.

LGO (Local Government & … Other Categories Nov 2025

24-018-549 — Buckinghamshire Council

Summary: Mrs X complained about the Council’s delays during the Education, Health and Care needs assessment process for her son. She also complained the Council failed to provide her son with suitable alternative provision. We find the Council was at fault for its delay in issuing Mrs X’s son’s Education, …

LGO (Local Government & … Education Upheld Dec 2025

21-011-237 — London Borough of Merton

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint that the Council has issued parking permits to people living in a car free development. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council and insufficient evidence of injustice. In addition, the decisions were made too long ago to allow …

LGO (Local Government & … Transport And Highways Feb 2022

21-011-321 — London Borough of Richmond upon Thames

Summary: Ms X complained the Council delayed issuing her daughter’s final Education Health Care Plan following an annual review. Ms X has appealed to Tribunal. We have discontinued our investigation. It is not possible to determine the level of injustice caused by the Council’s alleged fault until the Tribunal has …

LGO (Local Government & … Education Not Upheld Mar 2022

23-019-691 — Worcestershire County Council

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council not obtaining the required advice and information from occupational health in time for the EHC plan to be completed within the required timescales. This is because the Council agreed to resolve the complaint early by providing a proportionate remedy …

LGO (Local Government & … Education Upheld May 2024

23-015-704 — Dorset Council

Summary: The Council was at fault for delays in issuing an Education, Health, and Care Plan, for Mrs X’s son. That fault caused Mrs X an injustice because she was left with avoidable distress and inconvenience in following up as to what the Council were doing, as well has having …

LGO (Local Government & … Education Upheld May 2024

25-004-468 — Cheshire West & Chester Council

Summary: We will not investigate X’s complaint about the Council’s failure to sign a contract for their child, Y’s, school which meant they missed out on four transition half-days. This is because the Council apologised, offered a symbolic payment, and an investigation is unlikely to achieve a different outcome.

LGO (Local Government & … Education Sep 2025

24-016-984 — Derby City Council

Summary: We have found fault with the Council for failing to meet the Educational, Health and Care Plan annual review timescales. This caused Mrs X and her daughter avoidable distress. The Council has agreed to take action to remedy their injustice.

LGO (Local Government & … Education Upheld Sep 2025

24-012-965 — London Borough of Bromley

Summary: Ms X complained that the Council failed to provide her son, Y, with suitable full-time education and failed to secure Section F provision of his EHCP during the 2023/24 academic year. The Council failed to implement the education package it proposed and did not secure the specialist dyslexia provision …

LGO (Local Government & … Education Upheld Sep 2025

24-012-666 — Surrey County Council

Summary: Mrs X complained about the Council’s handling of her son’s Education, Health and Care annual review and alternative provision after he stopped attending school in summer 2024. We found the Council delayed proper assessment of its section 19 duties after June 2024 and delayed putting alternative provision in place …

LGO (Local Government & … Education Upheld Sep 2025

25-003-947 — Somerset Council

Summary: We have upheld this complaint because the Council delayed completing an Education Health and Care needs assessment for a child. The Council has agreed to resolve the complaint by offering to make a suitable payment to the complainant to remedy the injustice this caused.

LGO (Local Government & … Education Upheld Sep 2025

24-023-155 — Staffordshire County Council

Summary: Mrs X complained the Council did not complete Miss Y’s annual review and the issue a final Education Health and Care (EHC) Plan within the required timeframe. She also complained the Council delayed in securing a place at a college following the Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Tribunal …

LGO (Local Government & … Education Upheld Nov 2025

24-014-330 — London Borough of Brent

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about matters related to his relatives’ proxy and postal votes in the 2024 general election and the Council’s handling of his complaints. We could not add to the Council’s investigation or achieve a different outcome.

LGO (Local Government & … Other Categories Dec 2024

25-014-605 — Trafford Council

Summary: The Council was at fault for the way it handled Mr Y’s request for housing assistance and for delaying carrying out a social care assessment of his needs. The Council was also at fault for how it handled the complaint. Mr Y had to wait longer for the Council …

LGO (Local Government & … Adult Care Services Upheld Dec 2025

25-013-761 — Oxfordshire County Council

Summary: During another investigation, we identified the Council failed to deliver specialist therapies to a child, for two years. The evidence suggested this may have caused injustice to others. We opened this new complaint to investigate. We found the Council was at fault. It delayed carrying out specialist therapy assessments …

LGO (Local Government & … Education Upheld Dec 2025

25-011-638 — North Tyneside Metropolitan Borough Council

Summary: The Council was at fault for delaying carrying out a carers assessment and for not telling Mr X the outcome of a safeguarding enquiry. This meant Mr X had to wait longer than he should have to receive a direct payment for respite and did not know the outcome …

LGO (Local Government & … Adult Care Services Upheld Dec 2025

24-011-249 — Devon County Council

Summary: Mr Y complains the Council failed to replace a psychologist despite having agreed to provide Mr X with one indefinitely and delayed completing a care assessment. The Council failed to explain why the psychology input had ended and it delayed completing a care assessment. That caused Mr Y and …

LGO (Local Government & … Adult Care Services Upheld Dec 2025

25-004-523 — London Borough of Enfield

Summary: There was fault in the way the Council considered an application for home to school transport made on the grounds of special educational needs and disability. The Council delayed carrying out an individual assessment of the child’s ability to walk the distance required, wrongly relying on an expectation the …

LGO (Local Government & … Education Upheld Dec 2025

25-004-501 — Leicestershire County Council

Summary: Mr X complained about the Council’s delay in carrying out a care assessment for his mother, Mrs Y, which he says led to a decline in her physical and mental health. Mr X says the matter has caused his family distress and frustration and they are being pursued for …

LGO (Local Government & … Adult Care Services Dec 2025

25-002-178 — City of Doncaster Council

Summary: Miss X complained the Council failed to provide alternative education or a school place when her son was permanently excluded from school in June 2024. Miss X also complained about delays in reviewing and finalising her son’s Education, Health and Care (EHC) Plan and poor communication. We found the …

LGO (Local Government & … Education Upheld Dec 2025

25-000-223 — North Yorkshire Council

Summary: Mrs X complained about the Council’s failure to make timely direct payments to her, for her child B’s educational provision. She also complained about the Council’s failure to conduct an Education, Health and Care Plan annual review. Mrs X said the Council failed to deal with her complaint properly. …

LGO (Local Government & … Education Upheld Jan 2026

25-017-698 — Amber Valley Borough Council

on the lessons that can be learnt from our complaints about end of life care given in care homes and in the home.

LGO (Local Government & … Other Categories Feb 2026

22-001-385 — Basildon Borough Council

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint that the Council delayed removing former residents of his property from the electoral register and did not handle his complaint properly. The Council has not caused Mr X injustice and has amended the electoral register.

LGO (Local Government & … Other Categories May 2022

22-001-832 — Devon County Council

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council not allowing the complainant to apply for a parking permit. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council in how it reached its decision.

LGO (Local Government & … Transport And Highways May 2022

22-002-071 — North Tyneside Metropolitan Borough Council

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about a penalty charge notice for a parking contravention as Mr X is not caused a significant personal injustice from his complaint.

LGO (Local Government & … Transport And Highways May 2022

22-001-858 — London Borough of Redbridge

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s handling of a penalty charge notice as Mr X has the right to address this via the court at the Traffic Enforcement Centre.

LGO (Local Government & … Transport And Highways May 2022

22-001-364 — Bury Metropolitan Borough Council

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the behaviour of local councillors towards a member of the public which Mr X witnessed on a video on social media. There is insufficient evidence of personal injustice to Mr X which would warrant an investigation.

LGO (Local Government & … Other Categories Jun 2022

22-008-109 — Birmingham City Council

Summary: We cannot investigate Mr X’s complaint about not having received a postal vote in time as this is not a complaint within our remit.

LGO (Local Government & … Other Categories Oct 2022

22-004-335 — Derbyshire County Council

Summary: Mrs D complains about an unsuccessful appeal to the Council in relation to her son’s (Young Person X) application for free school transport. She says the appeal panel errored in its assessment of whether Young Person X was eligible for free school transport. Further, Mrs D alleges there was …

LGO (Local Government & … Education Upheld Nov 2022

23-020-613 — City of Wolverhampton Council

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint that the Council delayed investigating alleged electoral fraud by councillors. It is reasonable to expect the complainant to have contacted us sooner about events in 2021, to have used the court remedy available to him, and the Police are also better placed to …

LGO (Local Government & … Other Categories May 2024

24-006-000 — North Northamptonshire Council

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint that the Council moved his polling station. There are insufficient levels or evidence of fault or injustice to warrant an investigation.

LGO (Local Government & … Other Categories Aug 2024

24-005-615 — London Borough of Camden

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about delays in receiving a postal vote. This is because we do not have the power to investigate the matters complained about.

LGO (Local Government & … Other Categories Aug 2024

24-005-611 — London Borough of Brent

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about delays in receiving a postal vote. This is because we do not have the power to investigate the matters complained about.

LGO (Local Government & … Other Categories Aug 2024

24-008-249 — Trafford Council

Summary: We cannot investigate Miss X’s complaint about delays in the postal voting process for the 2024 general election. This is because the Returning Officer is responsible for the management of postal votes and their actions are not within our jurisdiction to investigate.

LGO (Local Government & … Other Categories Sep 2024

24-008-406 — Harborough District Council

Summary: We cannot investigate Ms X’s complaint about delays in the postal voting process for the 2024 general election. This is because the Returning Officer is responsible for the management of postal votes and their actions are not within our jurisdiction to investigate.

LGO (Local Government & … Other Categories Sep 2024

24-010-738 — Bristol City Council

Summary: We cannot investigate Mrs X’s complaint about delays in the postal voting process for the 2024 general election. This is because the Returning Officer is responsible for the management of postal votes and their actions are not within our jurisdiction to investigate.

LGO (Local Government & … Other Categories Sep 2024

24-008-293 — Guildford Borough Council

Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint about decisions made by the Returning Officer. We have no power to look at the actions of the Returning Officer.

LGO (Local Government & … Other Categories Oct 2024

24-009-860 — North Northamptonshire Council

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about how the Council dealt with information held on its Electoral Register about Ms X’s son. The Council has admitted fault and apologised. This is suitable to remedy the injustice Ms X experienced. Therefore, further investigation would achieve nothing more.

LGO (Local Government & … Other Categories Oct 2024

Law Commission projects(1)

The Elections Act 2022 did not consolidate electoral law as recommended but addressed a number of issues. The government intends to bring forward measures in its Strategy for Modern and Secure Elections.

In Process of Implementation 2020

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