A report by the House of Lords Statutory Inquiries Committee has claimed that public inquiries into disasters such as the Grenfell Tower fire take too long to complete and that their recommendations are often delayed for far too long. These issues mean that important lessons are not learned, and opportunities are missed to prevent similar tragedies. The report, lead by Lord Norton, aimed to provide advice on how to make inquiries more effective, with the government confirming that it will consider its recommendations.
The House of Lords Statutory Inquiries Committee believes vital changes must be made to the way inquiries are conducted and recommendations implemented, following fears earlier this year from families involved in inquiries that the outcomes would “…simply disappear.” Reforms are urgently required to restore public confidence in the value of inquiries and to prevent trauma resulting from drawn-out investigations.
The committee’s report called for an “absolute commitment” to “righting past wrongs” and pursuing justice for disaster victims, whilst also highlighting the fact that the public has lost faith in inquiries. It also called for the establishment of a new committee within Parliament to ensure all recommendations are implemented by the government, preventing issues of recommendations not being put in place.
The report also suggested that it may be beneficial to move inquiries to a non-statutory footing to gain more speed in the resolution process and recommended that inquiries should remain focused on the main purpose of learning lessons.“Currently, millions of pounds are spent on public inquiries yet too little is done to ensure that the desired outcomes are achieved,” the committee said.
By providing new solutions and reasons as to why inquiries often fail to yield meaningful change, the House of Lords Statutory Inquiries Committee has asserted that change is necessary. An increase in the pace and a reduction of the cost of inquiries are urgently needed to improve the outcomes of such investigations and restore public confidence in their ability to affect meaningful change
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