Government launches "Whitehall-wide" review of health and safety laws

The government has launched a review of health and safety law and practice that the Prime Minister hopes will lead to a “sensible new approach” to applying the legislation.

David Cameron has appointed Lord Young of Graffham to lead "the Whitehall-wide review of the operation of health and safety laws and the growth of the compensation culture”.

Lord Young is expected to produce a report this summer and will investigate concerns over the application and perception of health and safety legislation.

The Prime Minister said: “The rise of the compensation culture over the last ten years is a real concern, as is the way health and safety rules are sometimes applied.

“We need a sensible new approach that makes clear these laws are intended to protect people, not overwhelm businesses with red tape.”

Lord Young claimed that while health and safety legislation is essential in many industries, it may have been applied too generally and become an unnecessary burden on firms, community organisations and public services.

He added: “I hope my review will reintroduce an element of common sense and focus the regulation where it is most needed. We need a system that is proportionate and not bureaucratic.”