HSE budget cuts
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has announced that
the HSE's budget is to be slashed by 35% by 2014-15. A spokesperson
for the DWP stressed that the Government is committed to a fair and
proportionate health and safety regime but said the HSE should cut
costs in the same way as the rest of the public sector. She added:
"In seeking to achieve savings of at least 35 per cent over this
period, we will share more of the cost with those businesses who
create risks, while reducing burdens on low-risk businesses."
Prospect, which represents HSE inspectors questioned what 'low
risk' now constitutes. Its deputy general-secretary said, "There
needs to be an intellectual assessment of what are low, medium and
high-risk businesses rather than of the fact that 35 per cent of
the budget is being cut."
The UCATT general secretary said, "UCATT will be seeking
assurances from the HSE that there will be no cuts in the level of
front-line construction inspectors, and that there will not be
changes in the manner in which safety laws are applied to
construction."
The IOSH Policy and Technical Director admitted cuts to the
HSE's budget were a concern, adding, "It's important decision
makers remember that good health and safety is good for business
and that health and safety failures are costly – cuts in this area
can be both harmful and a false economy. We understand that cuts
are necessary, but we are extremely concerned that the safety of
both workers and members of the public will be forgotten as
managers desperately try to balance their budgets."
IOSH believes that organisational changes – including reducing
staffing levels, combining departments and changing people's roles
and responsibilities – can increase the risk of injury and ill
health if they are not properly managed.