PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Health and Safety Executive (4 February 2015)

I have received two representations about the transparency of fees invoiced to particular companies under the Fee for Intervention scheme, which were dated 12 November and 10 December 2014.

An independent Panel has reviewed the implementation of Fee for Intervention, including the financial impact on small and medium enterprises found to be in breach in a harsh economic environment. The independent panel concluded that Fee for Intervention had proven effective in achieving the overarching policy aim of shifting the cost of health and safety regulation from the public purse to those businesses that break health and safety laws. It further concluded that the low level of appeals underlined that there was a low level of dissatisfaction amongst duty-holders about the practice, as well as the principle, of the scheme. The majority of invoices are being paid and HSE is taking a proportionate and supportive approach to those who are in financial difficulty.