Draft legislation published for creation of Public Service Ombudsman

The Cabinet Office has published draft legislation for the introduction of a new Public Service Ombudsman.

The measures in the Draft Public Service Ombudsman Bill are intended to “ensure that anyone who makes a justified complaint can expect a rapid, effective remedy and that their voice will be heard”, it said.

The Cabinet Office added that “important new powers” would allow the new Ombudsman to work more effectively with an explicit role in championing improvements in complaints handling. It also said there would be strengthened governance and accountability.

Minister for the Constitution Chris Skidmore said: “This Government is determined to build a democracy that works for everyone - and in which everyone’s voice matters across the country.

“That is why we are introducing a new Public Service Ombudsman to provide the public with greater confidence that their voices have been heard and their complaints taken seriously. Holding public services to account will ensure they are improved for everyone, and deliver a clear and secure democracy that everyone can have confidence in.”

The move has been welcomed by the Local Government Ombudsman, Dr Jane Martin, and the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman, Julie Mellor. Under the proposals the LGO and the PSHO would be combined into the new organisation.

In a joint statement Mellor and Martin said: "The creation of a single Public Ombudsman Service will make it easier for people to have their complaints about public services resolved.

"The current complaint system is too complex and fragmented, leaving people confused as to which ombudsman to turn to if things go wrong or haven’t been resolved locally.

"We have long been urging the government for these reforms, and are delighted we are one step closer to making this a reality.

"We will be looking at the proposals carefully and look forward to working with the government to agree a practical and realistic timescale."