Ethics and Integrity Commission issues call for evidence as part of review of public service ombudsman schemes

The review will be the Commission’s first since it was established in October 2025 with a stronger mandate and a wider remit than its predecessor, the Committee on Standards in Public Life (CSPL).

In a letter to the Prime Minister, EIC Chair Doug Chalmers said the review would build on the CSPL’s 2025 report called Recognising and responding to early warning signs in public sector bodies, which identified a critical need for the early detection of systemic failures to prevent future tragedies.

The Commission has issued a call for evidence, inviting stakeholders, experts, and the public to contribute their views.

The Review will:

• inquire into the public’s expectations of the role of the modern public sector ombudsman;
• consider how ombudsman schemes should balance handling complaints made by individuals with identifying and investigating systemic failings and supporting public bodies with institutional learning;
• identify the powers required by ombudsman schemes in order to be able to investigate systemic failings; and any barriers to initiating systemic investigations;
• identify the appropriate oversight mechanisms required for any proposed changes;
• examine whether advisory complaint standards are sufficient for encouraging high standards of complaints handling in the public sector or whether ombudsman complaint standards should be statutory;
• consider whether the recommendations of ombudsman schemes should be binding; and
• explore ways to make it easier for the public to navigate the public sector ombudsman landscape.

The closing date for submissions is 30 April 2026. The Commission said it intends to publish the review findings in the New Year.

EIC Chair Doug Chalmers, said: “We want to look at whether the powers public sector ombudsman have, and the way they currently operate, enables them to pick up themes and highlight developing problems in our institutions.

“Scandals like Grenfell Tower, Infected Blood, and the tragic death of Awaab Ishak all proved that the cost of systemic failures is unacceptable. The EIC will explore whether the unique vantage point of ombudsman schemes - informed by the volume and nature of public complaints - offers a significant opportunity to recognise early warning signs.

“We want to see whether their perspective can be better utilised, to address issues before they escalate, with the ultimate goal of preventing future tragedies.”

The terms of reference for the review can be seen here.

Lottie Winson