Lord Young steps down

19 November 2010

The resignation of Prime Minister David Cameron’s ‘enterprise czar’ and adviser on health and safety cannot be allowed to set back the Government’s welcome review and national debate on health and safety, said IOSH today.

It has been widely reported that Lord Young of Graffham resigned as an adviser to the Prime Minister on Friday November 19 after he came under fire for his comments on the recession.

It is little over a month since Young delivered his report on the Government’s review of health and safety, entitled ‘Common sense, Common safety’, and while some elements of the 18 month plan are under way, IOSH says the review cannot succeed without strong leadership.

Richard Jones, IOSH’s Policy and Technical Director, said: “We have worked with Lord Young throughout the review process and now look forward to working with his replacement during the consultation and implementation stages that may follow.

“In our view, it is vital that the Government works closely with the profession when making reforms of critically important areas that can affect people’s health and safety and working lives.”

You can view IOSH’s response to the government review of health and safety by reading the Rebalancing Act or take part in a discussion in our forums.