Funding affecting HSE service

Inadequate funding is undermining the ability of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to carry out its’ work, MPs have warned.

A Work and Pensions Committee report claims it has been unable to obtain a clear picture of the HSE’s financial settlement, six months after the government published its 2007 spending review.

It also accuses the Department for Work and Pensions of “obfuscation” over a reported £12m spending shortfall by the HSE in 2007-08, reported the Financial Times.

The report has recommended more front line health and safety inspectors, more frequent site visits, bigger fines and more prosecutions.

There have been fears for several months the HSE might have its' budget cut by 15%.