To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 1 June 2021 to Question 6431on Health and Safety Executive: Staff, for what reason the Health and Safety Executive's use of contingent labour has increased from seven in 2016-17 to 227 at the end of April 2021.
Answered on
16 June 2021
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has traditionally engaged a few contractors, but the numbers increased substantially during 2019/20 and 2020/21 in order to deliver significant programmes of work, including:
- A Programme to establish a new Building Safety Regulator as part of HSE in accordance with the recommendations of Dame Judith Hackitt’s Independent Review of ‘Building Regulations and Fire Safety’ and the Building Safety Bill which will shortly be introduced in the Commons.
- Establishment of UK Chemicals regimes during the EU exit transition period, including development to ensure HSE could carry out functions previously carried out on our behalf by EU institutions.
- To complete a targeted and proactive programme of spot checks to ensure workplaces are COVID-secure and respond to workplace and localised outbreaks using a blend of regulatory interventions supported by multi-channel communications. The short-term nature of this funding has meant a greater use of contingent labour to deliver the activity.
Answered by
Department for Work and Pensions