The Government keeps the effectiveness of the criminal law under review, including the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007. The 2007 Act created a specific offence to ensure that organisations can be held criminally accountable where serious management failures leading to a gross breach of a duty of care result in death. The offence has been used to secure convictions and substantial fines where the evidential test has been met.

The Ministry of Justice has not undertaken a recent formal review of the 2007 Act but continues to monitor its operation through relevant criminal justice agencies and enforcement authorities.

The Home Office works closely with policing partners, including the National Police Chiefs' Council and the Office of the Police Chief Scientific Adviser, to support the development, testing and evaluation of technologies that can improve public and officer safety.

Through this work, the Department supports policing to assess emerging technologies, build the evidence base for their use and identify opportunities to learn from innovation and best practice, including developments in other countries where relevant. The Home Office also supports research, development and trialling activity in a range of areas aligned to policing operational needs.

Decisions on the operational use of technology are for chief constables, who are responsible for ensuring that any technology deployed by their force is lawful, proportionate and suitable for local policing requirements.

The Government takes the safety of police officers extremely seriously and is clear that police officers should have the best possible protection when facing physical violence.

The Home Office sets robust standards for a range of personal protective equipment used by policing, including protective headwear, body armour (including ballistic protection and slash resistance), flame retardant overalls and irritant sprays. This equipment is subject to a comprehensive testing and certification process which supports consistency and ensures confidence in police personal protective equipment. These standards are based on police operational requirements and outline the minimum performance requirements and test methods to ensure that protective equipment purchased for police officers is safe and fit for purpose. Manufacturers and police forces can submit equipment for testing against these standards. Equipment that meets the required criteria is certified as compliant with Home Office standards.

The Government takes the safety of police officers extremely seriously and is clear that police officers should have the best possible protection when facing physical violence.

The Home Office sets robust standards for a range of personal protective equipment used by policing, including protective headwear, body armour (including ballistic protection and slash resistance), flame retardant overalls and irritant sprays. This equipment is subject to a comprehensive testing and certification process which supports consistency and ensures confidence in police personal protective equipment. These standards are based on police operational requirements and outline the minimum performance requirements and test methods to ensure that protective equipment purchased for police officers is safe and fit for purpose. Manufacturers and police forces can submit equipment for testing against these standards. Equipment that meets the required criteria is certified as compliant with Home Office standards.

Decisions on whether to investigate incidents or concerns are made by selecting those where the risk is highest and where the greatest regulatory impact can be made with available resources within the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

HSE use an evidence-based approach to select incidents for further enquires and investigation (this includes factors such as the vulnerability of the persons affected and the level of potential harm). This approach helps us to decide on the most appropriate type of intervention.

In 2024-25, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) carried out 67 site inspections relating to incidents involving falling objects from scaffolding onto public highways.

This comprised 23 inspections arising from concerns raised by members of the public and others, and 44 investigations following reports made under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR).

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has recently consulted on proposed changes to the lead in blood exposure levels in the Control of Lead at Work Regulations (CLAW) 2002. The consultation has allowed HSE to gain more detailed evidence to help better understand the impact of the proposed levels in the working environment. This includes considering the impact on different workers and the operability of any proposed changes.

HSE is currently analysing the consultation responses prior to making any further recommendations for reform. Since early 2025, HSE has been engaging with the heritage sector about possible changes to CLAW and are continuing to engage with a range of businesses to inform this work.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has recently consulted on proposed changes to the lead in blood exposure levels in the Control of Lead at Work Regulations (CLAW) 2002. The consultation has allowed HSE to gain more detailed evidence to help better understand the impact of the proposed levels in the working environment. This includes considering the impact on different workers and the operability of any proposed changes.

HSE is currently analysing the consultation responses prior to making any further recommendations for reform. Since early 2025, HSE has been engaging with the heritage sector about possible changes to CLAW and are continuing to engage with a range of businesses to inform this work.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has recently consulted on proposed changes to the lead in blood exposure levels in the Control of Lead at Work Regulations (CLAW) 2002. The consultation has allowed HSE to gain more detailed evidence to help better understand the impact of the proposed levels in the working environment. This includes considering the impact on different workers and the operability of any proposed changes.

HSE is currently analysing the consultation responses prior to making any further recommendations for reform. Since early 2025, HSE has been engaging with the heritage sector about possible changes to CLAW and are continuing to engage with a range of businesses to inform this work.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has recently consulted on proposed changes to the lead in blood exposure levels in the Control of Lead at Work Regulations (CLAW) 2002. The consultation has allowed HSE to gain more detailed evidence to help better understand the impact of the proposed levels in the working environment. This includes considering the impact on different workers and the operability of any proposed changes.

HSE is currently analysing the consultation responses prior to making any further recommendations for reform. Since early 2025, HSE has been engaging with the heritage sector about possible changes to CLAW and are continuing to engage with a range of businesses to inform this work.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has recently consulted on proposed changes to the lead in blood exposure levels in the Control of Lead at Work Regulations (CLAW) 2002. The consultation has allowed HSE to gain more detailed evidence to help better understand the impact of the proposed levels in the working environment. This includes considering the impact on different workers and the operability of any proposed changes.

HSE is currently analysing the consultation responses prior to making any further recommendations for reform. Since early 2025, HSE has been engaging with the heritage sector about possible changes to CLAW and are continuing to engage with a range of businesses to inform this work.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has recently consulted on proposed changes to the lead in blood exposure levels in the Control of Lead at Work Regulations (CLAW) 2002. The consultation has allowed HSE to gain more detailed evidence to help better understand the impact of the proposed levels in the working environment. This includes considering the impact on different workers and the operability of any proposed changes.

HSE is currently analysing the consultation responses prior to making any further recommendations for reform. Since early 2025, HSE has been engaging with the heritage sector about possible changes to CLAW and are continuing to engage with a range of businesses to inform this work.

Restrictions and exemptions are set out in the Water Resources Act 1991 and the Drought Direction 2011.

The Government recognises the challenges of extreme heat for sport and physical activity, and encourages all sports bodies, organisers, and local clubs to monitor weather-health alerts and take appropriate steps.

Through its environmental sustainability strategy, Every Move, our arm’s length body Sport England provides tools, resources, and funding to build climate resilience across the grassroots sector. As part of this work, Sport England is developing guidance to support the sector in adapting to climate change.

In addition the Sports Grounds Safety Authority (SGSA), the Government’s advisory body on safety at sports grounds, has published guidance on Planning for Extreme Heat at Sports Grounds, setting out practical steps on shade mapping, water provision, staff welfare, and contingency protocols.

Businesses in the hair and beauty sector including barber shops, hairdressers and beauty salons are required to comply with the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and associated regulations, which place duties on businesses to assess and control the risk for employees and others affected by their work, including members of the public.

While the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) are the policy lead for the hair and beauty sector, responsibility for enforcing health and safety legislation at individual businesses rests with the local authority in which the premises are located.

Great Britain has a well-established regulatory framework to protect workers from exposure to harmful dusts, including from processing engineered stone.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is delivering a targeted programme of over 1000 inspections to enforce duties on employers to prevent or adequately control exposure, as is required by the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002. HSE is also raising awareness of how to control the risk from using engineered stone through a focussed publicity campaign and engagement with industry stakeholders.

HSE will consider the findings from planned inspections, enforcement and engagement activities to assess whether additional restriction on the supply and use of engineered stone is necessary to prevent workers being exposed to silica dust from work activities using engineered stone products.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) provides guidance to employers on measures they can take to protect workers during periods of extreme heat. This includes considering changes to working arrangements and relaxing formal dress codes, including staff uniform policies, where appropriate. However, employers must ensure that any personal protective equipment required for the work activity continues to be worn.

HSE will be launching a public consultation on proposed changes to the Approved Code of Practice for the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, including those relating to workplace temperature and there will be an opportunity to respond in due course.

Employers have duties under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 to assess and control risks to workers and others arising from their activities. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) already provides guidance on infections and biological hazards at work, including risk assessment, infection control measures, and preventing exposure to biological agents.

HSE's guidance makes it clear that employers should identify biological hazards, assess who may be harmed and implement proportionate control measures. These may include the use of disinfectants, appropriate hygiene arrangements and surfaces that can be easily cleaned where necessary to reduce the likelihood and spread of infection. Where no specific biological hazards are identified, employers should nevertheless ensure suitable workplace hygiene arrangements are in place.

For settings with specific infection prevention requirements, such as health and adult social care, additional sector-specific guidance is available from the Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England.

HSE keeps its guidance under review and has not identified a need for additional formal guidance specifically on workplace cleanliness and hygiene standards to prevent the spread of infectious diseases or antimicrobial resistance.