Home > Make a complaint > Parliamentary > What can we look at?
We can look into complaints about government departments and agencies and a range of other public bodies in the UK. If you are approaching the Ombudsman for the first time, you should visit 'Can the Ombudsman help you?'.
If you have suffered because you received a poor service or were not treated properly or fairly - and the organisation hasn't put things right where it could have - we may be able to help you.
Before contacting us you should try to make your complaint to the organisation involved. After doing this, if you don't receive a satisfactory answer from the organisation or if you have not had a response, please contact our Helpline on 0845 015 4033.
Examples of the sorts of complaints we can look into include:
- Failure to provide a service
- Delay that could have been avoided
- Faulty procedures, or failing to follow correct procedures
- Not telling you about any rights of appeal open to you
- Unfairness, bias or prejudice
- Giving advice which is misleading or inadequate
- Refusing to answer reasonable questions
- Rudeness and not apologising for mistakes
- Mistakes in handling your claims
- Not putting things right when something has gone wrong
- The Ombudsman can also work jointly with the Local Government Ombudsman in some cases where complaints may cover more than one Ombudsman's jurisdiction. A fact sheet is available here
What can't we look at?
Before making your complaint you should know that there are some things we can't look at, such as complaints about government policy or the content of legislation. (Government makes policy decisions and Parliament decides the law.)
In some cases we can't investigate complaints because we don't have the legal power to do so, for example we can't look at:
If you are not sure whether or not we can help please call our Helpline.
In other cases, there may be another more appropriate organisation to deal with your complaint, for example for some complaints the only or best way for you to get the remedy you want may be through going to court or to a tribunal.
We recommend you call our Helpline on 0845 015 4033 to check that we can help with your complaint and for advice on filling in your form.
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