When things go wrong in public services, the public must be able to hold authorities to account. But the current system of multiple Ombudsman schemes in England is a barrier to justice.
Why we need a single Public Services Ombudsman
Ombudsman powers need to be improved to help people in need and those who may lack confidence in the system.
One way we can achieve progress and reform Ombudsman schemes in England is by establishing a single Public Services Ombudsman. This would bring together the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman, the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman and the Housing Ombudsman.
A single Public Services Ombudsman would:
- save money
- improve the effectiveness and efficiency of public services
- improve access to justice
- be fairer across the four nations of the UK
- allow the UK to keep up with other modern democracies across the globe
- strengthen the scrutiny and transparency of public services.
In 2016, following a public consultation, the Government published its draft Public Service Ombudsman Bill to modernise the complaints service, but this bill was not passed.
We’re now calling for more to be done.
The value of reform
In January 2023, we commissioned independent research from the economic consultancy Social Finance on whether the creation of a single Public Services Ombudsman would be cost effective.
They found that a modern Public Services Ombudsman would cost the taxpayer less per year compared to the current system.
We will continue to work with the Government and Parliament to explore any legislative opportunities to take forward this reform.