Regulatory bodies need substantial funding boost

The NASUWT – The Teachers’ Union will today call for substantial increases in the
budgets of key regulatory bodies which failed to protect frontline workers throughout the
Covid-19 pandemic.

The Union will tell TUC Congress that the pandemic highlighted the key role that regulators
such as the HSE and EHRC should play in ensuring that all workers are safe at work and
treated fairly.

However, significant cuts made to the budgets of regulatory bodies over the last decade
have left them ill-equipped to protect workers and the public.

The NASUWT is appalled by the lack of prosecutions taken against employers during the
pandemic despite thousands of deaths of frontline workers.

The Union is calling on the Government to increase the budgets of the HSE and EHRC
substantially and to boost the numbers of inspectors on the ground.

NASUWT General Secretary Dr Patrick Roach said:
“The Government must learn lessons from the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Too many employers have failed to meet their legal duties to protect their workforce during
this critical period, but have not been held to account for their actions.

“Regulations are completely pointless without enforcement.

“We are determined to highlight the impact of these regulatory failings in the forthcoming
Covid-19 independent public inquiry.

“We urge the Government to make substantial increases to the budgets of the HSE and the
EHRC.

“Ensuring adequate regulations, inspection and enforcement is key to ensuring that schools,
colleges and other workplaces are safe for everyone.”