Common Sense: Common Safety

Lord Young of Graffham was appointed by the prime minister personally to advise on health and safety and in particular to review what he called ‘the damaging compensation culture’. Lord Young’s report, Common Sense: Common Safety, published on 15 October, includes an introduction by David Cameron in which he says: ‘Now we need to act on this report and I am delighted that Lord Young has agreed to remain as my advisor on these important issues; to work with departments and all those with an interest in seeing his recommendations put into effect.’ The introduction continued: ‘We’re going to curtail the promotional activities of claims management companies and the compensation culture they help perpetuate. We’re going to end the unnecessary bureaucracy that drains creativity and innovation from our businesses. And we’re going to put a stop to the senseless rules that get in the way of volunteering, stop adults from helping out with other people’s children and penalise our police and fire services for acts of bravery.’