Chair of the Work and Pensions Committee MP has written to the Chair of the Health and
Safety Executive about reports
that the HSE was under ‘political’ pressure to approve Personal
Protective Equipment from a particular contractor for use during
the coronavirus pandemic.
The letter (attached) stresses the importance of the HSE being
able to make impartial and independent decisions free from the
influence of Ministers or officials. It follows a report from the BBC last
week about the process followed for approving PPE from
PestFix.
Rt Hon MP, Chair of the Work and Pensions Committee,
says: “NHS workers are putting themselves at risk on the
frontline during this pandemic. They deserve to feel safe and
have confidence that a proper and rigorous process is being
followed to approve the Personal Protective Equipment that
enables them to carry out their vital work.
While it doesn’t appear that any outside pressure influenced
HSE officials making assessments in this case, reports that give
an impression of political interference risk harming faith in the
safety of PPE. This case acts as a crucial reminder of the
importance of the independence of the regulator, and of allowing
expert officials to get on with their job without any perceived
meddling from government.”
The letter asks for an assessment of the role any Government
pressure played in the timing or decision to approve the PPE from
PestFix. It also asks whether concerns about political pressure
had been raised by officials and about the process by which HSE
responds in such situations.
On Wednesday, the National Audit Office published
a report on the Government’s approach to procurement during
the coronavirus pandemic, noting the urgent need to procure PPE
in the first few months. The Committee’s letter asks for details
on how safety assessments are carried out for PPE procured
through the ‘high priority’ lane.
