Home Office written question – answered on 21st June 2021.
To ask Her Majesty's Government what formal role Ministers have in scrutinising the work of Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services.
HMICFRS is deliberately independent of government and the bodies they inspect. However, Home Office Ministers have a number of formal scrutiny / oversight roles in relation to its inspection work, which are laid out in legislation:
For both policing and fire & rescue service inspections, Ministers can ask for HMICFRS to take account of pertinent issues. Ministers also have the opportunity to scrutinise HMICFRS inspection findings. They will often receive embargoed copies and a briefing prior to publication of reports where they can discuss and raise any concerns on any of HMICFRS’ findings.
Responsibility for scrutiny of the corporate aspects of HMICFRS lies with the Permanent Secretary (as the Principal Accounting Officer). However, Ministers will have sight of pertinent issues and their approval is sought where necessary e.g. Ministers approve the annual operating budget for HMICFRS.
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