HSE BUDGET CUTS RISK WORKERS' SAFETY - CABLE

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 6th May 2003

Following reports that the Government's investment in the Health & Safety Executive will be cut in the next 2 years, Vince Cable MP - Liberal Democrat Trade & Industry Shadow Secretary - expressed his dismay at the continuing risks to workers' safety:

"Currently, only about 20% of reported serious accidents get investigated. Successfully prosecuted cases - only about 10% - attract very low fines and do not provide an effective deterrent to cowboy companies who won't take safety seriously."

"Plans to reduce HSE spending in 2003-04 will result in 50 inspectors, due to leave in the next 12 months, not being replaced.

"With no strong Corporate Killing law, which the Government has been promising for 6 years and has done nothing about, it is critical that the HSE invest in a sufficient, effective, properly trained resource to investigate and prosecute where negligence has occurred."

"I must urge the Government to put Corporate Killing law at the top of its agenda and review its HSE spending plans. The time has come to invest seriously in saving people's lives and to call cavalier killers to account."

"ENDS (Notes for editors)"

" • Prospect, the Union for HSE employees, has reported that HSE's annual budget for 2002/03 is £258m, but under the Government's spending review plans, no allowance has been made for inflation or other increasing costs over the next three years. These will leave HSE with a 10 per cent drop in funding - (£262m for 2004 and 2005 and £260m for 2006)"

"Prospect represents HSE safety inspectors, including factories, mines, nuclear, rail, chemicals, construction, off-shore and agriculture inspectors as well as scientists and other professional and technical staff.