Duty of candour

The King’s Speech on 13 May confirmed the upcoming parliamentary programme and there is much for the emergency services to watch as police reform, NHS modernisation, fire safety and cyber resilience will see huge changes taking place.

The government has introduced the Hillsborough Law, placing a legal duty of candour on public officials and expanding legal aid for bereaved families, in a landmark move to prevent future cover-ups and deliver justice.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has promised that a new ‘duty of candour law’ for public officials will be implemented by April 2025.

Ahead of the publication of the second report from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry in September, former fire chiefs share their thoughts on how public servants can successfully contribute to public inquiries and how this is at the heart of the duty of candour soon to be applied to all working in the public sector.

The King has set out the commitments of the new government in a heavily trailed speech as part of the State Opening of Parliament that includes legislation to help tackle anti-social behaviour, bring in Martyn’s Law and extend the duty of candour to all public servants.