The regulatory framework for single source defence contracts came fully into effect in December 2014. It controls the prices of qualifying contracts and requires transparency on the part of defence contractors regarding their prices and capacity to continue to meet government requirements.

The Secretary of State is required to complete periodic reviews of the framework, with the first review to be completed by December 2017. The SSRO’s functions include keeping the operation of the framework under review and making such recommendations for change to the Secretary of State as it considers appropriate. In carrying out a review, the Secretary of State must have regard to any recommendations made by the SSRO, provided these are submitted six months before the date on which the review is to be completed. This means that the SSRO has to make recommendations in June 2017 in order to meet the statutory deadline.

On 30 January 2017 the SSRO published a consultation which proposed a number of recommendations for the first review of the regulatory framework for single source defence contracts. The SSRO has focused its proposed recommendations for change on three key areas: ensuring that single source spending is appropriately covered by the regime; enhancing transparency; and providing effective enforcement of the regime. As part of our consultation, the SSRO also held meetings and workshops with key stakeholders.

Before reaching our final conclusions and publishing our recommendations in June 2017, the SSRO has today sent to consultation respondents an update on its review of the regulatory framework, outlining the feedback we have received from stakeholders and the progress made since the consultation closed on 24 March 2017.

MAIBs report of the collision between the rigid inflatable boats (RIBs) Osprey and Osprey II resulting in serious injuries to one passenger in the Firth of Forth, Scotland on 19 July 2016 is now published.

The report contains details of what happened, subsequent actions taken, and recommendations made.

MAIB statement:

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch has investigated several accidents in which people have been injured as a result of inappropriate seating on RIBs.

The message is clear: There are currently no regulations preventing persons on RIBs from sitting on the inflatable tubes. Passengers not sitting on suitable inboard seating have an increased risk of falling overboard, are at significant risk of musculoskeletal injuries and, as demonstrated by this accident, are exposed to serious injury in the event of a collision. The faster the RIB, the greater the risk.

As a consequence, we have today recommended the Maritime and Coastguard Agency to include in its forthcoming Recreational Craft Code that the certified maximum number of passengers carried on commercially operated passenger carrying RIBs should be limited to the number of suitable seats designated for passengers. We have also made a recommendation to the Royal Yachting Association aimed at improving the guidance available to the operators of commercial passenger carrying RIBs.

A safety flyer for the small commercial vessel industry summarising the accident and detailing the safety lessons learned has also been produced and is contained as an annex to the report. The flyer can be viewed and downloaded as a separate document here.

The Commission has been asking for comments and views on its approach to registering organisations that use or promote complementary and alternative medicines (CAM). In particular the consultation asked what level and nature of evidence the Commission should accept to determine whether an organisation’s purposes are beneficial to the public or whether any potential harm may outweigh the benefits.

The regulator is pleased with the level of engagement and response to its consultation which closes on the 19 May 2017 with over 300 responses already received. The regulator also held 2 consultation sessions on the 15 and 16 of May with a range of interested bodies including health professional regulators, sector bodies and campaign groups to receive detailed feedback on the consultation questions.

The Commission is now analysing the submissions received and expects to publish a formal analysis of the consultation within 12 weeks. The Commission expects to set out its policy, informed by the review in autumn 2017.

John Maton, Head of Charitable Status at the Commission, said:

In asking these questions, we have been aware of the considerable public debate around the role of complementary and alternative medicines in today’s society. Our approach has been to seek a wide range of views to inform our future approach to CAM. It is clear that there are strongly held but conflicting views on the types and level of evidence that should be required.

We are now carefully considering the responses received and will respond with our initial findings in due course.

The consultation runs from Monday 13 March to 19 May 2017. The consultation document can be found on GOV.UK.

Ends.

PR 40/17

Notes to editors

1. The Charity Commission is the independent regulator of charities in England and Wales. To find out more about our work, see our annual report.
2. Search for charities on our online register.