Autumn 2026 saw further developments around the Public Office (Accountability) Bill, known as the "Hillsborough Law".
Andy Burnham, the original sponsor of the 2017 Private Members' Bill from which the legislation developed, continued to push for its passage as one of his political priorities, with further legislative progress anticipated following Parliament's return from the summer break.
The session explored the implications of the Bill and what organisations could do to prepare for its introduction, including:
- How the Bill would apply to inquiries and inquests already under way, and what organisations needed to consider;
- How the Bill would apply to private sector bodies involved in delivering public services, and what public and private sector partners could do to prepare;
- How organisations could assess their existing ethical codes against the Hillsborough Law requirements; and
- How organisations could ensure their staff and senior officers were aware of and prepared for the Bill's new criminal offences.
