Consultations and inquiries

The wide range of subjects that we investigate across many different sectors provides a unique perspective on the delivery of public services in Scotland. One of the ways in which we seek to share the learning from the investigations is through our responses to inquiries and consultations undertaken by the Parliament and Government.

To read our submissions please follow the links below:

2018

Date	Title
02 February 2018	Response to the call for evidence on the Planning (Scotland) Bill (PDF, 138KB)
31 January 2018	Agenda and Meeting Papers from Local Government and Communities Committee, attended by SPSO on 31 January 2018. This link takes you to the PDF (340KB) held on the Scottish Parliament website.
31 January 2018	Report of Local Government and Communities Committee, attended by SPSO on 31 January 2018. This link takes you to the transcript on the Scottish Parliament website.
29 January 2018	Response to consultation on the Provisions of the Education (Scotland) Bill. (PDF, 39KB)
25 January 2018	Ombudsman's evidence to the Social Security Committee on the Social Security (Scotland) Bill. This link takes you to the transcript on the Scottish Parliament website.
24 January 2018	Ombudsman's briefing note submitted to the Local Government and Communities Committee ahead of appearance on 31 January 2018 (PDF, 394KB)

2017

Date	Title
4 September 2017	Ombudsman's evidence to the Social Security Commitee on the Social Security (Scotland) Bill. This link takes you to the PDF (150KB) held on the Scottish Parliament website.
24 August 2017	Letter and briefing note to the Education and Skills Commitee regarding the Children and Young People (Information Sharing) Scotland Bill. This link takes you to the PDF (153KB) held on the Scottish Parliament website.
21 August 2017	Response to the Health and Sport Committee's inquiry into NHS Governance: Clinical Governance (PDF 236KB)
17 January 2017	Transcript of our oral evidence to the Scottish Parliament Health and Sport Committee. This link takes you to the Scottish Parliament transcript.
17 January 2017	Ombudsman's evidence to the Scottish Parliament Health and Sport Committee. This link takes you to the Committee's webpage.
17 January 2017	Response to the Scottish Government consultation 'Empowering teachers, parents and communities to achieve excellence and equity in education: A Governance Review' (PDF 37KB)
11 January 2017	Transcript of our oral evidence to the Scottish Parliament Local Government and Communities Committee. This link takes you to the Scottish Parliament transcript.
11 January 2017	Ombudsman's evidence to the Scottish Parliament Local Government and Communities Committee. This link takes you to the Committee's webpage.

2016

Date	Title
28 October 2016	Response to the Scottish Government consultation on Social Security in Scotland (PDF 38KB)
24 August 2016	Response to the Scottish Government proposal for the introduction of a "No Blame" redress scheme (PDF 216KB)
12 February 2016	Response to the Local Government and Regeneration Committee call for evidence on the Local Government Benchmarking Framework (PDF 78KB)
10 February 2016	Response to the Scottish Government consultation on proposals for the introduction of the role of an Independent National (Whistleblowing) Officer for NHSScotland Staff (PDF 169KB)
26 January 2016	Response to Scottish Parliament Welfare Reform Committee's call for evidence on the draft Welfare Funds (Scotland) Regulations 2016 (PDF 154KB)
15 January 2016	Response to Welsh Assembly Finance Committee's consultation on the Draft Public Service Ombudsman (Wales) Bill (PDF 157KB)

2015

Date	Title
14 December 2015	Response to Scottish Government's Consultation on a Draft Order to revise the procedure for complaints about social work (PDF 100KB)
10 December 2015	Response to Care Inspectorate's consultation on draft Human Rights and Well-being Principles (PDF 154KB)
18 November 2015	Response to Scottish Parliament European and External Relations Committee's call for evidence on their Human Rights Inquiry (PDF 108KB)
5 November 2015	Response to Scottish Parliament Local Government and Regeneration Committee's call for evidence on arm's length external organisations (ALEOs) (PDF 155KB)
30 October 2015	Response to Scottish Government's Consultation on complaints concerning functions relating to the Named Person and Child's Plan (PDF 224KB)
23 September 2015	Transcript of our oral evidence to Scottish Parliament Local Government and Regeneration Committee (as part of their examination of the complaints process for integrated health and social care provision). The link takes you to the Scottish Parliament's transcript. The Ombudsman's evidence appears in the section on Joint Health and Social Care (Complaints Process).
22 September 2015	Letter to Northern Ireland Assembly Committee for Justice regarding the handling of prisoner complaints in Northern Ireland (PDF 125KB)
28 August 2015	Letter to Scottish Parliament Local Government and Regeneration Committee on the complaints process for joint health and social care services (PDF 83KB) (Scottish Parliament website)
21 August 2015	Response to Scottish Government's Consultation on Regulations and Guidance under the Welfare Funds (PDF 237KB)
6 August 2015	Response to Scottish Parliament Finance Committee's call for evidence on the proposed Health (Tobacco, Nicotine etc & Care)(Scotland) Bill - focussing on the duty of candour proposal. (PDF 182KB)
10 June 2015	Transcript of our oral evidence to Scottish Parliament Local Government and Regeneration Committee on the complaints process for joint health and social care services. The link takes you to the Scottish Parliament's transcript.
9 June 2015	Transcript of our oral evidence to Scottish Parliament Justice Committee on the Apologies (Scotland) Bill. The link takes you to the Scottish Parliament's transcript.
9 June 2015	Transcript of Ombudsman's oral evidence to Scottish Parliament Education and Culture Committee on the Education (Scotland) Bill. The link takes you to the Scottish Parliament's transcript. The Ombudsman's evidence is in the second part of the session, which starts at 11:23 in the transcript.
5 June 2015	Response to the Cabinet Office's consultation 'A Public Service Ombudsman' (PDF 217KB)
2 June 2015	Transcript of our oral evidence to Scottish Parliament Health and Sport Committee (as part of their inquiry into palliative care in Scotland)
27 May 2015	Letter to Scottish Parliament Local Government and Regeneration Committee on the complaints process for joint health and social care services (PDF 247KB)
25 May 2015	Response to Northern Ireland Assembly Ad Hoc Committee's call for evidence on the Northern Ireland Public Services Ombudsperson (NIPSO) Bill (PDF 120KB)
15 May 2015	Response to Scottish Parliament Health and Sport Committee's call for written views about palliative care (PDF 138KB)
15 May 2015	Response to Scottish Parliament Education and Culture Committee's call for evidence on the Education (Scotland) Bill (PDF 181KB)
8 May 2015	Responses to Scottish Parliament Justice Committee's call for evidence on the Apologies (Scotland) Bill (PDF 49KB) and to Finance Committee's call for evidence on the Financial Memorandum of the Bill (PDF 147KB)
30 March 2015	Joint response to Law Commission's consultation on electoral law (PDF 140KB)
24 February 2015	Letter to National Assembly for Wales Finance Committee providing additional information following evidence session on 4 February 2015 (PDF 134KB)
4 February 2015	Transcript of Ombudsman's oral evidence to National Assembly for Wales Finance Committee on their consideration of powers of the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales. The link takes you to the Welsh Assembly transcript. The Ombudsman's evidence is in the second part of the session, which starts on page 16 of the transcript.
13 January 2015	Response to Scottish Government's consultation on proposals to introduce a statutory duty of candour for health and social care services (PDF 235KB)
7 January 2015	Ombudsman's evidence to the Scottish Parliament Local Government and Regeneration Committee, including his written response to follow-up questions. The link is to the Committee web page containing all information, questions and responses relating to the Ombudsman's appearance before them.

2014

Date	Title
18 December 2014	Response to Scottish Parliament Local Government and Regeneration Committee's questions on petition (PDF 172KB)
2 November 2014	Response to General Medical Council consultation 'Reviewing how we deal with concerns about doctors' (PDF 172KB)
13 October 2014	Response to the Scottish Government’s Further Consultation on the Draft Public Services Reform (Inspection and Monitoring of Prisons) (formerly Prison Visiting Committees) Order 2014 (PDF 92KB)
17 September 2014	Response to the Scottish Government consultation on the National Care Standards review (PDF 63KB)
9 September 2014	Response to the Scottish Government consultation on proposals to reform fatal accident inquiries legislation (PDF 62KB)
28 August 2014	Response to the Scottish Parliament Welfare Reform Committee's call for evidence on the Welfare Funds (Scotland) Bill (PDF 60KB)
28 August 2014	Response to the Scottish Parliament Finance Committee's call for evidence on the Financial Memorandum for the Welfare Funds (Scotland) Bill (PDF 156KB)
1 August 2014	Response to Scottish Government consultation on the Draft Regulations and Orders Relating to Public Bodies (Joint Working) (Scotland) Act 2014 (PDF, 246KB)
2 July 2014	SPSO briefing note on review function in the Welfare Funds (Scotland) Bill (PDF, 299KB) (information in advance of consultation)
3 June 2014	Response to Department for Business Innovation and Skills consultation on the Implementation of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Directive and the Online Dispute Resolution Regulations (PDF 180KB)
28 April 2014	Response to Scottish Government consultation on the Scottish Regulators’ Strategic Code of Practice (PDF 223KB)
27 March 2014	Response to Scottish Government consultation on repealing section 70 of the Education (Scotland) Act 1980 (PDF 264KB)
21 February 2014	Response to Healthcare Improvement Scotland's consultation on their draft annual scrutiny and inspection plan (PDF 161KB)
19 February 2014	Response to the Scottish Parliament Finance Committee on the Revenue Scotland and Tax Powers Bill (PDF 52KB)
7 February 2014	Response to Scottish Government consultation on the Scottish Welfare Fund (PDF 46KB)
5 February 2014	Transcript of Ombudsman's oral evidence to the Scottish Parliament Health and Sport Committee (as part of their annual scrutiny of inspection, regulation and complaints bodies). The link takes you to the Scottish Parliament transcript. The Ombudsman's evidence appears in the second part of the session on the scrutiny of inspection, regulation and complaints bodies, which begins at 11.12 on the transcript.
31 January 2014	Response to HM Inspectorate of Prisons for Scotland's consultation on Draft Standards for the Inspection of Prisons in Scotland (PDF 124KB)
31 January 2014	Response to the Scottish Government's call for evidence on the Public Services Reform (Prison Visiting Committees) (Scotland) Order 2014 (PDF 205KB)
27 January 2014	Ombudsman's annual written evidence to the Scottish Parliament Health and Sport Committee (The link is to the Committee agenda document for the meeting, which includes the Ombudsman's evidence at page 18)
27 January 2014	Ombudsman's evidence to the Scottish Parliament Local Government and Regeneration Committee, including his written response to follow-up questions(PDF, 327KB) (The link is to the Committee web page containing all information, questions and responses relating to the Ombudsman's appearance before them)

2013

Date	Title
11 December 2013	Transcript of Ombudsman's oral evidence to the Scottish Parliament Local Government and Regeneration Committee (Scottish Parliament website)
11 December 2013	Papers for the Scottish Parliament Local Government and Regeneration Committee (PDF, 1.7KB) including Ombudsman's written evidence and response to questions on 2012-13 annual report
10 December 2013	Transcript of Ombudsman's oral evidence to the Public Administration Select Committee at Westminster
10 December 2013	Ombudsman's written evidence to the Public Administration Select Committee at Westminster (PDF 66KB) in response to their request for evidence for their inquiry on the service provided by the (UK) Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman
25 November 2013	Response to the Public Petitions Committee's request for evidence on petition PE1488 (PDF 139KB) (on whistleblowing)
8 November 2013	Response to the Scottish Justice Committee’s call for evidence on the Public Services Reform (Prison Visiting Committees) (Scotland) Order 2014 (PDF 200KB)
10 October 2013	Response to the Public Petitions Committee's request for evidence on petition PE1484 (PDF 207KB) (calling for an independent examinations regulatory body)
1 October 2013	Text of SPSO oral evidence to the Scottish Parliament's Health and Sport Committee on the Public Bodies (Joint Working)(Scotland) Bill (meeting about role of regulator/complaints bodies in integration of health and social care. The link takes you to the Scottish Parliament website)
2 August 2013	Response to the Scottish Parliament Health and Sport Committee's call for written evidence on the Public Bodies (Joint Working) (Scotland) Bill (PDF 141KB)
25 July 2013	Response to the Scottish Parliament Education and Culture Committee's call for evidence on the Children and Young People (Scotland) Bill (PDF 22KB)
8 July 2013	Response to the Scottish Government's consultation on draft statutory guidance to accompany the Social Care (Self-Directed Support) (Scotland) Act 2013 (PDF 234KB)
27 June 2013	Response to the Scottish Government's consultation on delegation of local authority functions: Mental Health (Care and Treatment)(Scotland) Act 2003 and Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000 (PDF 34KB)
26 April 2013	Response to the Scottish Government's consultation on proposals to update ‘On Board – A Guide for Board Members of Public Bodies in Scotland’ (PDF 20KB)
9 April 2013	Response to the Scottish Government's consultation on tax management (PDF 89KB)
8 April 2013	Response to the Scottish Government's consultation on introducing a new housing panel for Scotland (PDF 108KB)
27 February 2013	Response to Healthcare Improvement Scotland consultation 'Building a national approach to learning from adverse events through reporting and review' (PDF 322KB)
23 January 2013	Text of SPSO evidence to Local Government and Regeneration Committee - speaking to SPSO Annual Report 2011-12 (PDF 439KB)
16 January 2013	SPSO briefing for Local Government and Regeneration Committee (PDF 110KB)
16 January 2013	Written response to Finance Committee on post-16 Education (Scotland) Bill: Financial Memorandum (PDF 127KB)
15 January 2013	SPSO evidence to Health and Sport Committee on their inquiry into the regulation of the care of older people in acute settings (PDF 496KB)
8 January 2013	Written response to Health and Sport Committee on their inquiry into the regulation of the care of older people in acute settings (PDF 220KB)

2012

Date	Title
23 November 2012	Response to consultation on no-fault compensation for injuries resulting from clinical treatment (PDF 287KB)
27 September 2012	Response to Margaret Mitchell MSP consultation on a proposed Apologies Bill (PDF, 64KB)
25 September 2012	Response to Scottish Government consultation on the Children and Young People Bill (PDF 275KB)
25 September 2012	Response to Consumer Focus Scotland consultation on proposals for a Regulated Industries Unit (PDF 40KB)
11 September 2012	Response to Scottish Government consultation on the integration of adult health and social care in Scotland (PDF 270KB)
15 August 2012	Response to Scottish Housing Regulator's consultation on Scottish Social Housing Charter indicators (PDF 169KB)
29 June 2012	Response to Scottish Government consultation on Charter of Patient Rights and Responsibilities (introduced by the Patient Rights (Scotland) Act 2011) (PDF 101KB)
15 March 2012	Response to Scottish Government consultation on the review of procedures for social work complaints in Scotland (PDF 88KB)
9 March 2012	Response to Consumer Focus Scotland's Draft Plan 2012-13 (PDF 50KB)
8 March 2012	Ombudsman's evidence to Local Government and Regeneration Committee (PDF 460KB) (on special reports, strategic plan and issues raised via public petitions)
29 February 2012	Response to Scottish Parliament Health and Sport Committee on their inquiry into the Regulation of Care for Older People (PDF 58KB)
30 January 2012	Response to the Scottish Committee of the Administrative Justice and Tribunals Committee's consultation on administrative decisions made by public bodies in Scotland where there is no right of appeal against the decision or where the right of appeal is inaccessible or inappropriate (PDF 58KB)

2011

Date	Title
25 November 2011	Response to Scottish Housing Regulator consultation on the proposed approach to regulation of social housing in Scotland (PDF 117KB)
2 November 2011	Response to Scottish Government consultation on Reforming Police and Fire and Rescue Services in Scotland (PDF 93KB)
1 November 2011	Response to Scottish Government Scottish Social Housing Charter consultation (PDF 52KB)
14 October 2011	Response to Scottish Government consultation on secondary legislation re Patient Rights (Scotland) Act 2011 (PDF 79KB)
5 September 2011	Response to consultation on direct access to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PDF 49KB)
27 July 2011	Evidence to Scottish Parliament Health and Sport Committee on the regulation of care for older people (PDF 39KB)
10 June 2011	Response to Scottish Prison Service consultation on prison rules (PDF 69KB)
11 January 2011	Response to Police Complaints Commissioner for Scotland consultation on a statutory complaints handling procedure (PDF 185KB)

2010

Date	Title
17 December 2010	Response to NI Assembly consultation on proposals to update legislation to reform the Office of the Northern Ireland Assembly (DOC 44KB)
18 November 2010	Ombudsman gives evidence on Certification of Death (Scotland) Bill (DOC 45KB)
10 November 2010	Ombudsman presents Annual Report to Local Government and Communities Committee (Scottish Parliament website)
5 November 2010	Response to Scottish Government consultation on Regulations relating to the establishment of Social Care and Social Work Improvement Scotland and Health Information Scotland (PDF 27KB)
14 September 2010	Response to Scottish Social Services Council consultation on complaints procedures (PDF 76KB)
27 August 2010	Response to Finance Committee Questionnaire on Financial Memorandum for Victims and Witnesses Bill (DOC, 31KB)
10 August 2010	Accreditation Scheme Consultation Questionnaire SPSO Response (PDF 90KB) and SPSO Letter (DOC 34KB)
4 August 2010	SPSO response to consultation on Record Keeping (DOC 38KB)
18 June 2010	SPSO response to consultation on the Administrative Justice and Tribunals Council’s (AJTC’s) approach to Principles for Administrative Justice (the Principles) (DOC 41KB)
7 May 2010	Ombudsman gives evidence to Health and Sport Committee at Scottish Parliament on Patients Rights (Scotland) Bill (DOC 62KB)
10 March 2010	SPSO response to PHSO Sharing and Publishing Information consultation (PDF 27KB)
19 January 2010	SPSO response to Scottish Government consultation on Public Sector Equality Duty Specific Duties (PDF 19KB)

2009

Date	Title
29 September 2009	Oral evidence to the Finance Committee on the Public Services Reform Bill (Scottish Parliament website)
24 August 2009	Written evidence to the Parliamentary Finance Committee on the Public Services Reform Bill (PDF 26KB)
11 February 2009	Ombudsman presents Annual Report to Local Government and Communities Committee (Scottish Parliament website)
12 January 2009	Review of SPCB Supported Bodies Committee - Supplementary submission on legislation (PDF 110KB)

2008

Date	Title
19 December 2008	SPSO response to the Review of SPCB Supported Bodies Committee of the Scottish Parliament (PDF 133KB)

2007

Date	Title
23 November 2007	Paper for Sutherland Review - Personal Care (PDF 175KB)
14 November 2007	Ombudsman presents Annual Report to Local Government and Communities Committee (Scottish Parliament website)
20 April 2007	SPSO submission to Professor Lorne Crerar’s Independent Review of Regulation, Audit, Inspection and Complaints Handling of Public Services in Scotland (PDF 207KB)
24 January 2007	Ombudsman's written evidence to the Finance Committee - Report on Legislative Consent Memorandum on the Statistics and Registration Service Bill (UK Legislation) (PDF 159KB)

2006

Date	Title
5 December 2006	Ombudsman's oral evidence to the Local Government and Transport Committee (Scottish Parliament website)
28 July 2006	SPSO Response to Scottish Executive's Consultation on Shared Services (PDF 304KB)
6 June 2006	Ombudsman's oral evidence to the Finance Committee Inquiry into Accountability and Governance
16 May 2006	Oral evidence to the Justice 2 Committee on Legal Profession and Legal Aid (Scotland) Bill
18 April 2006	Written evidence submitted to the Finance Committee Inquiry into Accountability and Governance
6 March 2006	Written evidence submitted to the Communities Committee on Planning (etc.) Scotland Bill (PDF 27KB)
6 March 2006	Written evidence submitted to the Health Committee Care Inquiry
6 March 2006	Written evidence submitted to the Health Committee Care for the Elderly Inquiry

2005

Date	Title
21 December 2005	Ombudsman's oral evidence to the Justice 1 Committee on the bill to establish a Scottish Commissioner for Human Rights
17 November 2005	Written evidence submitted to the Justice 1 Committee on the Scottish Commissioner for Human Rights (SCHR) Bill
8 November 2005	Written evidence submitted to the Justice 2 Committee on Independent Police Complaints Commissioner for Scotland (IPCCS) proposal

Date	Title
28 October 2016	Response to the Scottish Government consultation on Social Security in Scotland (PDF 38KB)
24 August 2016	Response to the Scottish Government proposal for the introduction of a "No Blame" redress scheme (PDF 216KB)
12 February 2016	Response to the Local Government and Regeneration Committee call for evidence on the Local Government Benchmarking Framework (PDF 78KB)
10 February 2016	Response to the Scottish Government consultation on proposals for the introduction of the role of an Independent National (Whistleblowing) Officer for NHSScotland Staff (PDF 169KB)

Date	Title
28 October 2016	Response to the Scottish Government consultation on Social Security in Scotland (PDF 38KB)
24 August 2016	Response to the Scottish Government proposal for the introduction of a "No Blame" redress scheme (PDF 216KB)
12 February 2016	Response to the Local Government and Regeneration Committee call for evidence on the Local Government Benchmarking Framework (PDF 78KB)
10 February 2016	Response to the Scottish Government consultation on proposals for the introduction of the role of an Independent National (Whistleblowing) Officer for NHSScotland Staff (PDF 169KB)

Date	Title
28 October 2016	Response to the Scottish Government consultation on Social Security in Scotland (PDF 38KB)

Date	Title
4 September 2017	Ombudsman's evidence to the Social Security Commitee on the Social Security (Scotland) Bill. This link takes you to the PDF (150KB) held on the Scottish Parliament website.

Updated: February 23, 2018