The money keeps rolling in to the HSE
On the up. Figures obtained by law firm DWF identify that the HSE charged businesses more than £1 million between February and March 2013 under its fee for intervention scheme.
Increase. This figure represents a £232,000 increase on the total collected in the previous period.
Who’s in the firing line? Unsurprisingly, it’s those in the highest risk sectors that are having to pay up. The construction sector has fared particularly badly; it saw the largest increase in invoices (68%) followed by manufacturing (28%).
Inside line. Although the headline figures show that the amount being brought in is increasing, our mole at the HSE has indicated that the scheme continues to be far from popular with inspectors.
The problem. They believe that the scheme has had a more significant and, therefore unfair, impact on smaller businesses. Some have commented that a number of large companies aren’t remotely bothered about the scheme; they feel £124 per hour is a reasonable fee for advice from an inspector - which wasn’t the idea at all!
Tip. Following any identified breach of the law, keep all correspondence with inspectors short and snappy. Fees kick in after six minutes, so short e-mails and letters are the order of the day.
Create your profile to unlock this advice and many more.