Been reading this really useful forum for a while but never posted. However I've just seen this from DWP re cuts and thought it worth posting DWP statement • The Government remains committed to a health and safety regime that is fair, balanced and proportionate. Sensible health and safety at work helps to maintain a healthy and productive workforce and contributes to economic prosperity. • In the current economic climate, it is appropriate that HSE should be asked to reduce its costs in the same way as the rest of the public sector. In seeking to achieve savings of at least 35% over the SR10 period, we will share more of the cost with those businesses who create risks, while reducing burdens on low-risk businesses. • We will consider the recommendations of Lord YoungÂ’s review and design a streamlined health and safety system that is fit for the 21st century while remaining true to the core principles set out by Lord Robens in 1972. This looks like bad news.

"we will share more of the cost with those businesses who create risks, while reducing burdens on low-risk businesses." Those who are more likely to have accidents will pay, while those who do not; will not. Reality break: Single-person companies and small employers, those who are more likely to have accidents (more of them) will not have the money to pay fines and costs.