17 November 2006
Health and education took a back seat in the Queen's Speech, but the absence of a Bill merging the health and social care inspectorates drew confused responses.
Until last week, the sector expected plans to merge the Commission for Social Care Inspection, the Healthcare Commission and the Mental Health Act Commission by 2008.
The merger would partially fulfil the 2005 Budget pledge to cut the number of public service inspectorates from 11 to four, although that target was scuppered last month by a Home Office U-turn over merger plans for the five criminal justice regulators.
A spokesman for the Local Government Association said they were 'disappointed' by the absence of a merger Bill. However, he added: 'The CSCI has made a strong case that's convinced the government that's not the direction to go in.'
CSCI chair Dame Denise Platt had insisted the two-year-old body had not had enough time to prove the worth of a dedicated adult social care inspectorate.
Despite that, a statement from the Department of Health said it 'remained committed' to the merger and that it was simply delaying it until after consultation later this year. The merger is now unlikely to happen before 2009.
A proposed mental health Bill was met with opposition. The British Medical Association and Mental Health Alliance said they were still concerned that the latest draft emphasised compulsion at the expense of civil liberties.
A measure reforming the Learning and Skills Council was more warmly received, although the LGA expressed concern that a move to regional structures would undermine their involvement in Local Area Agreements.
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