Committees

Follow-up inquiry on PHSO investigation into HS2 complaints

20 January 2016

Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee call for evidence on the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) "Report of the results of an investigation into a complaint about High Speed 2 Ltd (HS2 Ltd)"

Background

In November 2015, the PHSO published its Report of an investigation into a complaint about HS2 Ltd. The investigation looked at HS2 Ltd's communication and engagement with a particular group of residents, including how it had handled complaints. It found that “overall HS2 Ltd's actions fell below the reasonable standards we would expect, so much so that they constituted maladministration.” The report made several recommendations about the steps HS2 Ltd should take to put matters right and to improve its service.

Terms of Reference

PACAC is conducting a short inquiry on these issues and invites written evidence on:

  • The quality and content of the PHSO's report
  • The quality of HS2 Ltd's communication and engagement with residents who may be affected by HS2
  • The way in which HS2 Ltd deals with complaints about its engagement with residents
  • Ways in which HS2 Ltd could improve its communication and engagement with residents who may be affected by HS2
  • Ways in which HS2 Ltd could improve its complaint handling procedures

Submissions should be sent online via the inquiry page by Thursday 11 February 2016.

Please note that this short inquiry will focus specifically on the PHSO report and HS2's communication, engagement and complaint handling. Submissions should:

  • address the terms of reference above and should not address wider aspects of HS2
  • be original material prepared for the Committee (and so should not include copies or long extracts of previously written material, such as letters)
  • not refer in detail to individual cases except to give examples of points being made about, for example, HS2's communication, engagement and complaint handling
  • not identify individuals (except the submitters themselves)

Submissions that do not meet these criteria may not be accepted by PACAC. Please read the guidance on giving evidence to a Select Committee before submitting. Submissions that are accepted by the Committee are published on its website. If you wish to remain anonymous, please make this clear when you make your submission.

Further information

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