Sylvia Heal

Labour Party | Halesowen and Rowley Regis

Justice for victims of negligence

 

Sylvia Heal, MP for Halesowen and Rowley Regis, has welcomed the introduction of the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act.

The new law, which comes into effect on 6th April, will make it easier to prosecute companies and other large organisations when gross failures in the management of health and safety lead to death.

The new offence aims to rectify a key defect in the present law which meant organisations could only be convicted of manslaughter if a single individual at the very top of the company was personally liable. This failed to reflect the reality of decision-making in large organisations.

 Sylvia Heal MP said: “I am pleased this act is coming into force, this new law sends out a powerful message to companies and organisations who don't take health and safety of workers seriously that they will be made to face up to their responsibilities. It will serve as a powerful deterrent and in so doing will save lives. This is particularly relevant at the moment because April 28th is the International Workers Memorial Day and Trade Unions and other organisations will be marking this occasion”.