Enforcement lottery

A report from public services union UNISON has found that postcodes determine the level of health and safety enforcement undertaken by local councils. Hugh Robertson, UNISON's head of health and safety, said: "The report shows appalling levels of inconsistency, with the best authorities inspecting every single one of their premises at least once a year, to the worst with no inspections."

The analysis was undertaken by the Centre for Corporate Accountability safety campaign. Copies are available from www.unison.org.uk/acrobat/13681.pdf or tel: 020 7551 1709.