The Minister of State, Ministry of Justice (Simon Hughes)
Today I am delighted to be laying and publishing the first annual report to the Lord Chancellor, of the Chief Coroner, His Honour Judge Peter Thornton QC, under section 36 of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 (“the 2009 Act”).
The report covers the period from implementation of the 2009 Act’s coroner reforms on 25 July 2013 to 30 June 2014 and it is the first summary of how these reforms are working in practice. The Chief Coroner sets out:
the implementation of the coroner reforms;
his work to increase the consistency of coroner services: in particular his work on training and providing guidance to coroners; merger of coroner areas; coroner appointments; coroners’ changing role in local leadership and management; the investigation and inquest processes; timeliness of investigations and prevention of future death reports; and
his use of his statutory powers and duties under the 2009 Act.
I am very grateful to Judge Thornton not only for his report, but also for his sterling work preparing for the implementation of the reforms a year ago. It is encouraging to see the considerable progress that he has made in this first year in improving coroner services and the experience of those who come into contact with them across England and Wales.
I would also like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to coroners for their commitment to change and the way in which they have adapted to the requirements of the new system. I must also thank the individuals and bereavement support organisations who help the Government and the Chief Coroner to understand the concerns of families and others affected by coroner investigations.
The Chief Coroner and I will continue to work together to build on the progress that has already been made to improve standards and consistency wherever it is needed.
Copies of the report will be available in the Vote Office and in the Printed Paper Office. The document will also be available online, at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/chief-coroners-annual-report-2013-to-2014.