Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill, whether he has plans to (a) revoke, (b) replace or (c) retain the Confined Spaces Regulations 1997.

The Confined Spaces Regulations 1997 define the risks of working in confined spaces and require dutyholders to assess those risks and put precautions in place for work to be carried out safely.

The Regulations implement provisions of Council Directive 92/57/EEC - Temporary or Mobile Construction Sites and are subject to the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill 2022 (REUL Bill) currently passing through Parliament.

With the introduction of the REUL Bill, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) remains focused on ensuring that regulatory frameworks maintain the United Kingdom’s high standards of health and safety protection and continue to reduce burdens for business. HSE’s approach aligns closely with the Government’s pledge to do more for business to help promote growth by removing disproportionate burdens and simplifying the regulatory landscape. Our standards of health and safety protections are among the highest in the world. HSE will continue to review its retained EU Law to seek opportunities to reduce business burdens and promote growth without reducing health and safety standards.