HSE budget cut by a third

The HSE's budget is to be cut by 35% by 2014/2015.

The news was not announced as part of the Comprehensive Spending Review but was released on request to the Daily Mirror by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

A spokeswoman for the DWP said: "In the current economic climate, it is appropriate that HSE should be asked to reduce its costs in the same way as the rest of the public sector.

"In seeking to achieve savings of at least 35% over the SR10 period, we will share more of the cost with those businesses who create risks, while reducing burdens on low-risk businesses.

"We will consider the recommendations of Lord Young's review and design a streamlined health and safety system that is fit for the 21st century while remaining true to the core principles set out by Lord Robens in 1972."