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More delays for workplace death law

Plans to make it easier to prosecute companies following fatal accidents have suffered a further setback, with the Home Office now admitting draft legislation might not be published until shortly before next spring's expected general election. The draft corporate manslaughter bill had been due to be published on 21 December. The Financial Times reports that the latest delay means it is almost certain Tony Blair will break his manifesto promise to enact a law on corporate manslaughter before the election. The delay also breaks a commitment in last month's Queen's Speech to publish a draft bill before Christmas - itself a step back from the prime minister's promise to issue the draft bill before this session of Parliament (Risks 184). The setback stems from cabinet disagreements over how the law should be framed rather than David Blunkett's departure as home secretary, say insiders. Tony Woodley, general secretary of TGWU, said his union expected to see the draft bill early in the new year. 'It should be top of the new home secretary's in-tray,' he said. 'Unions will be pushing for tough legislation this parliament and won't tolerate further delays to a long overdue bill.'

• CCA news update . Updates on corporate safety crimes from the Centre for Corporate Accountability . TUC/Hazards deadly business campaign .

Briefing document (300 words) issued 23 Dec 2004