We need ‘own initiative’ powers to solve systemic problems - Lorna Slater
Everyone wants better public services. Whether it is our NHS, councils or other public bodies, people expect services that work well, respond quickly and learn from mistakes.
Too often we only react once problems have become crises, after people have been let down and confidence has already been damaged.
We need to shift our focus from simply responding to complaints, to preventing failures in the first place.
That is why I believe Scotland’s regulators should be given what’s known as ‘own initiative’ powers, bringing Scotland into line with England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
These powers would allow them to investigate emerging systemic problems without having to wait for a formal complaint to trigger action.
We have seen too many examples where warning signs were there but the system lacked the tools to intervene early enough. Small problems can quickly grow into widespread failures affecting thousands of people. By the time enough complaints have gathered, the damage has often already been done.
Giving the Ombudsman the ability to launch investigations where there is clear evidence of a wider issue would help identify patterns, expose systemic failures and recommend improvements before more people suffer unnecessary harm.
It is a practical step that would strengthen accountability while helping public bodies improve how they deliver services.
The proposal is not new. It has been championed by the outgoing Ombudsman, Rosemary Agnew, and was also recommended during the Scottish Parliament’s review of supported bodies. They recognised that a more proactive Ombudsman would help drive lastingimprovements across Scotland’s public services.
Good government is not just about fixing mistakes after they happen. It is about spotting risks early, listening to people and acting before problems escalate.
If we are serious about delivering better public services, we must give our watchdogs the powers they need to prevent failures, not just investigate them after the fact. That is better for taxpayers, better for public bodies and most importantly, better for the people who rely on these essential services every day.