More than half of public bodies in England are not taking the Human Rights Act 1998 into account in their service delivery, according to a report by the Audit Commission, writes Sally Gillen. 

It said the act may stall because of the lack of progress by public bodies, which are key to putting service users at the heart of policy and decision making.

Of the 175 organisations surveyed, which included councils and health bodies, 58 per cent had not adopted a strategy for human rights.

Audit Commission chairperson James Strachan said: “The costs of litigation can be substantial as can the damage done to an organisation’s reputation. A proactive approach by public bodies to implementing the act’s provisions is crucial.”

The report said that training for frontline staff is vital for service delivery in areas such as social care, health and asylum.