Watchdog points to failure over Act

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 released this week.

Of the 175 organisations surveyed, including 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 is crucial.”