Labour Introduces Historic Hillsborough Law

Today marks an historic moment for justice and transparency in our country.

This Labour Government has introduced the Public Office (Accountability) Bill, also known as the Hillsborough Law. This landmark legislation will ensure that public authorities are held to the highest standards of honesty and accountability – and that no family is ever left to fight the State alone in the aftermath of tragedy.

The scars of Hillsborough, Grenfell, Windrush, and other devastating failures run deep. In each case, families faced years of struggle for the truth, often battling institutions that should have been there to protect them. The Hillsborough Law is our promise that this will never happen again.

What the Hillsborough Law Will Do

The Hillsborough Law introduces a series of major reforms to prevent future injustices and strengthen trust between the public and the State:

⚖️ A new Duty of Candour

Public bodies and officials will be required to act with honesty, openness and integrity during investigations, inquiries, and inquests. Officials will be legally bound to proactively share information rather than withhold or conceal it, and serious breaches of this duty will carry criminal sanctions – including potential prison sentences. This duty will apply not just to public authorities but also to private organisations carrying out public functions or with key health and safety responsibilities.

For full details, see the Duty of Candour Fact Sheet.

🧾 The largest expansion of legal aid in a decade

Bereaved families will receive free, non-means-tested legal support at inquests, so they are never left to face the State alone. This will level the playing field and ensure that families can seek justice without financial barriers.

🛡️ A new offence for misleading the public

For the first time, it will be a criminal offence for public authorities or officials to deliberately or recklessly mislead the public. This will prevent the false narratives and cover-ups that have caused so much pain in the past, ensuring truth and transparency are always at the heart of public service.

The Bill also abolishes the outdated common law offence of “misconduct in public office” and replaces it with two clearer statutory offences, ensuring public officials are held to account for the most serious breaches of trust.

The first offence, Seriously Improper Acts, applies where a public official uses – or fails to use – their position to gain benefit or cause harm, including reputational damage to others.

The second, Breach of Duty to Prevent Death or Serious Injury, covers cases where public office holders recklessly or intentionally fail to protect life and safety, creating a serious risk of harm.

To guarantee fairness, prosecutions will require the consent of the Director of Public Prosecutions. Penalties will be severe – up to 10 years in prison for seriously improper acts and up to 14 years for breaches that endanger lives.

For more information, see the Misconduct in Public Office Fact Sheet.

Why This Matters

For decades, the families of the 97 people who lost their lives at Hillsborough fought for truth and justice. Their tireless campaigning exposed deep failings in how public authorities responded to tragedy – and inspired countless others who have faced similar battles.

This law is for the 97, and for every family who has been let down by a system that should have been there to protect them. It represents a fundamental shift: moving from a culture of secrecy and self-protection to one of truth, accountability, and public service.

Looking Ahead

The Hillsborough Law has now been introduced in Parliament by this Labour Government and will progress through the full legislative process before becoming law.

This legislation would not exist without the extraordinary courage and determination of the families and campaigners who fought for decades to bring the truth to light. Their strength and perseverance have made it possible for this Labour Government to deliver on its promise to introduce the Hillsborough Law.

• You can follow its progress on the official UK Parliament Bill page.

• Further background information is available via the Government’s explainer.

Never Again

The Hillsborough Law is a landmark step towards a fairer, more transparent country. It ensures that when tragedy strikes, families will be supported, public bodies will be honest, and no one will ever again be forced to fight for the truth alone.

The message is clear: never again.