BASW England response to the publication of the Manchester Arena Inquiry's report

Our thoughts are with the families and friends of those who lost their lives on the 22nd May 2017, the injured, survivors and all those deeply affected by the Manchester Arena bombing including many brave members of the public.

In a press conference marking the publication of the report, Chair of the Manchester Arena Inquiry Sir John Saunders referred to “inadequacies in the emergency response” which had prevented the survival of one of the victims.

The report highlights significant failures in terms of the emergency response and sets out regional and national recommendations arising from the inquiry which BASW England supports fully.

You can read the full reports here: https://manchesterarenainquiry.org.uk/

Social workers play a unique role in emergency planning, emergency and disaster response and recovery. We hope that Government and relevant authorities will consider this when considering the implementation of the report’s recommendations.

BASW England also supports comments from Greater Manchester Mayor, Andy Burnham, who has called for a statutory duty of candour on all public servants at every level to tackle the “wrong behaviours that lead to poor cultures”.