I am delighted to learn that the Prime Minister has appointed the former Trade and Industry Secretary, Lord Young of Graffham, to conduct a Whitehall-wide review of "the operation of health and safety laws and the growth of the compensation culture."

Announcing his appointment, David Cameron said:

“I’m very pleased that Lord Young has agreed to lead this important review. The rise of the compensation culture over the last ten years is a real concern, as is the way health and safety rules are sometimes applied. We need a sensible new approach that makes clear these laws are intended to protect people, not overwhelm businesses with red tape. I look forward to receiving Lord Young’s recommendations on how we can best achieve that.”

This is long overdue and will be welcomed by many sensible people across the country - and especially by many in and around Eltham who have told me in recent years of their increasing irritation at this scourge of modern life.  But before the usual suspects howl with outrage, let me be clear about this: it is perfectly right and proper that rules and regulations exist to protect employees and customers, children, the elderly, indeed every single one of us.  But there is a balance to be struck and in recent times the balance has been lost. Children are prevented from doing many things that we did as kids because of obsessive fear of prosecution or civil action.  Volunteers decline to lend a hand because they are either scared of the consequences of a minor error or have to subject themselves to endless hoops before they are trusted to do the smallest act for a good cause.  And all the while, an army of lawyers make vast sums from a growth in compensation culture and flogging advice on satisfying these endless laws and regulations.

If Lord Young can bring about a bit of sanity, maintaining people's safety whilst allowing us to do more with less fear, full power to his elbow.  I welcome him to his new role, working for a government that is showing all the signs of getting stuck into the challenges that matter to every one of us.