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Britain's perceived 'compensation culture' came under scrutiny on Friday when Lord Young of Graffham released his report following a Whitehall review of health and safety rules.
'Common sense, common safety' looked at claims that 'compensation culture', driven by litigation, has resulted in an over–zealous approach to health and safety.
This fear of the 'compensation culture' Lord Young suggested, not only "blights the workplace" but every walk of life from “schools and fetes, to voluntary work and everyday sports and cultural activities".
Lord Young said that "businesses now operate their health and safety policies in a climate of fear" which is down to the risk of becoming a victim of a "no win, no fee" law suit.
The aim of the review is to "free businesses from unnecessary bureaucratic burdens and the fear of having to pay out unjustified damages claims and legal fees".
Speaking about the report, prime minister David Cameron said: "Good health and safety is vitally important. But all too often good, straightforward legislation designed to protect people from major hazards has been extended inappropriately to cover every walk of life, no matter how low risk.
"A damaging compensation culture has arisen, as people can absolve themselves from any personal responsibility for their own actions, with the spectre of lawyers only too willing to pounce with a claim for damages on the slightest pretext."
Linda Lee, president of the Law Society, rejected the idea of a compensation culture, saying: "In a just society anyone harmed by the negligence of others should be entitled to compensation. English law allows just that – no more and no less.
"If wrongdoers do not offer redress, individuals have a right to seek redress through an impartial and independent legal system. Solicitors have a crucial role in the civil justice system."
The British Retail Consortium's director of business and regulation, Tom Ironside, welcomed any move that will free retailers from the time and expense of pointless red tape.
"We look forward to working with the Heath and Safety Executive to see how health and safety procedures can be simplified for members with shops in several different regions. We will continue to support moves to simplify risk assessment procedures for shop owners and managers," he said.
Paul Bettison of the Local Government Association welcomed the report, calling a reduction in bureaucracy, particularly in low-risk situations, "good news" for councils.
John McClean, GMB national health and safety officer, noted overall disappointment in the recommendations put forward in the report.
"None of the recommendations in this report will have the slightest impact on the thousands of work-related deaths and injuries in the UK," he said.
Responding to the section of the report which talks about "reducing the level of bureaucracy around school trips", Christine Blower, general secretary of the National Union of Teachers, said: "It will be Lord Young's proposals, not the current health and safety rules, which will discourage school trips.
"It is just not true to say risk assessments prevent trips taking place. To say that teachers shouldn't consider risks before taking children and young people out on trips just seems absurd."
Lord Young, the prime minister's adviser on health and safety law, will stay on in his position following the release of the report to work with government departments and relevant bodies.
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