The decision to merge HSC and HSE was reached after extensive consultation with stakeholders and through the process determined by the Legislative and Regulatory Reform Act 2006. The merged body will be called the Health and Safety Executive

Welcoming the merger, Health and Safety Minister Lord McKenzie said:

"The Health and Safety Commission and Health and Safety Executive have done an excellent job over the last 30 years in bringing about significant improvements to health and safety at work.

"However, to face the challenges and demands of the changing world of work, now is the right time to merge the organisations into one which can provide a platform for further improvements to health and safety at work across Great Britain."

Judith Hackitt, chair of the new Health and Safety Executive added, "The new Health and Safety Executive will strengthen the importance of workplace health and safety in Great Britain. With a single regulatory body we will be able to strengthen the links between strategy and delivery in order to provide the accountability expected of a public body in today's workplace climate.