HSE Cost Recovery Rate Increase (from April 2026) & Fee for Intervention (FFI) Scheme

6 May 2026 Please note the publication date on each article, as legislation and guidance can change over time and older content may no longer reflect the latest requirements.

HSE Cost Recovery Rate Increase (from 1 April 2026)

The HSE is increasing its hourly charge-out rates across several regulatory regimes as part of its ongoing cost recovery model.

Fee for Intervention (FFI): £188 per hour (previously £183)

Other regulatory rates also increasing, for example:

  • COMAH sites: £218/hour
  • Offshore regulation: £332/hour
  • Gas safety management: £178/hour
  • Pipeline systems: £178/hour
  • Onshore oil and gas: £210/hour

These charges apply where the HSE carries out regulatory activity that falls within cost recovery frameworks.

What is the Fee for Intervention (FFI) Scheme?

The Fee for Intervention (FFI) scheme is the HSE’s primary mechanism for recovering costs when non-compliance is identified during an inspection. FFI applies when an HSE inspector identifies a “material breach” of health and safety law, meaning a serious failure to manage risk.

Where this occurs:

  • The duty holder is charged for the HSE’s time spent addressing the breach
  • This includes inspection, investigation, reporting, correspondence, and follow-up activity
  • Charges are applied at the hourly FFI rate (£188 from April 2026)

If no material breach is identified, no charge is made.

What can trigger FFI?

FFI charges may apply where inspectors identify significant failings such as:

  • Inadequate risk assessments or method statements
  • Unsafe working at height or poor control of fragile surfaces
  • Failures in asbestos or hazardous substance management
  • Lack of effective health and safety management systems
  • Poor site controls or failure to implement legal requirements

Once a material breach is identified, charging continues until the issue is resolved.

Key Implications:

  • There is no cap on FFI charges, costs increase with time spent by HSE
  • Charges are separate from any fines or enforcement action
  • Even short inspections can become costly if non-compliance is identified
  • Fully compliant organisations will not incur FFI charges

The new rates do not apply retrospectively to interventions that span the 1 April 2026 implementation date. Businesses and duty holders in sectors subject to FFI or other cost recovery regimes should review their exposure to regulatory intervention costs considering the revised rates.