The intention of this Bill is to amend the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 to provide for increased penalties for offences under that Act and under the Employers’ Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969.

The main provision of the Bill is to increase the maximum fine that a Magistrates Court can impose for health and safety offences to £20,000.

The 2004 Bill is identical to a Bill of the same name which failed to become law in 2003, which itself was a second attempt (indeed it looks as though the 2003 version has been copied verbatim without careful attention to detail as cl 6 of the version introduced by Mr Love in February 2004 provides for its short title to be the "Health and Safety at Work (Offences) Act 2003", which is presumably a mistake).