Investigatory Powers Commissioner (IPC) Functions
The IPA 2016 contains oversight arrangements that have strengthened the safeguards that apply to the use of investigatory powers. The IPA 2016 created the IPC and their office. The IPC independently oversees the use of investigatory powers, ensuring that they are used in accordance with the law and in the public interest. The Commissioner is supported in their duties by 17 other JCs and the IPCO, who oversee the use of covert investigatory powers by more than 600 public authorities including the intelligence agencies, law enforcement, and local authorities.
	The reforms to the IPA 2016 in this Act provide additional safeguards in areas not currently covered by the IPA 2016. As highlighted in the Home Secretary’s review, the IPA 2016 does not provide an easy mechanism to manage change, causing issues with resilience and flexibility in respect of the IPC and wider IPA 2016 oversight regime. These measures also aim to formalise the IPC’s oversight functions and provide greater legislative clarity in respect of the oversight regime.
	All of the measures regarding the IPC’s oversight functions, where these fell within Lord Anderson’s terms of reference, were supported by the conclusions of the Review. IPCO has also supported all the measures taken forward.