Part 9: Secretary of State’s functions in relation to regulated services Review Section 178: Review
This section provides for a review to be undertaken by the Secretary of State, published and laid before Parliament, between 2 and 5 years after the duties on services in Part 3 are commenced, in order to assess the effectiveness of the regulatory framework. The timing requirement is designed to ensure there is adequate time to allow the regime to be in operation before the review takes place, and that a review will take place in a timely manner.
	The review must consider a number of areas in assessing the effectiveness of the regulatory framework. These areas include how effective the regulatory regime has been at ensuring that regulated services are operating, using systems and processes that minimise the risk of harm to individuals in the United Kingdom, and in providing higher levels of protection for children than for adults.
	The Secretary of State is also required to take into account OFCOM’s reports published under section 158.
	The review must also consider the effectiveness of: OFCOM’s information gathering, information sharing and enforcement powers; and the extent to which OFCOM have had regard to the desirability of encouraging innovation.