The Gas Safe Parliamentary Reception was a special event taking place on 11 September 2025, from 12:00 to 4:00 PM, at the House of Commons, Westminster. It is hosted by Paul Davies MP on behalf of the Gas Safe Register, as part of Gas Safety Week 2025, which runs from 8–14 September.
AMO members were in attendance, including the GMF Chair, Jon Rand and GMF Vice Chair of the AMO, as well the AMO Consultant Martin Brailsford.
The reception celebrated the 15th year of Gas Safety Week — a pan-industry initiative focused on keeping the nation gas safe. It brings together stakeholders from across the sector to raise awareness and promote best practices in gas safety.
The reception featured speeches from key industry figures, including representatives from the Gas Safe Register, the Gas Safe Charity, and the Institution of Gas Engineers and Managers (IGEM). The agenda is designed to highlight the campaign’s core messages and facilitate networking among stakeholders.
Paul Davies MP (Host), The Labour MP for Colne Valley since July 4, 2024. Before entering Parliament, he was an electrician, a teacher, and an Operations Director for a global IT company. He serves as Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Carbon Monoxide (APPCOG), a cross-party group dedicated to tackling carbon monoxide poisoning and improving government policy on CO safety. Policy Connect provides the secretariat for APPCOG.
The APPCOG is a cross-party group in the UK Parliament dedicated to tackling the dangers of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. It brings together MPs, Lords, industry experts, charities, and safety organisations to:
- Raise awareness of carbon monoxide risks.
- Promote policy change to improve CO safety.
- Encourage research into detection, prevention, and treatment.
- Support public education campaigns.
As Chair of APPCOG, Paul Davies MP leads the group’s strategic direction, facilitates parliamentary engagement, and represents the group in public forums such as the Gas Safe Parliamentary Reception. His leadership helps ensure that carbon monoxide safety remains a priority in legislative discussions and public health initiatives.
APPCOG’s work typically includes:
- Hosting parliamentary receptions and roundtables.
- Publishing reports and recommendations.
- Collaborating with organisations like the Gas Safe Register, Policy Connect, and CO Awareness charities.
- Advocating for CO alarms, better building regulations, and training for professionals in housing, healthcare, and utilities.
Rob Denman, Gas Safe Register, The Gas Safe Register is the official gas registration body for the United Kingdom. The Gas Safe Register is the official list of gas engineers who are legally allowed to work on gas appliances in the UK, Isle of Man, and Guernsey. It replaced the previous registration body, CORGI, in 2009. By law, any individual or business carrying out gas work must be on the Gas Safe Register.
The main goal of the register is to protect the public from unsafe gas work. It does this by ensuring that all registered engineers are properly qualified and competent to carry out work safely.
Gas Safety Week is an annual public awareness campaign coordinated by the Gas Safe Register. It is a dedicated week (typically in September) that brings together organisations from across the industry to highlight the dangers of unsafe gas work and faulty appliances.
The campaign aims to educate the public on the risks of gas leaks, fires, explosions, and carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. It provides simple, actionable advice to help people stay safe. The campaign focuses on promoting key safety behaviours, such as:
- Always use a Gas Safe registered engineer for any gas work.
- Get your gas appliances serviced annually.
- Check for warning signs of a faulty appliance (e.g., lazy yellow flames, black sooty marks).
- Install and test a carbon monoxide alarm in your home.
- Know the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Many different organisations, including energy companies, charities (like the Gas Safe Charity), and local councils, get involved to share the message and support the campaign.
Gordon Lishman, Chair of the Gas Safe Charity: The Gas Safe Charity is a UK-based charity dedicated to preventing deaths, injuries, and illnesses caused by dangerous gas work and faulty gas appliances. Their mission is to ensure that everyone knows how to be “gas safe.”
The charity focuses on a number of key initiatives, including:
- Providing practical support: They offer a Hardship Fund in partnership with Foundations Independent Living Trust to provide grants for the repair, servicing, or replacement of dangerous gas appliances for vulnerable people, such as the elderly, disabled, and those with low incomes.
- Raising awareness: They work to educate the public on the risks of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, gas leaks, fires, and explosions. This includes:
- The “Think CO” Programme: This initiative provides free training and resources to frontline workers and volunteers who work in people’s homes, helping them to identify the signs and symptoms of CO poisoning and to advise their clients on how to stay safe.
- Educational programs for schools: They create and provide free educational resources for teachers to help them teach children about gas safety.
- Partnerships and campaigns: They collaborate with other organisations, such as the Royal Voluntary Service and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), to distribute gas safety information and CO alarms.
The Gas Safe Charity works to make a tangible impact on gas safety by providing both information and direct assistance to those who need it most.
Simon Main, ThinkCO: The “Think CO” Programme is a key initiative by the Gas Safe Charity designed to raise awareness about the dangers of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.
The program’s primary focus is on providing free training and resources to “frontline” staff and volunteers who work in the homes of vulnerable people. This includes a wide range of professionals, such as social workers, fire and rescue teams, and health visitors. The goal is to empower these individuals to identify the signs and symptoms of CO poisoning and to provide advice on how to stay safe.
The Think CO Programme includes:
- Training workshops: These workshops, often delivered online, provide a basic understanding of CO, its sources, and the signs of poisoning.
- E-learning courses: Free, accessible online courses allow individuals to learn at their own pace and earn a certificate upon completion.
- Resources and materials: The program provides a range of free publications, leaflets, and other resources that can be used by professionals to educate their clients.
- A dedicated app: A new mobile app has been launched to provide real-time, on-the-go access to essential CO safety advice for frontline workers.
The Gas Safe Charity developed the program with the understanding that many people, particularly those in vulnerable circumstances, may not be aware of the risks of CO. By equipping trusted professionals with the knowledge and tools to “Think CO,” the charity can help prevent serious harm and save lives.
Oliver Lancaster, Chief Executive Officer, Institution of Gas Engineers and Managers :The Institution of Gas Engineers and Managers (IGEM) is a professional body for the gas industry, primarily operating in the UK but with an international reach. It was established in 1863 and holds a Royal Charter, which signifies its role in maintaining and improving professional standards.
Here’s a breakdown of its key functions and roles:
- Setting Technical Standards: IGEM is widely known for its comprehensive suite of technical standards and guidance documents. These documents, such as the IGEM/G/11 Unsafe Situations Procedure, are crucial for ensuring safety, quality, and integrity in the design, construction, maintenance, and operation of gas systems. These standards are recognised across the UK and beyond.
- Professional Development and Competence: A core aim of IGEM is to help individuals and organisations involved with gas to achieve and maintain the highest standards of professional competence. It does this through:
- Membership: IGEM offers various membership grades to gas professionals, including Chartered Engineer (CEng), Incorporated Engineer (IEng), and Engineering Technician (EngTech).These professional registrations demonstrate an individual’s level of competence as defined by the UK Engineering Council.
- Continuing Professional Development (CPD): IGEM requires its members to undertake and record their CPD activities to ensure they stay up-to-date with industry changes and remain professionally competent throughout their careers.
- Training and Events: They provide a range of high-quality events, courses, and webinars to support professional development and facilitate knowledge sharing.
- Advocacy and Influence: IGEM acts as an independent and influential voice for the gas industry. It works with regulators, government bodies, and other industry stakeholders to provide advice and shape policy, with a focus on improving safety and addressing future challenges, such as the transition to low-carbon gases like hydrogen.
- Knowledge Sharing and Networking: IGEM brings together professionals from across the gas sector to share knowledge, expertise, and best practices. It publishes a journal, “Gas International (Gi),” and hosts events like the annual Gas Industry Awards to recognise and celebrate achievements in the field.
In essence, IGEM’s purpose is to be the authoritative voice and professional home for gas engineers and managers, ensuring the industry operates safely and effectively while adapting to future energy needs.