British Transport Police Authority (Triennial Review)

Monday 14th July 2014 Written Statements

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Stephen Hammond)]

My noble Friend, the Minister for Transport, Baroness Kramer, has made the following ministerial statement:

I am today publishing the part 1 report of the triennial review of the British Transport police authority (BTPA).

The BTPA is the non-departmental public body (NDPB) responsible for ensuring an efficient and effective British Transport police (BTP) force for rail operators, their staff and passengers.

The review has been progressed in two parts. Part 1—the core triennial review—has considered the continuing need for the BTPA’s functions and the case for it to remain a NDPB. It has also looked at the control and governance arrangements in place to ensure that the BTPA is complying with recognised principles of good corporate governance.

Part 2 of the review considers a wider range of issues raised by the industry about the effectiveness of the BTPA in the discharge of its functions and the industry’s ability to influence outcomes.

I am pleased to announce the conclusion of the part 1 review and the publication of the report.

The report concludes that the functions of the BTPA are still necessary, that it remains the right body for delivering them and that the BTPA should remain a NDPB.

The report also concludes that the overall level of compliance with good practice on corporate governance is good, with just a few omissions and weaknesses which should be capable of being quickly addressed. The Department for Transport will be taking these recommended measures forward in discussion with the BTPA over the coming months.

I would like to thank Peter Murphy for carrying out a thorough analysis of the BTPA and its governance arrangements, and the BTPA for their assistance as well as all the other stakeholders who were involved during the course of the review including those who were part of the challenge group which was set up to oversee the review.

The review was conducted in accordance with Cabinet Office guidance (Guidance on reviews of non-departmental public bodies, June 2011).

The report is available on gov.uk and I have made available copies in the Libraries of both Houses.