Written Statements

Thursday 12th May 2016 Written Statements

Thursday 12 May 2016

EU Foreign Affairs Council

Thursday 12th May 2016 Written Statements

[The Minister for Small Business, Industry and Enterprise (Anna Soubry)]

My noble Friend the Minister of State for Trade and Investment (Lord Price) has today made the following statement.

The EU Foreign Affairs Council (Trade) will take place in Brussels on 13 May 2016. Lord Price will represent the UK.

In relation to WTO Post Nairobi work, the Council will discuss latest developments regarding DDA and new issues, and the EU-strategy towards MC11 on the basis of a paper by the Commission.

The Council will discuss the state of play in the TTIP negotiations and next steps.

The Council will also discuss the trade-related aspects of the recent communication on steel.

On the EU Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) the Council will reflect on the achieved result and discuss the next steps towards signature.

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ECOFIN

Thursday 12th May 2016 Written Statements

[The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Mr David Gauke)]

An informal meeting of the Economic and Financial Affairs Council was held in Amsterdam on 22-23 April 2016. EU Finance Ministers discussed the following items:

EU budget

Following an introduction from Commission Vice-President Kristalina Georgieva, Ministers discussed challenges for the EU budget, caused by unforeseen events.

Strengthening the banking union

Views were exchanged between Ministers and Central Bank governors on the regulatory treatment of banks’ sovereign debt on the basis of a presidency note and a draft report from the high-level working group.

Panama Papers

The European Commission gave a policy reaction outlining measures being taken to tackle tax avoidance. The UK, along with France, Germany, Italy and Spain, launched an initiative on the automatic exchange of beneficial ownership information in April and wrote a G5 letter to EU member states asking them to join the initiative. As a result of UK leadership all EU Finance Ministers have now agreed to enter into the project which will see tax authorities and law enforcements agencies automatically share information on who really owns and controls companies.

Sustainable finance

On the basis of a presidency paper, Ministers and Central Bank governors discussed ways in which the transition to a sustainable economy could be financed and ways in which transparency could be improved.

Stability and growth pact

Ministers discussed a number of options to make the stability and growth pact simpler and more transparent including whether more work should be done exploring the use of the expenditure benchmark and the medium-term orientation of the fiscal framework.

VAT fraud

In the final session, the Commission and presidency led a discussion in relation to VAT fraud following the publication of the VAT action plan on 7 April. In particular, Finance Ministers looked at steps that could be taken to improve co-operation between member states’ tax, customs and judicial authorities.

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Office of Financial Sanctions Implementations

Thursday 12th May 2016 Written Statements

[The Economic Secretary to the Treasury (Harriett Baldwin)]

At the summer Budget the Chancellor announced that HM Treasury will establish the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) before the end of the financial year to support the UK’s foreign policy and national security goals and help maintain the integrity of and confidence in the UK financial services sector. The OFSI was established on 31 March 2016 within HM Treasury. Its principle aims are to:

increase awareness of and compliance with financial sanctions;

ensure that sanctions breaches are rapidly detected and effectively addressed; and

provide a professional service to the public and industry on financial sanctions issues.

The Treasury, through OFSI, will continue to be the UK’s competent authority for the implementation of financial sanctions, and Treasury ministers will continue to be responsible for licencing decisions and designations under UK sanctions legislation.

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Commonwealth Recruitment

Thursday 12th May 2016 Written Statements

[The Minister for the Armed Forces (Penny Mordaunt)]

There is a long tradition of Commonwealth citizens serving in the British armed forces, and we continue to value their service which provides an important contribution in defending the UK at home and abroad.

The current Commonwealth recruitment rules which require five years’ UK residency have therefore been reviewed, and the residency requirements will be waived to allow for 200 Commonwealth citizens per annum to be recruited to fill a limited number of roles in the regular armed forces which require specialist skills. The numbers of individuals that can be recruited and the list of roles that can be filled under these arrangements have been agreed in consultation with the Home Office. These will be subject to regular review.

The requirement for individuals to have indefinite leave to remain (ILR) to join the reserves has not been changed. However, if an individual with specialist skills already residing in the UK is identified, applications for exceptional circumstances can be cleared on an individual basis with the Home Office.

This will not affect personnel from the Republic of Ireland, Malta, the Republic of Cyprus, or those in the Brigade of Gurkhas. This will also not affect Gurkha or Commonwealth serving personnel with more than four years’ regular service applying to join the reserves provided they are granted ILR on discharge.

This policy will be kept under review.

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Art Collection

Thursday 12th May 2016 Written Statements

[The Secretary of State for Defence (Michael Fallon)]

Ownership of the most significant works within the Ministry of Defence art collection (MODAC) is to be transferred to other public institutions in order to ensure their continued protection and public display.

The MODAC currently comprises more than 2,000 individual items. It includes some fine art and a notable collection of chronometers but also includes numerous lower value items. Key items of public interest are located in public galleries and museums, with the remainder in MOD premises and other Government or public buildings.

Ownership of works with intrinsic artistic or heritage value is to be transferred to other public bodies, including the National Maritime Museum, the National Museum of the Royal Navy, the Army Museum, the Imperial War Museum and the Government Art Collection. Residual items will remain within MOD custody.

MODAC items are accounted for as publicly owned non-operational heritage assets and the collection has therefore not been valued formally, in line with Government policy. Transfer on an unvalued basis has been approved by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury.

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National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights

Thursday 12th May 2016 Written Statements

[The Minister for Europe (Mr David Lidington)]

My right hon. Friend the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Baroness Anelay of St Johns), has made the following written statement:

In September 2013, the UK became the first country to implement the UN guiding principles on business and human rights through the publication of a national action plan “Good Business”, which was presented by the then Foreign and Business Secretaries. At that time, the coalition Government committed to producing an update.

This update reflects developments, including at the international level, since our plan was first published. It also summarises the many activities and initiatives that have been taken forward by UK business and civil society.

The updated NAP reflects the range of action related to business and human rights that takes place across Government. It brings together in one place Government action and private sector initiatives, as well as setting out the access to remedy, both judicial and non-judicial, which exists within the UK. By publishing this update, the UK demonstrates its continued commitment to business and human rights and to the implementation of the universally agreed UN guiding principles, which we consider the best method for promoting good business practice and protecting potential victims from human rights abuses.

This update was produced following consultation with a broad range of stakeholders from business and civil society. While jointly owned by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, this update was contributed to by a number of Government Departments.

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National Crime Agency Remuneration Body

Thursday 12th May 2016 Written Statements

[The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mrs Theresa May)]

The report of the National Crime Agency (NCA) Remuneration Review Body for 2016 has been published today. In line with my letter setting the body’s remit, it has made recommendations on pay and allowances for NCA officers designated with operational powers. I wish to express my thanks to the Chairman and members of the review body for their careful consideration of the evidence.

The review body received evidence from the NCA, the Home Office, Her Majesty’ Treasury and the relevant trade unions and has recommended an across-the-board increase of 1%for NCA officers and a 1% increase in London weighting. I accept their recommendations in full.

The report also sets the agenda for further reform of the NCA’s pay structure and we will continue to support the NCA to develop the workforce needed to tackle serious and organised crime in the 21st century.

Copies of the NCA Remuneration Review Body’s report are available in the Parliamentary Vote Office and at www.gov.uk.

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UK Anti-corruption Plan

Thursday 12th May 2016 Written Statements

[The Minister for Security (Mr John Hayes)]

Today my right hon. Friend the Government Anti-corruption Champion (Sir Eric Pickles) and I wish to inform the House that the Government are publishing a progress update on the UK’s first cross-Government anti-corruption plan, on the same day that the Prime Minister is hosting a global anti-corruption summit in London—to galvanise international action against corruption.

On 18 December 2014, we published the UK anti-corruption plan, which set out, for the first time, all of the UK’s anti-corruption efforts under one cross-departmental plan, including how we are tackling the threat of corruption and taking action to reduce corruption risks across a range of sectors, both in the UK and overseas.

In the UK anti-corruption plan, we committed to publishing a progress update on the actions, ensuring that this was a living document which evolved alongside the nature of the threat from corruption and our response. The inter-ministerial group on anti-corruption, which we co-chair, has been overseeing delivery of the commitments and we have been working with colleagues across Government and civil society to drive forward this agenda.

The progress update highlights the UK’s performance in delivering its anti-corruption commitments—62 out of the 66 actions (94%) are complete or on track to be delivered—and sets out the positive progress that has been made: to build a better picture of how corruption is affecting our society and economy; to strengthen our legal and operational tools and activity; to enhance our law enforcement response; to deny use of our financial system for those who are trying to abuse it; and to step up our efforts internationally.

While there is still more to be done, the positive developments outlined in the progress update, coupled with the international leadership being shown by the UK through the global anti-corruption summit, demonstrates the UK’s commitment to rooting out corruption in all its forms. Moreover, the new cross-agency taskforce to respond to any wrong-doing resulting from the “Mossack Fonseca” papers, sends a strong message that tackling corruption is a key priority for the UK and that we take decisive action wherever criminal activity arises.

A copy of the plan will be placed in the Library of the House and also made available on the Government website at: www.gov.uk.

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Youth Justice

Thursday 12th May 2016 Written Statements

[The Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice (Michael Gove)]

Following the troubling allegations raised by whistleblowers—and documented by the BBC’s “Panorama”—about the treatment of young people in custody at Medway, I appointed an independent improvement board to investigate the centre’s governance and the safeguarding measures in place there.

I am today publishing the board’s report, which tells a powerful story—not just about what went wrong at Medway, but about broader problems in the youth justice system, and specifically in the children’s secure estate. The board’s conclusions reinforce the interim findings from the separate, wider review that I have asked Charlie Taylor to prepare on the youth justice system, which will report this summer.

Given the findings of the independent improvement board, the pending Charlie Taylor review and the announcement by G4S in February 2016 of its intention to sell its children’s services business I have agreed with G4S that the new contract to operate Medway will not proceed.

The National Offender Management Service (NOMS) will take over the running of Medway in the short term—by the end of July—and will work closely with the Youth Justice Board on the enhanced monitoring arrangements that will be put in place. Beverley Bevan—an experienced prison governor with seven years’ experience of working with young offenders—will be appointed as the governor at that time.

The independent improvement board made a series of recommendations which we accept in full and which will be implemented across all three secure training centres (STCs). By implementing these recommendations, we will strengthen external scrutiny, safeguarding and monitoring arrangements and clarify the responsibilities of organisations and individuals involved in providing services at all STCs. Steps will be taken to ensure that whistleblowers—including young people who speak out—are supported and listened to.

However, the fundamental problem identified by the independent improvement board was that those running Medway conceived of it as a place of coercion, where the culture and the incentives—as they were designed in the contracts—were centred around the corralling and control of children, rather than their full rehabilitation. Their focus should instead have been on education and care, on identifying root problems and giving children the opportunity to find their way back into society, and to make something of themselves.

Charlie Taylor’s interim findings have made it clear that the places where young offenders spend time should not be junior prisons, but secure schools. I am announcing today that each of the secure training centres will have a new governing body who will scrutinise and support those running each centre. This will be a first step towards giving these centres the type of oversight and support that we would see in an ordinary school.

When Charlie’s final report is published, I hope we will be able to move swiftly to a model which ensures that the educational mission of these establishments is central to their existence.

Based on the findings of the independent improvement board, I will appoint a similar youth custody improvement board to work across the youth secure estate, to help to make sure that children are safe and to improve standards of behaviour management in each secure training centre and young offender institution that holds children, including those currently run by NOMS. I will confirm the board appointments in due course.

I am grateful to all the members of the independent improvement board who delivered their important work at such impressive speed.

This report, and our response to the recommendations made by the independent improvement board can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/medway-improvement-board-report-and-moj-response-to-its-recommendations.

I will place a copy of these in the Libraries of both Houses.

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Legislation: 2015-16 Session

Thursday 12th May 2016 Written Statements

[The Leader of the House of Commons (Chris Grayling)]

Following the conclusion of business in the House today, I expect Parliament to be prorogued prior to the State Opening of the next session on 18 May. Subject to proceedings, 23 Government Bills will have received Royal Assent in the 2015-2016 session:

Armed Forces Bill

Bank of England and Financial Services Bill

Charities (Protection and Social Investment) Bill

Childcare Bill

Cities and Local Government Devolution Bill

Education and Adoption Bill

Energy Bill

Enterprise Bill

European Union (Approvals) Bill

European Union (Finance) Bill

European Union Referendum Bill

Finance Bill

Housing and Planning Bill

Immigration Bill

National Insurance Contributions (Rate Ceilings) Bill

Northern Ireland (Stormont Agreement and Implementation Plan) Bill

Northern Ireland (Welfare Reform) Bill

Psychoactive Substances Bill

Scotland Bill

Supply and Appropriation (Anticipation and Adjustments) Bill

Supply and Appropriation (Main Estimates) Bill

Trade Union Bill

Welfare Reform and Work Bill

The following Private Members’ Bills will have received Royal Assent in the 2015-16 session:

Access to Medical Treatments (Innovation) Bill

Criminal Cases Review Commission (Information) Bill

Driving Instructors (Registration) Bill

House of Commons (Members’ Fund) (No.2) Bill

NHS (Charitable Trusts Etc) Bill

Riot Compensation Bill

The following Bills will carry over to the next session:

Finance (No.2) Bill

High Speed Rail (London-West Midlands) Bill

Investigatory Powers Bill Policing and Crime Bill.

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National Security Arrangements: Carlile Report

Thursday 12th May 2016 Written Statements

[The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Mrs Theresa Villiers)]

This is a summary of the main findings from the report by Lord Carlile, the Independent Reviewer of National Security arrangements in Northern Ireland, covering the period from 1 January 2015 to 31 January 2016. Lord Carlile concludes:

“Throughout the year I have been briefed extensively on the state of threat in Northern Ireland. The context in which national security activities are performed in Northern Ireland remains challenging. As in the previous year there have been successes against dissident republicans (DRs), with a number of high profile trials pending. Police and security pressure has resulted in significant attrition but attacks still occur. Co-operation with the Irish authorities is good. This has quickened the pace of activity against DRs.

I regard 2015 as a year of continuing success in thwarting and detecting terrorism; while there is no sign of reduced ambition in the minds of terrorists, the ability of these terrorists to carry out attacks has suppressed over the years by successful attrition and arrests. This is undoubtedly the result of excellent joint activity by MI5 and PSNI. Given that the total exclusion of paramilitary activity is unlikely to be achieved in the measurable future, MI5, the PSNI and others involved have maintained good progress.

In preparing this report I have considered the current threat level, and what I have learned of events of a terrorist nature during the year. There were 16 national security attacks during 2015, with no serious injuries. Dissident republican groupings are resilient and capable; a number of attacks in 2015 were unsuccessful by narrow margins. Current and released prisoners continue to present a challenge. I was reminded of the diverse and enduring nature of the threat.

Dissident republicans remain interested in and involved in criminality, organised crime and money laundering. They also retain a political purpose, some with more determination than others.

Loyalist paramilitaries also have political imperatives, though the motivation of many is the making of money through extortion and other organised crime.

During 2015,1 have met a range of stakeholders. I have engaged with PSNI and MI5 and examined the relationship between them and the Police Ombudsman of Northern Ireland (PONI) and the Northern Ireland Policing Board (NIPB), I also met some of the NI political parties. I am grateful to NIO Ministers for their close interest in the matters discussed here. Meetings with Ministers have occurred. Ministers are always well briefed and exceptionally well informed on all material issues.

During 2015 I met with the Northern Ireland Policing Board (NIPB), and also Alyson Kilpatrick, the Independent Human Rights Advisor to the NIPB. The NIPB can feel assured that the Human Rights Advisor is well able to discharge her duties in respect of national security.

I met the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland and the Northern Ireland Executive’s Minister of Justice, David Ford MLA. Both have been extremely frank and helpful. I do not underestimate the formidable nature of the Ombudsman’s job, especially in relation to older cases. Furthermore, I would like to express my admiration and thanks to David Ford. He has played a significant part in the normalisation of the justice system and the rule of law in NI.

I am satisfied that the periodic briefings provided to me have been full and not selective, and that I have a good understanding of relevant matters. Interlocutors across the security piece, including vocal opponents and critics, have been willing to brief me.

I held a detailed meeting with the Committee on the Administration of Justice (CAJ). They provided me with a robustly critical narrative of the current security situation. I found their views helpful, though more anxious than the true security situation justifies in my opinion. The CAJ expressed the view that deprivation caused by austerity is leading to recruitment into paramilitary groups. These views found resonance with some interlocutors.

This year once again I have reviewed the arrangements for Covert Human Intelligence Sources (CHIS). Overall the use of CHIS is effective. CHIS operations are run with a clear investigative strategy. Participation of CHIS in crime is subject to strict control and protocols. There are frequent meetings between PSNI and MI5 at a senior level to discuss CHIS policy and operations, and in accordance with the St. Andrews principles, PSNI manage the majority of national security CHIS. There is a systematic review procedure for CHIS.

Across all my conversations in the past year I have found confusion and concern about how historic issues are to be dealt with and addressed. Much optimism is being placed in the proposed Historical Investigations Unit (HIU). I am sure the Secretary of State and NI Executive Ministers will ensure proportionate funding, and the level of documentary and other evidential disclosure necessary for the fulfilment of its proper objectives.

I have considered a number of issues in relation to terrorism prosecutions. I continue to have concerns about the length of sentences in NI for terrorism related offences, and that delays in cases coming to trial are resulting in defendants being released on bail. I acknowledge the reform of committal proceedings contained in the Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 2015. I discussed more active case management and plea bargaining as means to save court time.

Despite the active and concerned involvement of senior judges throughout the criminal justice system there remain concerns about the disclosure system in which public interest immunity and related disclosure issues are not dealt with by the trial judge, as they are in GB.

I remain of the view that the residual serious and lethal threat of terrorism justifies the continuation of the non-jury trial arrangements provided under the Justice and Security (Northern Ireland) Act 2007.

I have enquired again about the use of intercept evidence. I remain satisfied that there is solid scrutiny and review of interception, in an environment in which communications technology is developing quickly.

Continued vigilance and the maintenance of counter-terrorism resourcing are essential. However, once again I have drawn comfort from the successful joint operations between MI5 and the PSNI, and their high level of co-operation with their counterparts in the Republic of Ireland. Normality is a genuine and mostly realisable ambition, rather than merely an aspiration.

Attrition caused by arrests and charges both in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland has been good in 2015; but a number of challenges in combatting the threat remain.

I have measured performance in 2015 against the five key principles identified in relation to national security in Annex E to the St Andrews agreement of October 2006. My conclusions in relation to Annex E are set out in the attached Table.”

Further to reinforce this comprehensive set of safeguards, the Government confirm that they accept and will ensure that effect is given to the five key principles which the Chief Constable has identified as crucial to the effective operation of the new arrangements, viz:

Motoring Services Strategy

Thursday 12th May 2016 Written Statements

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Andrew Jones)]

My noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon) has made the following written statement:

The Department for Transport’s three motoring services agencies (the Driver and Vehicle Licencing Agency (DVLA); the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) and the Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA)) are key to ensuring the United Kingdom’s road network plays its part in promoting the future prosperity of our nation. I am today publishing a strategy for the agencies, which sets out the direction they will take over the remainder of this Parliament.

The strategy sets out our vision for the agencies’ future: how we can better support those learning to drive to ensure they are properly prepared to take their practical test, what we can do to ensure haulage and bus and coach operators can access all our services efficiently and flexibly to suit their needs, and how we can best support the UK automotive industry.

The agencies’ services, making sure drivers are properly trained and licensed and the vehicles they use are safe and meet environmental standards, touches nearly all aspects of our society. Most people, at some time, will be affected by the agencies’ work—whether they are choosing an instructor as they begin to learn to drive, sitting on a bus, buying a new motorcycle, choosing a wheelchair accessible vehicle or moving house—the motoring services agencies will be involved at some stage. We need to ensure that the services the agencies deliver are fit for motoring today and are responsive to new developments in technology in order for them to continue to meet our needs in the future.

Recognising this country’s enviable road safety record, and the importance of the highway network to the economy, we reiterate the need for driver training that prepares people for a lifetime of safe road use. We will examine the potential benefits of different models for delivery of the practical driving test. We will strengthen the agencies’ relationships with commercial users of their services, whose needs can be very different from those of individual members of the public. We will examine how various transport industry sectors can be given greater responsibility in operating or testing vehicles. The agencies are almost entirely funded by user fees; so we will take a more methodical approach to reviewing those fees, to ensure that they are transparent and closely aligned to the costs of the services they cover.

A copy of the strategy will be placed in the House Library and will also be available on www.gov.uk.

Attachments can be viewed online at: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/motoring-services-strategy-a-strategic-direction-2016-to-2020.

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Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Informal Council

Thursday 12th May 2016 Written Statements

[The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Stephen Crabb)]

The informal Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council met on 19-20 April in Amsterdam. Emily Shirtcliff, deputy director in the BIS labour market directorate, represented the United Kingdom.

The first day involved a plenary session on labour mobility. The focus of most member state interventions was on the revision of the posting of workers directive. The United Kingdom intervened to make clear that it did not yet have a formal position and was looking carefully at the Commission’s proposal.

The second day started with workshops on the European Commission’s consultation on its proposed pillar of social rights and concluded with a plenary session on the platform for undeclared work. At the workshop the United Kingdom welcomed the clarity that the pillar of social rights was for the euro area, but also for other countries to join if they wanted to.

On the platform for undeclared work the United Kingdom welcomed the progress made so far and looked forward to the platform’s first meeting.

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