Asked by: Christina Rees (Labour (Co-op) - Neath)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what plans she has for the future of the courts and tribunals estate in England and Wales; and if she will make a statement.
Answered by Oliver Heald
HM Courts & Tribunals Service keeps its operational estate under review to make sure that it aligns with the delivery of reformed court and tribunal services. Any new proposals to close courts will be subject to public consultation.
We are building a justice system which is simpler, swifter and more efficient. Our estate is a major asset, and in an increasingly digital world, we are looking at how we use our buildings to deliver the best possible service to our users now and in the future.
Asked by: Christina Rees (Labour (Co-op) - Neath)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment she has made of the implications of her policies of research published by (a) Thompson Solicitors in August 2016 and (b) Which? magazine in September 2016 on alleged discrimination in car insurance premium costs on the grounds of race; how her response to her Department's consultation on Reforming the Soft Tissue Injury (whiplash) Claims Process, published in November 2016, will take account of that evidence; and if she will make a statement.
Answered by Oliver Heald
The impact assessment published at the same time as the consultation document, on 17 November, sets out the evidence used to assess the impacts on people with protected characteristics. The consultation document sought further information on the potential impact of the proposed reforms, including impacts on those with protected characteristics. The Government is currently analysing the information submitted during the consultation period and will publish a revised impact assessment in due course.
Asked by: Christina Rees (Labour (Co-op) - Neath)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the evidential basis was for the potential effect of the proposals in her Department's consultation on Reforming the Soft Tissue Injury (whiplash) Claims Process, published in November 2016, on people with protected characteristics.
Answered by Oliver Heald
The impact assessment published at the same time as the consultation document, on 17 November, sets out the evidence used to assess the impacts on people with protected characteristics. The consultation document sought further information on the potential impact of the proposed reforms, including impacts on those with protected characteristics. The Government is currently analysing the information submitted during the consultation period and will publish a revised impact assessment in due course.
Asked by: Christina Rees (Labour (Co-op) - Neath)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if she will make an assessment of the implications for the effectiveness of her Department's impact assessment which accompanied the consultation on Reforming the Soft Tissue Injury (whiplash) Claims Process, published in November 2016, of its lacking relevant data on seven protected characteristics.
Answered by Oliver Heald
The impact assessment published at the same time as the consultation document, on 17 November, sets out the evidence used to assess the impacts on people with protected characteristics. The consultation document sought further information on the potential impact of the proposed reforms, including impacts on those with protected characteristics. The Government is currently analysing the information submitted during the consultation period and will publish a revised impact assessment in due course.
Asked by: Christina Rees (Labour (Co-op) - Neath)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if she will assess the potential merits of banning claims management companies.
Answered by Oliver Heald
The government recently consulted on measures to reform the whiplash claims process, and sought feedback on whether any specific measures should be put in place in relation to claims management companies (CMCs) operating in the personal injury sector. This important consultation closed on 6 January 2017. The Government has undertaken to publish its response to the consultation by 7 April.
The government commissioned a fundamental review of the regulation of CMCs which reported in 2016. Carol Brady considered the regulation and role of CMCs and concluded that a tougher regulatory regime should be established. The government has committed to strengthening regulation further by transferring responsibility to the Financial Conduct Authority with powers to require all CMCs to be re-authorised and to hold managers of CMCs directly accountable for the actions of their businesses.
Asked by: Christina Rees (Labour (Co-op) - Neath)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of banning claims management companies.
Answered by Oliver Heald
The government recently consulted on measures to reform the whiplash claims process, and sought feedback on whether any specific measures should be put in place in relation to claims management companies (CMCs) operating in the personal injury sector. This important consultation closed on 6 January 2017. The Government has undertaken to publish its response to the consultation by 7 April.
The government commissioned a fundamental review of the regulation of CMCs which reported in 2016. Carol Brady considered the regulation and role of CMCs and concluded that a tougher regulatory regime should be established. The government has committed to strengthening regulation further by transferring responsibility to the Financial Conduct Authority with powers to require all CMCs to be re-authorised and to hold managers of CMCs directly accountable for the actions of their businesses.
Asked by: Christina Rees (Labour (Co-op) - Neath)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what representations she has received on the matter of banning claims management companies.
Answered by Oliver Heald
The government recently consulted on measures to reform the whiplash claims process, and sought feedback on whether any specific measures should be put in place in relation to claims management companies (CMCs) operating in the personal injury sector. This important consultation closed on 6 January 2017. The Government has undertaken to publish its response to the consultation by 7 April.
The government commissioned a fundamental review of the regulation of CMCs which reported in 2016. Carol Brady considered the regulation and role of CMCs and concluded that a tougher regulatory regime should be established. The government has committed to strengthening regulation further by transferring responsibility to the Financial Conduct Authority with powers to require all CMCs to be re-authorised and to hold managers of CMCs directly accountable for the actions of their businesses.
Asked by: Christina Rees (Labour (Co-op) - Neath)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, when the Government plans to publish its legislative proposals stemming from its consultation, Reforming the Soft Tissue Injury (Whiplash) Claims Process, of November 2016.
Answered by Oliver Heald
The Government plans to publish its legislative proposals shortly.
Asked by: Christina Rees (Labour (Co-op) - Neath)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if she will make an assessment of the effect of not ring-fencing funding for Police and Crime Commissioner spending on restorative justice on the availability of such justice for victims of crime; and if she will make a statement.
Answered by Phillip Lee
The government funds Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) to deliver a range of services for victims of crime, including restorative justice services. We did, from 2013/14 to 2015/16, set out an indicative budget for restorative justice services for victims, however, this money was never ring-fenced. It was always available to PCCs to spend on wider victims’ services in line with the principle that PCCs are well placed to determine what services are required in their local areas.
We are working with PCCs to introduce consistent outcome measures across all victim services, including restorative justice. This will allow us to take a more detailed and systematic approach to identifying and sharing good practice and driving up performance.
Asked by: Christina Rees (Labour (Co-op) - Neath)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what information her Department has received to date from its pilot on restorative justice approaches in prisons; and if she will make a statement.
Answered by Phillip Lee
A pilot to test restorative approaches to resolving conflict between prisoners, and between prisoners and staff, started at two sites (HMP Featherstone and HMP Buckley Hall) in June 2016. The evaluation of this pilot will conclude in autumn 2017. The pilot is being delivered by Restorative Solutions, a community interest company, with funding from the Monument Trust. We receive regular updates on progress, but there are no plans for a formal interim evaluation report.