First elected: 5th May 2005
Left House: 30th March 2015 (Defeated)
Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.
These initiatives were driven by Martin Horwood, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.
MPs who are act as Ministers or Shadow Ministers are generally restricted from performing Commons initiatives other than Urgent Questions.
Martin Horwood has not been granted any Urgent Questions
A Bill to make provision for the safety, convenience and free movement on pavements of disabled people, older people, people accompanying young children, and other pavement users; to clarify, strengthen and simplify the law relating to parking on pavements in England and Wales; and for connected purposes.
The Bill failed to complete its passage through Parliament before the end of the session. This means the Bill will make no further progress. A Bill to require the Secretary of State to introduce a statutory code of practice to require certain pub owning companies to provide their tied lessees with a guest beer option and the option to become free of tie accompanied by an open market rent review; and for connected purposes
A Bill to promote energy efficiency; to require local authorities to publish sustainable energy plans; to make provision for a transfer of functions to principal councils; and for connected purposes.
Martin Horwood has not co-sponsored any Bills in the current parliamentary sitting
Companies House is a Trading Fund and must recover the costs for the services it provides where there are clear identifiable costs. However, Companies House already provides a lot of company data for free, including company appointments. It is actively working to increase the amount of data available for free and company beneficial ownership information will form part of this ongoing strategy.
Companies House currently undertakes a range of checks across the breadth of documents delivered to them. In 2012-13 over 400,000 documents were rejected because they did not pass these checks.
We are carefully considering whether any further reform is necessary, whilst ensuring the UK's company registration regime remains quick, simple and inexpensive. We do not however envisage that this would include cross-checking data against other sources of information.
As outlined in the Government's response to the Transparency and Trust discussion paper we are continuing to develop how details of the beneficial interest are to be recorded on the company's register and at Companies House. We intend that this information will allow users of the register to build a meaningful picture of the company's ownership and control structure.
The Financial Reporting Council's Stewardship Code does not direct itself to matters particular to charities such as their responsibilities under charity law and their focus on beneficiaries. ‘Good Governance – a Code for the Voluntary and Community Sector' developed by a coalition of charity and voluntary sector bodies is a code designed for charities and the voluntary sector. This Code has the support of the Charity Commission which encourages its adoption through publications and signposting on its website.
The Financial Reporting Council's Stewardship Code does not direct itself to matters particular to charities such as their responsibilities under charity law and their focus on beneficiaries. ‘Good Governance – a Code for the Voluntary and Community Sector' developed by a coalition of charity and voluntary sector bodies is a code designed for charities and the voluntary sector. This Code has the support of the Charity Commission which encourages its adoption through publications and signposting on its website.
Tables detailing the number of pupils eligible for the pupil premium in the financial year 2014-2015 at school and local authority level are available online at:
www.gov.uk/government/publications/pupil-premium-2014-to-2015-illustrative-allocation-tables/
The tables show that 18.2% of secondary school pupils in Gloucestershire are eligible for the deprivation pupil premium in 2014-2015.
The current round of reporting under the Adaptation Reporting Power is already underway and its scope was subject to a full public consultation. The Pensions Regulator was not invited to report.
We will review and consult on the third round of reporting, taking account of our latest assessment of climate risk, during which the involvement of a range of new reporters will be considered.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave to his previous question on 10 March 2015, PQ UIN 226483.
The Government continues to promote and support the Timber Procurement Policy (TPP). This includes the provision of practical advice to public sector procurers and suppliers through the Central Point of Expertise on Timber (CPET), which provides guidance and information through a helpdesk and regular, targeted workshops. Central Government Departments report annually on the application of the policy in construction contracts for the purposes of the Greening Government Commitments. CPET is reviewing the certification schemes that support the TPP to ensure they are sufficiently robust, and will report in the summer.
I am writing to Departments reminding them of the importance of the TPP, pointing them to the example of best practice of the Environment Agency as summarised in WWF’s recent report on Government implementation of the TPP, and asking for details of how they are ensuring implementation, for example by including the TPP in contracts and in key performance indicators. The Government Buying Standards (GBS) for Construction and for Timber Products require the TPP to be met. These GBS are now included in the CCS Facilities Management Framework contract, with work ongoing to ensure all future Government contracts include these criteria.
The Government stands by its commitment, set out in the 2013 Forestry and Woodlands Policy Statement and on subsequent occasions, that the public forest estate will remain in public hands. However, while this commitment is intended to secure the future of the public forest estate as a whole, in line with the recommendations of the Independent Panel on Forestry, it was never intended to preclude all land transactions on the estate.
The Government is aware of the decision of the Forest of Dean District Council planning committee on the matter and the continuing work in hand. A final decision on the proposed land exchange involving land on the public forest estate and land owned by the Council will be taken later in the year in the light of all the information then available.
UN humanitarian helicopters are operated by the United Nations Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS), which transports humanitarian organisations and donor representatives in the DRC and completes airlift operations. Unless specially authorised by the UN Humanitarian Coordinator or the World Food Programme Country Director, military personnel may not be carried on UNHAS flights. No arms and ammunition are allowed on board UNHAS flights. On 23 July 2014 the Humanitarian Coordinator in the DRC authorised the transport of some MONUSCO staff in UNHAS planes to small bases in the west of the DRC, in areas where no other transport options are available. MONUSCO staff can only be transported in civilian clothing, and no military equipment will be transported by UNHAS.
Local authorities have the necessary powers to permit pavement parking or to restrict it with enforceable measures. It is for those authorities to assess pavement parking in their respective areas. My Department’s guidance to local authorities makes clear that, during the appraisal of their parking policies, an authority should consider whether pavement parking is problematic in any part of its area. If it is, and is not covered by an existing Traffic Regulation Order, the authority should consider amending the existing Order or making a new one.
There were 151 directors of public health (DPH) posts in 2010. At 11 September 2014, there were 131 permanent Director of Public Health posts, including shared arrangements.
As at 11 September 2014, 125 of 131 post holders (including interim post holders) were members of the Faculty of Public Health. The Department does not hold information on how many DPH in England were qualified members of the Faculty of Public Health in relation to 2010.
The Department does not collect information on the line management of DPH, although a survey undertaken in November 2013 by the Association of Directors of Public Health showed that 78% of respondents were reporting either to the chief executive of the local authority or to what it termed as a ‘super director’, including other heads of paid service.
Of the 131 DPH (including interim post holders) at 11 September 2014, 64 were licenced medical practitioners registered with the General Medical Council. The Department does not hold information how many directors of public health in England were qualified in medicine to Bachelor/Medicine level in relation to 2010.
In 2010, 127 of 151 DPH posts were filled by permanent appointments.
As at 11 September 2014, 107 of 131 posts were filled with permanent appointments. All vacancies were covered by interim appointments.
There were 151 directors of public health (DPH) posts in 2010. At 11 September 2014, there were 131 permanent Director of Public Health posts, including shared arrangements.
As at 11 September 2014, 125 of 131 post holders (including interim post holders) were members of the Faculty of Public Health. The Department does not hold information on how many DPH in England were qualified members of the Faculty of Public Health in relation to 2010.
The Department does not collect information on the line management of DPH, although a survey undertaken in November 2013 by the Association of Directors of Public Health showed that 78% of respondents were reporting either to the chief executive of the local authority or to what it termed as a ‘super director’, including other heads of paid service.
Of the 131 DPH (including interim post holders) at 11 September 2014, 64 were licenced medical practitioners registered with the General Medical Council. The Department does not hold information how many directors of public health in England were qualified in medicine to Bachelor/Medicine level in relation to 2010.
In 2010, 127 of 151 DPH posts were filled by permanent appointments.
As at 11 September 2014, 107 of 131 posts were filled with permanent appointments. All vacancies were covered by interim appointments.
There were 151 directors of public health (DPH) posts in 2010. At 11 September 2014, there were 131 permanent Director of Public Health posts, including shared arrangements.
As at 11 September 2014, 125 of 131 post holders (including interim post holders) were members of the Faculty of Public Health. The Department does not hold information on how many DPH in England were qualified members of the Faculty of Public Health in relation to 2010.
The Department does not collect information on the line management of DPH, although a survey undertaken in November 2013 by the Association of Directors of Public Health showed that 78% of respondents were reporting either to the chief executive of the local authority or to what it termed as a ‘super director’, including other heads of paid service.
Of the 131 DPH (including interim post holders) at 11 September 2014, 64 were licenced medical practitioners registered with the General Medical Council. The Department does not hold information how many directors of public health in England were qualified in medicine to Bachelor/Medicine level in relation to 2010.
In 2010, 127 of 151 DPH posts were filled by permanent appointments.
As at 11 September 2014, 107 of 131 posts were filled with permanent appointments. All vacancies were covered by interim appointments.
There were 151 directors of public health (DPH) posts in 2010. At 11 September 2014, there were 131 permanent Director of Public Health posts, including shared arrangements.
As at 11 September 2014, 125 of 131 post holders (including interim post holders) were members of the Faculty of Public Health. The Department does not hold information on how many DPH in England were qualified members of the Faculty of Public Health in relation to 2010.
The Department does not collect information on the line management of DPH, although a survey undertaken in November 2013 by the Association of Directors of Public Health showed that 78% of respondents were reporting either to the chief executive of the local authority or to what it termed as a ‘super director’, including other heads of paid service.
Of the 131 DPH (including interim post holders) at 11 September 2014, 64 were licenced medical practitioners registered with the General Medical Council. The Department does not hold information how many directors of public health in England were qualified in medicine to Bachelor/Medicine level in relation to 2010.
In 2010, 127 of 151 DPH posts were filled by permanent appointments.
As at 11 September 2014, 107 of 131 posts were filled with permanent appointments. All vacancies were covered by interim appointments.
There were 151 directors of public health (DPH) posts in 2010. At 11 September 2014, there were 131 permanent Director of Public Health posts, including shared arrangements.
As at 11 September 2014, 125 of 131 post holders (including interim post holders) were members of the Faculty of Public Health. The Department does not hold information on how many DPH in England were qualified members of the Faculty of Public Health in relation to 2010.
The Department does not collect information on the line management of DPH, although a survey undertaken in November 2013 by the Association of Directors of Public Health showed that 78% of respondents were reporting either to the chief executive of the local authority or to what it termed as a ‘super director’, including other heads of paid service.
Of the 131 DPH (including interim post holders) at 11 September 2014, 64 were licenced medical practitioners registered with the General Medical Council. The Department does not hold information how many directors of public health in England were qualified in medicine to Bachelor/Medicine level in relation to 2010.
In 2010, 127 of 151 DPH posts were filled by permanent appointments.
As at 11 September 2014, 107 of 131 posts were filled with permanent appointments. All vacancies were covered by interim appointments.
Our Ambassador in Bogota raised the case of Irrael Aguilar Solano on 3 February 2015 during a meeting with the Presidential High Adviser for Human Rights, Guillermo Rivera. Mr Rivera informed the Ambassador that they will engage with the Colombian Authorities to ensure that full protection measures are afforded.
More than 1300 Human Rights Defenders have received protection measures from the Colombian Government, 300 of them at the highest level. The Presidential High Adviser for Human Rights also informed our Ambassador that as a result of the improvement in protection measures, deaths of Human Rights Defenders are decreasing.
I discussed concerns around illegal bird trapping with the Foreign Minister of Cyprus when we met on 12 March.
The UK has a National Contact Point (NCP) on the OECD guidelines, provided by the Department for Business Innovation and Skills with support from the Department for International Development. It raises awareness of the guidelines by undertaking promotional activities, and handling enquiries. Its guidance is available at: www.gov.uk/uk-national-contact-point-for-the-organisation-for-economic-co-operation-and-development-oecd-guidelines-for-multinational-enterprises. The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) also provides an extensive and detailed set of information for companies on the policy and implementation of OECD guidelines.
We encourage all UK-registered multinationals fully to respect the OECD Guidelines. They are voluntary principles and standards of corporate behaviour for multinational businesses, and Her Majesty’s Government does not keep a formal record of UK companies’ compliance with them other than the assessments and statements on complaints of the UK National Contact Point (NCP) published at https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/uk-national-contact-point-statements
I raised the issue of settlements with the Israeli Justice Minister on 6 October during my visit to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories from 6-8 October. The UK robustly and repeatedly raises its concerns over settlement building with the Israeli authorities, at all levels. Since the announcement of the expropriation of 988 acres of land on 31 August, the UK has made a number of representations to the Israeli authorities, making our views on the move clear, including to the Israeli Cabinet Secretary, the National Security Advisor, and the Political Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The UK also raised its serious concern about the Givat Hamatos announcement with Israel’s Cabinet Secretary on 2 October.
Officials from our Embassy in Tel Aviv discussed Israel’s cooperation with the UN Commission of Inquiry and meeting international standards of accountability as a whole with the Director of International Law at the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 30 September. Officials have also lobbied Israeli Cabinet Ministers, the National Security Council and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Members of the Knesset and Knesset officials, for Israel to address the international community’s concerns over the deaths of over 2000 Gazans.
We are pressing Israel to demonstrate accountability for its actions during the recent Gaza conflict. The Israel Defence Forces have launched a number of internal processes to investigate specific cases of engagement, and the Israeli State Comptroller has launched an investigation into the Government’s conduct. We will watch these closely. But there will also be international procedures which must examine the actions of both Hamas and Israel. Both sides should cooperate with the Commission of Inquiry set up by the UN Human Rights Council, which must itself be independent and balanced in its approach.
Since the financial crisis the government's long term economic plan has provided the foundations for the current recovery, which is now well established. The government has continued to take the difficult decisions needed to secure a stronger recovery for all and build a fairer society.
The latest official labour market figures show that employment in the UK is at its highest ever level, 30.76 million, an increase of 1.7 million since the Coalition entered office. Over the same period the level of redundancies has fallen by 45 per cent.
The Government has not made an assessment of the effect of income inequality on national wellbeing. However, income inequality remains lower than when this Government came into office.
The Office for National Statistics estimates that individuals in households with higher incomes report higher life satisfaction and happiness, and lower anxiety. Wellbeing increases fastest in relation to increases income for those on the lowest level of income, and receiving a greater proportion of income from cash benefits is associated with lower wellbeing. The Government’s economic plan is focused on creating jobs and making work pay, while reducing reliance on benefits.
Information about the main elements of the reform has been in the public domain for some time. This includes: the Reform Design Framework which was published
on the Home Office website on 3 September 2012; an online calculator which allows officers to determine what benefits they might receive under the new
arrangements, published on 3 September 2012; and further detailed questions and answers which were published on 19 November 2013.
The Police Pensions Regulations 2015 were laid after extensive consultation with partners including police officers’ representatives. Members’ guidance was published on Friday 6 March, available at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-police-pensions-scheme-2015-members-guide.
This provides police officers with all the information they need to seek the necessary independent financial advice on the scheme.
Information about the main elements of the reform has been in the public domain for some time. This includes: the Reform Design Framework which was published
on the Home Office website on 3 September 2012; an online calculator which allows officers to determine what benefits they might receive under the new
arrangements, published on 3 September 2012; and further detailed questions and answers which were published on 19 November 2013.
The Police Pensions Regulations 2015 were laid after extensive consultation with partners including police officers’ representatives. Members’ guidance was published on Friday 6 March, available at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-police-pensions-scheme-2015-members-guide.
This provides police officers with all the information they need to seek the necessary independent financial advice on the scheme.
The Home Office does not provide any direct funding to Research Councils for the purposes of non-animal tests or research, or tests or research involving animals as it performs predominately a regulatory function. Significant Government funding is deployed to encourage the development and uptake of non-animal tests, largely through the Department for Business, Innovation and Science.
The Home Office does however provide £250,000 per year to the National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs) to fund its activities, which include developing and promoting alternatives to the use of animals in research. Some research into non-animal methods requires the use of animals for validation and other purposes. It is therefore not possible to state definitively how much of this contribution has been used for the purpose of conducting non-animal tests or research, to fund tests or research involving animals, or for the purpose of promoting the uptake of alternatives.
The Home Office does not provide any direct funding to Research Councils for the purposes of non-animal tests or research, or tests or research involving animals as it performs predominately a regulatory function. Significant Government funding is deployed to encourage the development and uptake of non-animal tests, largely through the Department for Business, Innovation and Science.
The Home Office does however provide £250,000 per year to the National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs) to fund its activities, which include developing and promoting alternatives to the use of animals in research. Some research into non-animal methods requires the use of animals for validation and other purposes. It is therefore not possible to state definitively how much of this contribution has been used for the purpose of conducting non-animal tests or research, to fund tests or research involving animals, or for the purpose of promoting the uptake of alternatives.
No acacia trees have been removed from the range at CapePyla in the Dhekelia Sovereign Base Area (SBA) in 2015. The SBA Administration is currently evaluating options to remove acacia this year, which needs to take account of what funds can be provided for this purpose and the impact on military training. The SBA Administration will announce shortly that, subject to consultation, CapePyla will be designated as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) site. If the SAC designation is confirmed, the site will require management of the invasive species of acacia. Therefore, the decision to remove some of the acacia trees in 2014 and further proposed efforts to do so in 2015 is entirely consistent with the proposed designation of the site.
My right hon. Friend, the Minister of State for the Armed Forces (Mark Francois) spoke to the Chief Executive of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds on 6 March 2015 and informed him that approximately 7.02 hectares of acacia trees were removed from within the firing zone of the range at Cape Pyla in the Dhekelia Sovereign Base Area between November and December 2014. The work to remove the trees and associated illegal irrigation cost approximately €130,000.
Acacia trees occupy approximately 59.42 hectares of the 550 hectare range at CapePyla in the Dhekelia Sovereign Base Area. The Ministry of Defence is unable to estimate what areas have been planted in the last 10 years.
The information requested is provided in the following table.
September | October | |||||||
Number of Anti Mist netting | Number of seized | Number of seized | Number of | Number of Anti Mist netting | Number of seized | Number of seized | Number of | |
2010-11 | 30 (6) | 112 | 37 | 15 | 61 (7) | 173 | 115 | 16 |
2011-12 | 52 (5) | 159 | 193 | 10 | 32 (5) | 161 | 97 | 10 |
2012-13 | 45 (4) | 125 | 288 | 12 | 57 (5) | 131 | 26 | 9 |
2013-14 | 32 (5) | 116 | 468 | 18 | 29 (6) | 99 | 48 | 3 |
2014-15 | 48 (4) | 91 | 114 | 11 | 43 (8) | 81 | 142 | 18 |
[1] Large scale clearance operations, possibly involving resources outside of the normal Sovereign Base Area (SBA) Police assets
[2] Large scale clearance operations, possibly involving resources outside of the normal SBA Police assets
The Dhekelia Sovereign Base Police Anti-Poaching team consists of five full-time officers who work approximately 20 days each per month on countering bird trapping operations. In September and October 2014 there were a total of 32 days of staff absences, comprising annual leave and public holidays. In addition to the 168 days of man hours provided by the Anti-Poaching team in these months, they were assisted by other Sovereign Base Area Police officers who are regularly tasked with duties directly associated with countering bird trapping.
The Sovereign Base Areas Administration (SBAA) is not able to accurately asses the number of songbirds killed illegally in the autumn migration periods.
Birdlife Cyprus undertakes assessments of bird trapping across the whole of Cyprus. The SBAA does not have confidence with unverified assessments over bird losses which are based on arbitrary data collected from a very short period.
My right hon. Friend the Minister of State for the Armed Forces (Mark Francois) met with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) Chief Executive on 6 March 2015 and informed him that the SBAA and Birdlife have agreed to work together on data collection methods to be used in analysis of the 2015 autumn season.
He also explained to him that during the autumn 2014 migration season, approximately ten percent of acacia trees in the range at CapePyla in the Eastern Sovereign Base Area were cut down. This equates to approximately 17 acres of land.
The RSPB is aware that the Sovereign Base Areas Administration is now reviewing options to remove more acacia in 2015 at Cape Pyla, and the area is proposed as one of the sites for designation as a Special Area of Conservation this year. This is subject to consultation and, if designation is endorsed, this site and others will require a long term management plan to reduce acacia further.
I have been asked to reply.
Defra has been determining the appropriate level of funding for the new burden incurred by Lead Local Flood Authorities in providing technical advice on surface water drainage in planning applications for major developments. We will be sending letters to these local authorities shortly.
Planning applications which include proposals for sustainable drainage systems are subject to normal planning application fees. Guidance on fees for planning applications is published within the on-line planning guidance.
The National Planning Policy Framework is clear that the purpose of the planning system is to contribute to the achievement of sustainable development, which includes the health, social and cultural well-being of local communities. It:
- sets out that good design is indivisible from good planning and should contribute to making places better for people;
- asks planners to work to create safe and secure layouts which minimise conflicts between traffic and cyclists or pedestrians, and give priority to pedestrian and cycle movements;
- enables local communities, through the preparation of local and neighbourhood plans, to identify for special protection green or open areas of particular importance to them as Local Green Space; and
- seeks to conserve and enhance the natural environment and reduce pollution.
My Department has this year published planning guidance which:
Furthermore, through the Housing Standards Review, the Government has developed a nationally described space standard to offer a consistent set of requirements with regard to the size of new homes. Local authorities will not be required to adopt a space standard, but where they choose to do so, it should be the nationally described space standard.
I also refer the hon. Member to the Government’s cycling delivery plan, published on 16 October, which can be found online at: www.gov.uk/government/consultations/cycling-delivery-plan-informal-consultation
It is for councils and local communities to use their local and neighbourhood plans and existing planning powers to shape where development can go and create well-designed, safe and attractive places.
It is for local authorities in conjunction with their communities to assess development needs and plan to meet them in a way which is consistent with national policy. Our planning reforms have strengthened the role of Local Plans and abolished the previous administration's undemocratic Regional Strategies which imposed housing targets and Green Belt reviews. This returns power to local authorities and communities to determine whether it is appropriate to develop on Green Belt land, taking into account the strong protections in the National Planning Policy Framework.
This Government attaches great importance to Green Belt as a way to prevent sprawl and encroachment on open countryside, and as a vital 'green lung' for many communities. The National Planning Policy Framework makes clear that openness and permanence are essential characteristics of Green Belt. And that Green Belt boundaries can only be revised in exceptional circumstances through the Local Plan process. Planning guidance published on 6 March re-affirmed Green Belt protection.
The Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements are a mechanism through which criminal justice agencies can better discharge their statutory responsibilities and protect the public in a co-ordinated manner. MAPPA is designed to protect the public, including previous victims of crime, from serious harm by sexual and violent offenders. MAPPA is not an agency or body in its own right but rather requires local agencies dealing with offenders to work together in partnership in order to manage risk. MAPPA does not commission or operate interventions or programmes and none is unique to offenders managed under MAPPA.
Approved Premises (formerly known as probation or bail hostels) are used to provide enhanced supervision for higher-risk offenders who have been released from prison after completing the custodial part of their sentence. They also house a small number of defendants on bail. Requiring higher-risk offenders to reside in an Approved Premises enables us to monitor and supervise them as effectively as possible. Whilst in an Approved Premises, they are subject to a curfew and other controls, whilst Approved Premises staff working closely with local police officers to respond quickly to any signs of escalating risk. It would be much more difficult to monitor them if they were dispersed into less suitable accommodation throughout the community.
Whether an offender is admitted to an Approved Premises depends on specific monitoring and risk management need. Not all offenders under MAPPA are admitted and not all offenders in Approved Premises are managed under MAPPA. The table below shows the number of offenders managed under MAPPA who were admitted to an Approved Premises in each month between September 2012 and August 2014 (the most recent for which we have full data). Data about offenders who were referred to APs but not admitted is not collected in a way that would allow us to distinguish those under MAPPA management.
No data is collected about the numbers of offenders who are required to undertake particular programmes or other interventions as part of the terms of their release licences. All offenders, whether or not managed under MAPPA, will undertake some interventions intended to address their offending behaviour and reduce re-offending. The choice of intervention will be tailored to the individual offender’s needs.
Admissions to Approved Premises September 2012 – August 2014
Month | MAPPA offenders admitted to Approved Premises |
Sep 2012 | 776 |
Oct 2012 | 883 |
Nov 2012 | 950 |
Dec 2012 | 741 |
Jan 2013 | 799 |
Feb 2013 | 747 |
Mar 2103 | 828 |
Apr 2013 | 857 |
May 2013 | 931 |
Jun 2013 | 847 |
Jul 2013 | 963 |
Aug 2013 | 901 |
Sep 2013 | 911 |
Oct 2013 | 837 |
Nov 2013 | 842 |
Dec 2013 | 798 |
Jan 2014 | 853 |
Feb 2014 | 801 |
Mar 2014 | 782 |
Apr 2014 | 839 |
May 2014 | 831 |
Jun 2014 | 803 |
Jul 2014 | 852 |
Aug 2014 | 842 |
The National Probation Service (NPS) and Community Rehabilitation Companies (CRCs) were resourced to deliver their core duties at the point of commencing the new structures on 1 June 2014, for a period of shadow running prior to the transition in the public sector.
CRCs are responsible for managing their own vacancies, and we are providing support and advice where required during the transition.
We are implementing a new reporting tool for the National Probation Service from November 2014 which will enable us to capture NPS vacancies centrally to support our workforce planning.
Prior to June 2014 probation services were delivered by 35 Probation Trusts. The Trusts were responsible for managing their own vacancies and no central records were maintained of staffing levels against requirements.
At the end of June we received bids in the competition for the contracts to run the 21 Community Rehabilitation Companies. We have a strong competition in all regions with over 80 bids having been received and an average of four bidders for each area. Over half of the bidders include a voluntary, mutual or social enterprise organisation and mutuals continue to feature strongly, with eight potential staff mutuals competing for a share of the contracts. As well as the Tier 1 provider bids, almost 1000 organisations have registered to play a part in the wider supply chain, including more than 700 listed as VCSE (voluntary, community or social enterprise) organisations.
In addition to this, charities experienced in tackling a range of issues affecting offenders, small and large businesses and experienced multinationals have partnered together to bid for the work that will help turn offenders’ lives around. All Tier 1 bidders have experience of working with offenders or across the wider Criminal Justice System.
The process to award Community Rehabilitation Company contracts is ongoing and the details of which bidders remain in the competition are commercially sensitive information, which it would not be right to make public at this stage. We are committed to rolling out these important reforms by 2015.
There are a number of court orders which may result in the electronic tagging of individuals. Whilst the law allows the electronic monitoring of compliance with these orders, at present it is primarily imposed to monitor compliance with curfew requirements.
Sentencing in individual cases is a matter for the courts, taking into account the circumstances of each case and imposing a sentence which is proportionate to the seriousness of the offence.
At the end of June we received bids in the competition for the contracts to run the 21 Community Rehabilitation Companies. We have a strong competition in all regions with over 80 bids having been received and an average of four bidders for each area. Over half of the bidders include a voluntary, mutual or social enterprise organisation and mutuals continue to feature strongly, with eight potential staff mutuals competing for a share of the contracts. As well as the Tier 1 provider bids, almost 1000 organisations have registered to play a part in the wider supply chain, including more than 700 listed as VCSE (voluntary, community or social enterprise) organisations.
In addition to this, charities experienced in tackling a range of issues affecting offenders, small and large businesses and experienced multinationals have partnered together to bid for the work that will help turn offenders’ lives around. All Tier 1 bidders have experience of working with offenders or across the wider Criminal Justice System.
The process to award Community Rehabilitation Company contracts is ongoing and the details of which bidders remain in the competition are commercially sensitive information, which it would not be right to make public at this stage. We are committed to rolling out these important reforms by 2015.