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 Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.
Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town has not introduced any legislation before Parliament
Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town has not co-sponsored any Bills in the current parliamentary sitting
Age discrimination in the provision of services is generally unlawful under the Equality Act 2010. There are, however, situations where a service provider can show that differential treatment between, for example, adults aged under and over 75 is a proportionate means of achieving a legitimate aim, which the 2010 Act permits.
Whilst the Government does not comment on particular cases, it is for individuals to consider whether they wish to take action where they feel they are being unlawfully treated on age grounds. Where a company cannot show that their leasing age policy is a proportionate means of achieving a legitimate aim, the individual affected can bring a claim to the County Court, or Sheriff’s Court in Scotland. The court may determine whether the “objective justification test” has been satisfied, and may award costs and compensation if the claimant wins their case.
The government does not always make an assessment of the costs arising from a non-government Lords amendment. If it is relevant to the question of whether a money resolution will be needed in the House of Commons, the government may provide an assessment to the Clerk of Legislation in the House of Commons to assist him in the advice he gives to the Speaker. Communications between the government and the Clerk are not published, but if the government has made an assessment, it may be published in the explanatory notes to the Lords Amendments.
In October 2019 the Attorney General’s Office was contacted by representatives of an individual who claimed to be a descendent of the anonymous donor that established the National Fund. They also claimed that the trust was void ab initio and that unless the court finds that the donor had a “paramount charitable intent”, the Fund belongs to his residuary estate.
The individual subsequently applied to join the proceedings initiated by the Attorney General in May 2018, in order to represent the interests of all persons who are or may be or become entitled to share in the residuary estate of the donor. In January 2020 the Court ordered that this individual be joined to the proceedings and that they serve evidence in support of their claim.
The Attorney General remains of the view that the trust establishing the National Fund is valid and its purposes exclusively charitable.
It is now for the High Court to determine the individual’s claims and decide whether the terms of the charitable trust should be varied as sought by the Attorney General. If the Attorney General’s application is successful the money in the fund will be paid over to the National Debt Commissioners towards the reduction of the national debt.
The hearing in the High Court is scheduled for October 2020.
The National Fund was created in 1928 with the purpose of paying off the entire national debt. At present the fund cannot be used unless it completely clears the national debt, due to the terms of the fund’s charitable trust.
On 22 May 2018 the then Attorney General made an application to the High Court to vary the terms of the charitable trust so that the National Fund can be used to help pay down the national debt.
It is now for the High Court to decide whether the terms of the charitable trust should be varied. If the application is successful the money in the fund will be paid over to the National Debt Commissioners towards the reduction of the national debt.
The hearing in the High Court is scheduled for October 2020.
The website of the Charity Commission indicates that the accounts of the National Fund for 05 April 2019 are overdue.
In 2017-2018 there were 2768 estates referred to the Bona Vacantia Division of the Government Legal Department of estates where people died without leaving known entitled relatives or a valid will of which 909 were referred by local authorities. There were 2 referrals of estates where the deceased died leaving a valid will which did not dispose of the entire of estate but without leaving known entitled relatives entitled to share in the undisposed residue, neither of which were referred by local authorities.
In 2018-2019 there were 1971 estates referred to the Bona Vacantia Division of the Government Legal Department of which 575 were referred by local authorities. There were 3 referrals of estates where the deceased died leaving a valid will which did not dispose of the entire of estate but without leaving known entitled relatives entitled to share in the undisposed residue, none of which were referred by local authorities.
In 2017-2018 there were 2770 estates referred to the Bona Vacantia Division of the Government Legal Department of which 33% were referred by local authorities, 4% were referred by hospital trusts, 63% by other organisations and individuals. There was one referral by a Coroner’s Office.
In 2018-2019 there were 1974 estates referred to the Bona Vacantia Division of the Government Legal Department of which 29% were referred by local authorities, 3% were referred by hospital trusts, 68% by other organisations and individuals. There were no referrals by Coroners.
There were 233,000 overseas electors registered in Great Britain for the 2019 general election. The Government does not hold data on the number of overseas electors who submitted a postal vote application or how many voted.
The Office for National Statistics also publishes electoral statistic bulletins with some information on overseas electors. This can be found here: https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/elections/electoralregistration/bulletins/electoralstatisticsforuk/previousReleases.
The Trade and Cooperation Agreement provides for a Civil Society Forum - composed of a balanced representation of UK and EU business and civil society groups - to discuss the implementation of aspects of the Agreement.
We are in contact with the EU about the operational guidelines for the conduct of this Forum and will work to facilitate its first meeting this year.
We will, of course, continue to engage with business and civil society in the usual way, including on issues relating to TCA implementation.
As for the Parliamentary Partnership Assembly, it is a matter for Parliament to consider the potential shape of the Parliamentary Partnership Assembly, within the framework set out in the Trade and Cooperation Agreement.
The Trade and Cooperation Agreement provides for a Civil Society Forum - composed of a balanced representation of UK and EU business and civil society groups - to discuss the implementation of aspects of the Agreement.
We are in contact with the EU about the operational guidelines for the conduct of this Forum and will work to facilitate its first meeting this year.
We will, of course, continue to engage with business and civil society in the usual way, including on issues relating to TCA implementation.
As for the Parliamentary Partnership Assembly, it is a matter for Parliament to consider the potential shape of the Parliamentary Partnership Assembly, within the framework set out in the Trade and Cooperation Agreement.
The Government is carefully considering how it provides for the necessary institutions provided for in the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement. The Government consults with a wide range of businesses and civil society groups on an ongoing basis, including on the issues covered by the Trade and Cooperation Agreement.
We will publish Lord Dunlop’s review shortly. A full response will be published in due course.
We are pleased by the progress the UK Government and the devolved administrations have made in developing the package of Intergovernmental Relations reforms. Announcements will be made in the usual way.
Public appointments must adhere to high standards and are regulated by an independent, external process via a Governance Code. The Commissioner for Public Appointments has not found breaches of this Code in respect of the concerns he raises in the letter.
Structured recruitment and training plans are ongoing to ensure that officials will be in place to deliver the planned customs and borders arrangements with the EU, once we leave the customs union on 31 December 2020.
The European Commission does not have operational responsibility for customs and borders and so a meaningful comparison between UK and European Commission officials cannot be made.
As the Minister for the Constitution and Devolution set out in a letter to the Executive Secretary of the Group of States Against Corruption (GRECO) Secretariat, the Government will commence post-legislative scrutiny of Part 1 of the Transparency of Lobbying, Non-party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Act 2014 Act (the Act) this year.
The letter is available here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/903767/Letter_of_24_July_from_Chloe_Smith_to_Gianluca_Esposito.pdf
As the Minister for the Constitution and Devolution set out in a letter to the Executive Secretary of the Group of States Against Corruption (GRECO) Secretariat, the Government will commence post-legislative scrutiny of Part 1 of the Transparency of Lobbying, Non-party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Act 2014 Act (the Act) this year.
The letter is available here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/903767/Letter_of_24_July_from_Chloe_Smith_to_Gianluca_Esposito.pdf
As the Minister for the Constitution and Devolution set out in a letter to the Executive Secretary of the Group of States Against Corruption (GRECO) Secretariat, the Government will commence post-legislative scrutiny of Part 1 of the Transparency of Lobbying, Non-party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Act 2014 Act (the Act) this year.
The letter is available here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/903767/Letter_of_24_July_from_Chloe_Smith_to_Gianluca_Esposito.pdf
The information requested is not held centrally. Details of central government contracts above £10,000 are published on Contracts Finder: https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Search
The Government has rigorous controls in place to challenge spend robustly and ensure that the actions of central government contracting authorities are open, fair and transparent.
Cabinet Office commercial spend controls aim to improve the value public spending delivers by leveraging expertise from Cabinet Office’s central functional teams in commercial contracting to scrutinise all contract awards with a value greater than £10m. These contract awards are subject to approval by the Chief Operating Officer for the Civil Service and Minister of State, Lord Agnew.
The information requested is not held centrally. Details of central government contracts above £10,000 are published on Contracts Finder: https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Search
The Government has rigorous controls in place to challenge spend robustly and ensure that the actions of central government contracting authorities are open, fair and transparent.
Cabinet Office commercial spend controls aim to improve the value public spending delivers by leveraging expertise from Cabinet Office’s central functional teams in commercial contracting to scrutinise all contract awards with a value greater than £10m. These contract awards are subject to approval by the Chief Operating Officer for the Civil Service and Minister of State, Lord Agnew.
I refer the noble Baroness to the answer given to HL2091 on 2 March 2020.
An Order in Council made under an Act of Parliament is a form of secondary legislation. The enabling Act will specify whether or not an Order in Council is subject to a Parliamentary procedure, and if so what that parliamentary procedure is.
There are over 400 Acts of Parliament which provide Order in Council making powers to Her Majesty in Council. Orders in Council made under Act of Parliament without a parliamentary procedure cover a range of subject matter, including the commencement of primary legislation, the UK armed forces and devolution issues, as well as fishing limits, the carriage of goods by sea, and the implementation of international agreements such as those on child abduction, reciprocal enforcement of court judgements, and the Geneva Conventions.
Some other prerogative business made on the advice of the Privy Council by Order in Council is not subject to parliamentary procedure and relates almost exclusively to the affairs of Chartered bodies.
The UK Government is working constructively with the devolved administrations to keep the whole of the UK safe.
There have been frequent discussions between UK Government ministers and officials and their counterparts in devolved administrations. This includes through COBR and the Cabinet Committee structure established to deal with the health, economic, public sector and international impacts of the Covid-19 outbreak on behalf of the whole of the UK. We will continue positive engagement with the Devolved Administrations.
We have confronted this virus as one United Kingdom and have worked closely with the devolved administrations throughout with regular meetings and discussions with ministers and officials.
For example, during the week prior to the change in messaging, the Prime Minister had a call with First and deputy First Ministers of the Devolved Administrations, and the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster had a further call with them. This was on top of the ongoing work at official level on how we would tackle the virus together.
The UK Government has been working closely with the devolved administrations throughout negotiations with the EU. Engagement with the devolved administrations continues; the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, other Cabinet Office Ministers and officials have been in regular contact with their counterparts from the devolved administrations to update them on the negotiations.
The UK Government has worked with the Welsh Government to deliver on a wide range of legislative matters, and will continue to seek legislative consent, as appropriate.
The UK Government has noted the request of the Labour-run administration in Wales to extend the transition period but there is no change to the position that the Transition Period will end this year.
Our proposals on the Northern Ireland Protocol will strengthen Northern Ireland’s place in the United Kingdom and its internal market. In taking our proposals forward we will continue to engage with businesses and ports, to ensure that right across the UK we can take advantage of the opportunities there will be as the UK grows its trade with countries around the world.
The Government is strongly supportive of the community radio sector and recognises the great value that it offers to communities across the UK.
In light of COVID-19, the Government has developed a national campaign to provide information, guidance and reassurance to the public.
The campaign utilises a wide range of channels to maximise reach and engagement and to ensure our messaging reaches as many people as possible. This includes the use of paid-for advertising on community radio. We currently work with over 35 community radio stations on a weekly basis.
As has been the case under successive administrations, the Government keeps the Ministerial Code and the managing of public money under review. There are, however, no plans to amend or strengthen the Ministerial Code in the way suggested.
As has been the case under successive administrations, the Government keeps the Ministerial Code and the managing of public money under review. There are, however, no plans to amend or strengthen the Ministerial Code in the way suggested.
We are committed to working closely with the devolved administrations throughout negotiations to secure a future relationship that works in the interests of the whole of the UK. The Cabinet Office is leading work across Whitehall to ensure the devolved administrations are engaged in key stages of the negotiations.
The sixth European Union (Withdrawal) Act and Common Frameworks statutory report was published on 19 March 2020, covering the reporting period of 26 September 2019 to 25 December 2019. The seventh report, detailing work that has taken place between 26 December 2019 to 25 March 2020, will be published in the coming months.
The UK Government remains committed to transparency in the UK common frameworks programme. The Cabinet Office has overall responsibility for the frameworks programme and engages regularly with a wide range of stakeholder organisations, including businesses and consumers, as well as providing updates on the development of UK common frameworks through regular publications.
Departments across Whitehall are responsible for developing individual frameworks and therefore undertake consultation with relevant stakeholders. Officials are currently revisiting the format of stakeholder engagement in light of the COVID-19 outbreak.
The UK and EU exchanged draft legal texts on 18 March 2020. Our overall approach to negotiations is already set out in detail in, “The Future Relationship with the EU: The UK’s Approach to Negotiations”, which was published on 27 February 2020. We will keep under review which documents it is appropriate to publish during the course of negotiations and whether it is useful to make them available more widely.
In line with his responsibilities in the Justice and Security Act 2013, the Prime Minister carefully considered and approved the report, and is content that its publication would not prejudice the functions of those bodies that safeguard our national security.
We acknowledge the public’s interest in the publication of the report, however the report itself is the property of the independent ISC, as such it is not for the Government to publish ISC reports; it is for the ISC to lay them before Parliament. Once a new Committee has been established, it will be up to them to choose when they wish to publish it. The process to establish a new Committee has already begun.
The Department for Exiting the European Union did not directly employ any of its staff, other than the Permanent Secretary.
Everyone who worked for The Department for Exiting the European Union was transferred to the Cabinet Office on January 31st on level transfer under principles set out in the Cabinet Office Statement of Practice on Staff Transfers in the Public Sector (COSoP). Staff remain on their existing terms and conditions. Therefore no one has been offered, accepted, or rejected redundancy as a result of the closure. Fewer than five contractors were terminated early as a result of the winding up of the department.
Details of all staff transfers to other government departments have not yet been finalised.
Arrangements for any severance payment will be made in line with the Ministerial and Other Pensions and Salaries Act 1991.
The Department for Exiting the European Union did not directly employ any of its staff, other than the Permanent Secretary.
Everyone who worked for The Department for Exiting the European Union was transferred to the Cabinet Office on January 31st on level transfer under principles set out in the Cabinet Office Statement of Practice on Staff Transfers in the Public Sector (COSoP). Staff remain on their existing terms and conditions. Therefore no one has been offered, accepted, or rejected redundancy as a result of the closure. Fewer than five contractors were terminated early as a result of the winding up of the department.
Details of all staff transfers to other government departments have not yet been finalised.
Arrangements for any severance payment will be made in line with the Ministerial and Other Pensions and Salaries Act 1991.
The Department for Exiting the European Union did not directly employ any of its staff, other than the Permanent Secretary.
Everyone who worked for The Department for Exiting the European Union was transferred to the Cabinet Office on January 31st on level transfer under principles set out in the Cabinet Office Statement of Practice on Staff Transfers in the Public Sector (COSoP). Staff remain on their existing terms and conditions. Therefore no one has been offered, accepted, or rejected redundancy as a result of the closure. Fewer than five contractors were terminated early as a result of the winding up of the department.
Details of all staff transfers to other government departments have not yet been finalised.
Arrangements for any severance payment will be made in line with the Ministerial and Other Pensions and Salaries Act 1991.
The Department for Exiting the European Union did not directly employ any of its staff, other than the Permanent Secretary.
Everyone who worked for The Department for Exiting the European Union was transferred to the Cabinet Office on January 31st on level transfer under principles set out in the Cabinet Office Statement of Practice on Staff Transfers in the Public Sector (COSoP). Staff remain on their existing terms and conditions. Therefore no one has been offered, accepted, or rejected redundancy as a result of the closure. Fewer than five contractors were terminated early as a result of the winding up of the department.
Details of all staff transfers to other government departments have not yet been finalised.
Arrangements for any severance payment will be made in line with the Ministerial and Other Pensions and Salaries Act 1991.
The Department for Exiting the European Union did not directly employ any of its staff, other than the Permanent Secretary.
Everyone who worked for The Department for Exiting the European Union was transferred to the Cabinet Office on January 31st on level transfer under principles set out in the Cabinet Office Statement of Practice on Staff Transfers in the Public Sector (COSoP). Staff remain on their existing terms and conditions. Therefore no one has been offered, accepted, or rejected redundancy as a result of the closure. Fewer than five contractors were terminated early as a result of the winding up of the department.
Details of all staff transfers to other government departments have not yet been finalised.
Arrangements for any severance payment will be made in line with the Ministerial and Other Pensions and Salaries Act 1991.
The Department for Exiting the European Union did not directly employ any of its staff, other than the Permanent Secretary.
Everyone who worked for The Department for Exiting the European Union was transferred to the Cabinet Office on January 31st on level transfer under principles set out in the Cabinet Office Statement of Practice on Staff Transfers in the Public Sector (COSoP). Staff remain on their existing terms and conditions. Therefore no one has been offered, accepted, or rejected redundancy as a result of the closure. Fewer than five contractors were terminated early as a result of the winding up of the department.
Details of all staff transfers to other government departments have not yet been finalised.
Arrangements for any severance payment will be made in line with the Ministerial and Other Pensions and Salaries Act 1991.
I have responsibility for Investment. My noble Friends, the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Lord Offord of Garvel) is the Minister for Exports, and the Minister of State (The Earl of Minto) is the Minister for Regulatory Reform.
Further details of each Minister’s responsibilities can be found on the Department’s GOV.UK home page under ‘Our Ministers’: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-business-and-trade.
The Professional Qualifications Bill will allow the relevant national authority to enable regulators to enter into regulator recognition agreements with their overseas counterparts. Such arrangements are led by regulators.
The existing powers available to regulators differ depending upon the relevant underpinning legislation. Some regulators may need additional powers to enter into recognition agreements, if regulators choose to do so. This will complement existing legislation. Some examples of regulators in this position include:
This list is not exhaustive, as not all government departments and regulators have assessed whether or not they deem that they have the powers to enter into regulator recognition agreements. We would expect engagement to be carried out with the relevant regulator before any regulations were laid to provide these additional powers.
The Government will continue to engage with regulators on the Professional Qualifications Bill, including on whether they may benefit from additional powers to enter into regulator recognition agreements.
The Government announced the Pilot Recognition Arrangements Grant Programme on 29 June, and it opened to applications on 8 July. Guidance on the application process is available on GOV.UK. The programme is targeted at supporting the costs of acquiring additional technical expertise incurred by regulatory and professional bodies in preparing for or negotiating a recognition arrangement. Many regulators and professional bodies have agreed recognition arrangements already, this programme will support the establishment of additional recognition arrangements.
Successful applicants will be able to apply for reimbursement of 80% of eligible costs for technical expertise to support the agreement of recognition arrangements. Regulators will be able to seek reimbursement of up to £20,000 for individual applicant bodies and £40,000 for groups of applicants. Eligible regulators and professional bodies will be required to submit a business case to apply for funding, and applications will be assessed and ranked against objective criteria. The total grant funding available under the pilot programme is £210,000.
The programme is open to regulators that control access to professions regulated in law, and professional bodies that award professional titles and voluntarily regulate professions without underpinning legislation. These bodies must operate within at least one of the four UK nations and must operate within the Professional and Business Services sector, in professions such as accounting, audit, engineering and legal services.
The Government has launched the grant programme as a pilot in order to assess the demand and potential value-add of government funding for recognition agreements. The programme will initially run for this financial year only and will undergo monitoring and evaluation to assess the efficacy of direct financial support for regulators and professional bodies in this area. Consideration will then be given as to whether the programme should be extended or not.
The Government announced the Pilot Recognition Arrangements Grant Programme on 29 June, and it opened to applications on 8 July. Guidance on the application process is available on GOV.UK. The programme is targeted at supporting the costs of acquiring additional technical expertise incurred by regulatory and professional bodies in preparing for or negotiating a recognition arrangement. Many regulators and professional bodies have agreed recognition arrangements already, this programme will support the establishment of additional recognition arrangements.
Successful applicants will be able to apply for reimbursement of 80% of eligible costs for technical expertise to support the agreement of recognition arrangements. Regulators will be able to seek reimbursement of up to £20,000 for individual applicant bodies and £40,000 for groups of applicants. Eligible regulators and professional bodies will be required to submit a business case to apply for funding, and applications will be assessed and ranked against objective criteria. The total grant funding available under the pilot programme is £210,000.
The programme is open to regulators that control access to professions regulated in law, and professional bodies that award professional titles and voluntarily regulate professions without underpinning legislation. These bodies must operate within at least one of the four UK nations and must operate within the Professional and Business Services sector, in professions such as accounting, audit, engineering and legal services.
The Government has launched the grant programme as a pilot in order to assess the demand and potential value-add of government funding for recognition agreements. The programme will initially run for this financial year only and will undergo monitoring and evaluation to assess the efficacy of direct financial support for regulators and professional bodies in this area. Consideration will then be given as to whether the programme should be extended or not.
The Government announced the Pilot Recognition Arrangements Grant Programme on 29 June, and it opened to applications on 8 July. Guidance on the application process is available on GOV.UK. The programme is targeted at supporting the costs of acquiring additional technical expertise incurred by regulatory and professional bodies in preparing for or negotiating a recognition arrangement. Many regulators and professional bodies have agreed recognition arrangements already, this programme will support the establishment of additional recognition arrangements.
Successful applicants will be able to apply for reimbursement of 80% of eligible costs for technical expertise to support the agreement of recognition arrangements. Regulators will be able to seek reimbursement of up to £20,000 for individual applicant bodies and £40,000 for groups of applicants. Eligible regulators and professional bodies will be required to submit a business case to apply for funding, and applications will be assessed and ranked against objective criteria. The total grant funding available under the pilot programme is £210,000.
The programme is open to regulators that control access to professions regulated in law, and professional bodies that award professional titles and voluntarily regulate professions without underpinning legislation. These bodies must operate within at least one of the four UK nations and must operate within the Professional and Business Services sector, in professions such as accounting, audit, engineering and legal services.
The Government has launched the grant programme as a pilot in order to assess the demand and potential value-add of government funding for recognition agreements. The programme will initially run for this financial year only and will undergo monitoring and evaluation to assess the efficacy of direct financial support for regulators and professional bodies in this area. Consideration will then be given as to whether the programme should be extended or not.
The Government announced the Pilot Recognition Arrangements Grant Programme on 29 June, and it opened to applications on 8 July. Guidance on the application process is available on GOV.UK. The programme is targeted at supporting the costs of acquiring additional technical expertise incurred by regulatory and professional bodies in preparing for or negotiating a recognition arrangement. Many regulators and professional bodies have agreed recognition arrangements already, this programme will support the establishment of additional recognition arrangements.
Successful applicants will be able to apply for reimbursement of 80% of eligible costs for technical expertise to support the agreement of recognition arrangements. Regulators will be able to seek reimbursement of up to £20,000 for individual applicant bodies and £40,000 for groups of applicants. Eligible regulators and professional bodies will be required to submit a business case to apply for funding, and applications will be assessed and ranked against objective criteria. The total grant funding available under the pilot programme is £210,000.
The programme is open to regulators that control access to professions regulated in law, and professional bodies that award professional titles and voluntarily regulate professions without underpinning legislation. These bodies must operate within at least one of the four UK nations and must operate within the Professional and Business Services sector, in professions such as accounting, audit, engineering and legal services.
The Government has launched the grant programme as a pilot in order to assess the demand and potential value-add of government funding for recognition agreements. The programme will initially run for this financial year only and will undergo monitoring and evaluation to assess the efficacy of direct financial support for regulators and professional bodies in this area. Consideration will then be given as to whether the programme should be extended or not.
The assistance centre supports professionals with overseas qualifications intending to work in the UK, and UK qualified professionals seeking to practise overseas. Its website and telephone advice service help professionals identify the right regulators, which may not always be clear.
Some regulators are pursuing recognition arrangements with EU counterparts, and the Government is agreeing new trade deals with provisions on the recognition of professional qualifications. The assistance centre will be useful to UK professionals as they make use of these provisions to work or provide services overseas.
Finally, the assistance centre provides support and guidance to authorities responsible for regulating professions in the UK. Many authorities use the assistance centre as a source of information on international recognition agreements.
My Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy is responsible for making arrangements in relation to the assistance centre.
The current assistance centre, the UK Centre for Professional Qualifications, has 2.5 full time equivalent staff and is provided at a very modest cost. The exact terms of the contract for the service are commercially sensitive.
The UK had a National Contact Point for Professional Qualifications in 2007 when the legislation implementing the Recognition of Professional Qualifications Directive 2005/36/EC came into force. It was initially housed within government before a contract to run the service was awarded to ECCTIS Limited in December 2008.
The Recognition of Professional Qualifications Directive 2013/55/EU changed the requirement from each EU Member State having a National Contact Point to having an assistance centre. When the implementing legislation for this Directive came into force, the UK National Contact Point for Professional Qualifications changed to the UK National Assistance Centre in January 2016. The requirement for the assistance centre was preserved in retained EU law at the end of the Transition Period.
Providing a statutory basis for the continued existence of an assistance centre in the Bill includes placing a duty on competent authorities to cooperate with it. This is to ensure that the assistance centre has the necessary information to help support the delivery of its functions, rather than relying on voluntary information sharing arrangements. The information shared by regulators with the assistance centre is limited in nature, so this is not an onerous duty for regulators.
The assistance centre supports professionals with overseas qualifications intending to work in the UK, and UK qualified professionals seeking to practise overseas. Its website and telephone advice service help professionals identify the right regulators, which may not always be clear.
Some regulators are pursuing recognition arrangements with EU counterparts, and the Government is agreeing new trade deals with provisions on the recognition of professional qualifications. The assistance centre will be useful to UK professionals as they make use of these provisions to work or provide services overseas.
Finally, the assistance centre provides support and guidance to authorities responsible for regulating professions in the UK. Many authorities use the assistance centre as a source of information on international recognition agreements.
My Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy is responsible for making arrangements in relation to the assistance centre.
The current assistance centre, the UK Centre for Professional Qualifications, has 2.5 full time equivalent staff and is provided at a very modest cost. The exact terms of the contract for the service are commercially sensitive.
The UK had a National Contact Point for Professional Qualifications in 2007 when the legislation implementing the Recognition of Professional Qualifications Directive 2005/36/EC came into force. It was initially housed within government before a contract to run the service was awarded to ECCTIS Limited in December 2008.
The Recognition of Professional Qualifications Directive 2013/55/EU changed the requirement from each EU Member State having a National Contact Point to having an assistance centre. When the implementing legislation for this Directive came into force, the UK National Contact Point for Professional Qualifications changed to the UK National Assistance Centre in January 2016. The requirement for the assistance centre was preserved in retained EU law at the end of the Transition Period.
Providing a statutory basis for the continued existence of an assistance centre in the Bill includes placing a duty on competent authorities to cooperate with it. This is to ensure that the assistance centre has the necessary information to help support the delivery of its functions, rather than relying on voluntary information sharing arrangements. The information shared by regulators with the assistance centre is limited in nature, so this is not an onerous duty for regulators.
The assistance centre supports professionals with overseas qualifications intending to work in the UK, and UK qualified professionals seeking to practise overseas. Its website and telephone advice service help professionals identify the right regulators, which may not always be clear.
Some regulators are pursuing recognition arrangements with EU counterparts, and the Government is agreeing new trade deals with provisions on the recognition of professional qualifications. The assistance centre will be useful to UK professionals as they make use of these provisions to work or provide services overseas.
Finally, the assistance centre provides support and guidance to authorities responsible for regulating professions in the UK. Many authorities use the assistance centre as a source of information on international recognition agreements.
My Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy is responsible for making arrangements in relation to the assistance centre.
The current assistance centre, the UK Centre for Professional Qualifications, has 2.5 full time equivalent staff and is provided at a very modest cost. The exact terms of the contract for the service are commercially sensitive.
The UK had a National Contact Point for Professional Qualifications in 2007 when the legislation implementing the Recognition of Professional Qualifications Directive 2005/36/EC came into force. It was initially housed within government before a contract to run the service was awarded to ECCTIS Limited in December 2008.
The Recognition of Professional Qualifications Directive 2013/55/EU changed the requirement from each EU Member State having a National Contact Point to having an assistance centre. When the implementing legislation for this Directive came into force, the UK National Contact Point for Professional Qualifications changed to the UK National Assistance Centre in January 2016. The requirement for the assistance centre was preserved in retained EU law at the end of the Transition Period.
Providing a statutory basis for the continued existence of an assistance centre in the Bill includes placing a duty on competent authorities to cooperate with it. This is to ensure that the assistance centre has the necessary information to help support the delivery of its functions, rather than relying on voluntary information sharing arrangements. The information shared by regulators with the assistance centre is limited in nature, so this is not an onerous duty for regulators.
The assistance centre supports professionals with overseas qualifications intending to work in the UK, and UK qualified professionals seeking to practise overseas. Its website and telephone advice service help professionals identify the right regulators, which may not always be clear.
Some regulators are pursuing recognition arrangements with EU counterparts, and the Government is agreeing new trade deals with provisions on the recognition of professional qualifications. The assistance centre will be useful to UK professionals as they make use of these provisions to work or provide services overseas.
Finally, the assistance centre provides support and guidance to authorities responsible for regulating professions in the UK. Many authorities use the assistance centre as a source of information on international recognition agreements.
My Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy is responsible for making arrangements in relation to the assistance centre.
The current assistance centre, the UK Centre for Professional Qualifications, has 2.5 full time equivalent staff and is provided at a very modest cost. The exact terms of the contract for the service are commercially sensitive.
The UK had a National Contact Point for Professional Qualifications in 2007 when the legislation implementing the Recognition of Professional Qualifications Directive 2005/36/EC came into force. It was initially housed within government before a contract to run the service was awarded to ECCTIS Limited in December 2008.
The Recognition of Professional Qualifications Directive 2013/55/EU changed the requirement from each EU Member State having a National Contact Point to having an assistance centre. When the implementing legislation for this Directive came into force, the UK National Contact Point for Professional Qualifications changed to the UK National Assistance Centre in January 2016. The requirement for the assistance centre was preserved in retained EU law at the end of the Transition Period.
Providing a statutory basis for the continued existence of an assistance centre in the Bill includes placing a duty on competent authorities to cooperate with it. This is to ensure that the assistance centre has the necessary information to help support the delivery of its functions, rather than relying on voluntary information sharing arrangements. The information shared by regulators with the assistance centre is limited in nature, so this is not an onerous duty for regulators.