Asked by: Jacob Rees-Mogg (Conservative - North East Somerset)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the proposed statutory guidance on the implementation of low traffic neighbourhoods will apply to existing trial schemes.
Answered by Guy Opperman
The Department's statutory guidance on implementing Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs) will apply to new and existing LTN schemes once it is published in final form this summer. Its purpose is to set out the Department’s expectations for comprehensive local engagement; both before new schemes are implemented, and on an ongoing basis for existing schemes. This is to ensure the needs of communities and road users are properly considered.
The Department will not support LTNs unless they are designed and delivered in line with the eventual, finalised statutory guidance; and reserves the right to take further action if local authorities do not follow it.
Asked by: Jacob Rees-Mogg (Conservative - North East Somerset)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make an assessment of the adequacy of the powers of the Financial Ombudsman Service to require companies to pay compensation to customers.
Answered by Bim Afolami
Parliament set up the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) to decide complaints quickly as an alternative to the courts – not to act as a law enforcer. However, firms that are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) are required under the FCA’s rules to co-operate with the ombudsman.
Following a consumer’s acceptance of the ombudsman’s final decision, this becomes binding on the firm. Firms are required to comply promptly with any decision that ombudsmen may make, including decisions on compensation.
If a firm fails to comply with the Ombudsman's decision, under the legislative framework, a complainant can enforce the decision through the courts. A money award can be recovered by execution of a county court order, while compliance with a direction is enforceable by way of an injunction. This does not require the merits of the case to be considered again by the court.