Asked by: Tracy Brabin (Labour (Co-op) - Batley and Spen)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what childcare facilities his Department makes available for its staff; how much his Department (a) overall and (b) per child on those facilities in the last 12 months; and how many of his Department's staff use those facilities.
Answered by Phillip Lee
There are no on-site childcare facilities provided by the Ministry of Justice on its estate. However, the Department recognises that employees need flexible pre-school and out-of-school childcare of a type and in a location most convenient to them, and we offer a salary sacrifice scheme for childcare vouchers. This enables employees to choose their own childcare provider (subject to meeting eligibility requirements) and have their childcare costs reduced by taking part of their salary in the form of childcare vouchers, which are exempt from tax and National Insurance contributions.
We also offer a range of flexible working options to staff, including term-time working, job shares and compressed hours, to allow staff with caring responsibilities to work in the way that best suits them.
Asked by: Tracy Brabin (Labour (Co-op) - Batley and Spen)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, with reference to the letter to him from Barnardo's, Victim Support, Liberty, Rape Crisis and the National Working Group of 18 July 2017, if he will review the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority Guidelines to ensure that children who are raped or sexually abused are not refused compensation on the grounds that they consented to that rape or abuse.
Answered by Phillip Lee
Child sexual abuse is abhorrent, and victims can apply for taxpayer-funded compensation awards through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme (the Scheme).
The Scheme is made by the Secretary of State under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Act 1995 having been approved by each House of Parliament. The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) administers the Scheme and decides all claims independently of ministers and Parliament. The CICA sets guidelines to assist them in administering the Scheme.
The CICA guidelines are intended to make sure that controlling and abusive behaviour is taken into account when handling compensation applications for child sexual abuse. The CICA are urgently reviewing their guidelines to ensure they are robust enough to deal with cases where grooming may be a factor.
Asked by: Tracy Brabin (Labour (Co-op) - Batley and Spen)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many staff are seconded to her Department; and how many such staff are seconded from which companies and organisations.
Answered by Phillip Lee
The table below shows the number of staff, as at 31 December 2016, who are seconded to the Ministry of Justice and which company they are from.
Organisation Contracted From | Total employees |
Cabinet Office | 9 |
Community Rehabilitation Companies | 5 |
Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy | 3 |
Department for Culture, Media and Sport | 1 |
Department for Education | 3 |
Department for Transport | 2 |
Department for Work and Pensions | 10 |
Devon County Council | 1 |
HM Inspectorate of Probation | 1 |
HM Revenue and Customs | 41 |
HM Treasury | 1 |
Home Office | 7 |
Metropolitan Police Service / Kent Police | 1 |
National Assembly for Wales | 1 |
National Audit Office | 1 |
National Crime Agency | 1 |
National Probation Service | 2 |
Office for National Statistics / ONS | 3 |
Rural Payments Agency | 1 |
West Mercia Police | 1 |
West Midlands Police | 1 |
Youth Offending Service | 2 |
Unknown | 9 |
Total | 107 |
Asked by: Tracy Brabin (Labour (Co-op) - Batley and Spen)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, for what reason she is not a member of the Government's European Union Exit and Trade Committee.
Answered by Phillip Lee
The list of Cabinet Committees and Implementation Taskforces, and their membership, is published on GOV.UK. Other Ministers attend the European Union Exit and Trade Committee where the agenda item concerns their portfolio.
Asked by: Tracy Brabin (Labour (Co-op) - Batley and Spen)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how agencies in the criminal justice system are held accountable for any failures to comply with the Code of Practice for Victims of Crime.
Answered by Phillip Lee
The Victims’ Code is freely available online, but we know more must be done to support and protect victims. We have made positive steps to improve the experience of victims, by reducing unnecessary stress and emotional turmoil of attending court. We have also reconvened the Victims’ Panel, so we can learn from the experiences of victims of crime.
Under the Victims’ Code those victims who feel that their rights have not been met can complain directly to the criminal justice agency concerned, and if they remain dissatisfied can take their complaint to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman. We are currently considering how compliance with the Victims’ Code might be improved and monitored, and exploring how those delivering services can be better held to account. Plans to engage with and obtain the views of victims and victims’ groups and criminal justice agencies are being developed. We will set out our strategy for victims within 12 months, and will bring forward any appropriate primary legislation.
Asked by: Tracy Brabin (Labour (Co-op) - Batley and Spen)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps her Department takes to ensure that victims of crime are made aware of the existence of the Victims' Code.
Answered by Phillip Lee
The Victims’ Code is freely available online, but we know more must be done to support and protect victims. We have made positive steps to improve the experience of victims, by reducing unnecessary stress and emotional turmoil of attending court. We have also reconvened the Victims’ Panel, so we can learn from the experiences of victims of crime.
Under the Victims’ Code those victims who feel that their rights have not been met can complain directly to the criminal justice agency concerned, and if they remain dissatisfied can take their complaint to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman. We are currently considering how compliance with the Victims’ Code might be improved and monitored, and exploring how those delivering services can be better held to account. Plans to engage with and obtain the views of victims and victims’ groups and criminal justice agencies are being developed. We will set out our strategy for victims within 12 months, and will bring forward any appropriate primary legislation.