Tag: Kelvin Hopkins

  • Kelvin Hopkins – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    Kelvin Hopkins – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kelvin Hopkins on 2016-07-06.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many (a) planned and (b) unplanned train service cancellations in each reporting period would place Govia Thameslink Railway in breach of the Remedial Plan agreed with his Department in February 2016.

    Claire Perry

    Under the Franchise Agreement, where GTR can provide the evidence that cancellations are due to official or unofficial industrial action, they can claim Force Majeure, which they have done. The Govia Thameslink Railway Franchise Agreement in Schedule 7.1 sets out the performance benchmarks and financial regime that is in place in relation to cancellations. A copy of the Franchise Agreement can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/govia-thameslink .

    The department is monitoring the position on a regular basis.

    “

  • Kelvin Hopkins – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    Kelvin Hopkins – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kelvin Hopkins on 2015-10-21.

    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what provision his Department has made for (a) payment of the national living wage by public sector employers and (b) the 3.4 per cent increase in Secondary National Insurance Contributions (NICs) from 2016-17 following the abolition of Contracted Out NICs.

    Greg Hands

    The impact of the new National Living Wage and the end of the contracting out of National Insurance Contributionswill be considered during the Spending Review as part of an overall assessment of spending priorities and pressures across the public sector. The Spending Review will conclude on 25th November 2015.

  • Kelvin Hopkins – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Scotland Office

    Kelvin Hopkins – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Scotland Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kelvin Hopkins on 2015-10-27.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what discussions he has had with Ministers of the Scottish Government on the potential effects of the provisions of the Trade Union Bill in Scotland.

    Anna Soubry

    The Minister for Skills in the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills has had an exchange of correspondence on the Trade Union Bill with Roseanna Cunningham, Minister for Fair Work, Skills and Training.

    On 8 October, he also had a telephone conversation with Ms Cunningham that covered the Bill.

    On 7 September, he also met with the Scottish Trade Unions Congress to discuss the Bill.

  • Kelvin Hopkins – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    Kelvin Hopkins – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kelvin Hopkins on 2015-10-26.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what proportion of the railway is able to accommodate the transport of full-sized lorry trailers on trains.

    Claire Perry

    The only railway infrastructure in Britain that can accommodate a rail freight service carrying lorry trailers is HS1 between the Channel Tunnel and Barking, which can carry the standard international 4 metres semi-trailer. It represents 0.75% per cent of Britain’s rail route mileage.

    The 80% of the UK domestic semi-trailer fleet with a height of 4.25 metres or greater cannot be accommodated on trains in Britain. However, container goods can be accepted across the freight network, which carries some 1 million containers – 30% of total container freight in the UK – a year.

  • Kelvin Hopkins – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    Kelvin Hopkins – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kelvin Hopkins on 2014-06-24.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what his policy is on sanctions against Israel; and what assessment he has made of the compliance of that policy with international law and relevant UN resolutions.

    Hugh Robertson

    We have been clear that we oppose sanctions and boycotts on Israel, and do not believe such steps would promote progress towards a two-state solution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. We are satisfied that this position is consistent with our international obligations.

  • Kelvin Hopkins – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Justice

    Kelvin Hopkins – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Justice

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kelvin Hopkins on 2014-04-10.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what plans he has to introduce individual case reviews following the introduction of the Transforming Rehabilitation agenda into magistrates’ courts in England and Wales.

    Jeremy Wright

    The Government has not yet decided on the future of the provision for case reviews. We have no plans to introduce specialisation in magistrates’ courts. However, the Government is currently undertaking a review of the role of magistrates with a view to ensuring that the magistracy remains the cornerstone of our justice system. A public consultation paper will be issued later in the year. We are engaging with the magistracy and sentencers to ensure they are fully informed about the Transforming Rehabilitation reforms.

  • Kelvin Hopkins – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    Kelvin Hopkins – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kelvin Hopkins on 2014-06-10.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he has taken to devolve decisions on London Midland passenger rail services to a local level; and what proposals on such lines he has made to the current franchisee.

    Stephen Hammond

    The Government is committed to the principle of devolving responsibility for a range of its activities to the most appropriate level of local government, where it is sensible to do so.

    A proposition is being drafted by West Midlands Rail body (WMR) which is expected to be received by the end of July. WMR is meeting with Secretary of State early in July to discuss devolution.

    Following receipt of the proposition, the Secretary of State will decide whether to agree to the proposition in principle. If this is the case, detailed negotiations on the financial and contractual elements will then follow.

  • Kelvin Hopkins – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Justice

    Kelvin Hopkins – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Justice

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kelvin Hopkins on 2014-04-10.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what plans he has to introduce specialisations in magistrates’ courts in England and Wales following the introduction of the Transforming Rehabilitation Agenda.

    Jeremy Wright

    The Government has not yet decided on the future of the provision for case reviews. We have no plans to introduce specialisation in magistrates’ courts. However, the Government is currently undertaking a review of the role of magistrates with a view to ensuring that the magistracy remains the cornerstone of our justice system. A public consultation paper will be issued later in the year. We are engaging with the magistracy and sentencers to ensure they are fully informed about the Transforming Rehabilitation reforms.

  • Kelvin Hopkins – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    Kelvin Hopkins – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kelvin Hopkins on 2014-06-12.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what proposals he has to further devolve responsibility for railways to the Scottish and Welsh governments and the English regions.

    Stephen Hammond

    The Government confirmed its support for the principle of further decentralisation of rail franchises in its July 2013 response to the Brown Review of rail franchising. Two propositions from English regions are currently being developed (West Midland Rail) or taken forward (with the Rail North consortium). We are examining the scope for further devolution of rail responsibilities in Wales. The Scottish Ministers already have substantial executive devolved powers in relation to the railways in Scotland.

  • Kelvin Hopkins – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Justice

    Kelvin Hopkins – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Justice

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kelvin Hopkins on 2014-04-10.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what guidance he has given magistrates in England and Wales on the introduction of the risk of serious recidivism tool into the National Probation Service following the introduction of the Transforming Rehabilitation model in England and Wales.

    Jeremy Wright

    The new Risk of Serious Recidivism (RSR) tool will be used to inform the allocation of cases to either the National Probation Service (NPS) or a Community Rehabilitation Company (CRC). We have begun the roll out of the tool to all Trusts, and have ensured that it is designed to minimise unnecessary bureaucracy so that staff working in the NPS or a CRC can spend more of their time managing and rehabilitating offenders.

    The RSR tool is an aid for probation staff and we have not issued magistrates with specific guidance on it. However, the Department engages regularly with the magistracy about the Transforming Rehabilitation reforms via the National Sentencer Probation Forum, as well as through other regular communication channels. Our intention is to ensure that the magistracy and sentencers more widely are fully informed about the Transforming Rehabilitation reforms. Training for the magistracy and any sentencing guidelines relating to the Offender Rehabilitation Act 2014 is a matter for the independent Judicial College and the Sentencing Council respectively.