Written Ministerial Statements

UK Asset Resolution – Test case outcome in relation to the Consumer Credit Act (CCA) 2008

In February 2008, under the previous Government, Northern Rock was nationalised due to the financial crisis. In January 2010 the previous Government restructured the activities of Northern Rock between Northern Rock plc, a newly created company which was ...

Publication of the Dartford – Thurrock Crossing Charging Scheme: Accounts for 2013-14

The Dartford – Thurrock Crossing Charging Scheme account for 2013-14 is published today under Section 3 (1) (d) of the Trunk Road Charging Schemes (Bridges and Tunnels) (Keeping of Accounts) (England) Regulations 2003. A copy of the accounts will be place...

Triennial Review of the Land Registration Rule Committee

The Coalition Government made a commitment to review public bodies, with the aim of increasing accountability for actions carried out on behalf of the state. The Triennial Review of the Land Registration Rule Committee (LRRC) is one of the Department of B...

Third DECC annual progress report on the roll-out of smart meters

Today, I am pleased to announce the publication of the third DECC annual report on the roll-out of smart meters, which fulfils DECC’s commitment to provide an update to Parliament on the past year’s progress.Smart meters give consumers greater control ove...

Regulatory Justification of the UK ABWR nuclear reactor

I have today laid before the House a draft statutory instrument containing my decision, as Justifying Authority under the Justification of Practices Involving Ionising Radiation Regulations 2004, that the generation of electricity from the nuclear reactor...

Pharmaceutical Price Regulation Scheme PPRS Payment for 2015

I am announcing today the level of payment due from members of the Pharmaceutical Price Regulation Scheme (PPRS) in 2015 to keep health service spend on branded medicines within the levels agreed under the Scheme. The PPRS payment percentage for 2015 will...

Laying of the HM Courts & Tribunals Service 2013-14 Trust Statement

Her Majesty’s Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) has prepared a Trust Statement providing an account of the collection of revenues which are due to be paid to HM Treasury. The Statement includes the value of fines and confiscation orders imposed by ...

Consultations on removing certain exemptions from operator licensing and annual roadworthiness testing

I am today announcing the publication of two related public consultations that will close on 5th March 2015. · HGV Periodic Testing and Inspections Exemptions· Goods Vehicle Operator Licensing Exemptions Consultation Historically certain heavier vehicles ...

Development Foreign Affairs Council, Foreign Affairs Council, and General Affairs Council: 12, 15 and 16 December

My Right Honourable Friend the Secretary of State for International Development will attend the Development Foreign Affairs Council on 12 December, my Right Honourable Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs will attend the Fore...

Private Rented Sector

The Government can announce that it has awarded the licence for the Private Rented Sector Housing Guarantee Scheme to PRS Operations Ltd, a subsidiary of Venn Partners LLP. Venn Partners’ bid was selected through an open and competitive procurement proces...

Police Integrity

On 22 July, I gave a statement to the House on this Government’s ongoing work to ensure the highest standards of integrity in the police. I informed the House that I would undertake a number of reviews, including an end-to-end review of the police complai...

Police and National Crime Agency Remuneration Review Bodies – announcement of new Board Members

I am pleased to announce that I have appointed Anita Bharucha and Paul Leighton as members of the Police and National Crime Agency Remuneration Review Bodies. These appointments will be to 31 August 2017, commencing on 11 December.Anita Bharucha is curren...

Advanced biofuels demonstration competition

My Noble Friend, the Minister of State for Transport, (Baroness Kramer), has made the following Written Ministerial Statement: I have today launched the Government’s £25m Advanced Biofuels Demonstration Competition to support the development of a domestic...

Justice and Home Affairs post-Council Statement

The Justice and Home Affairs (JHA) Council was held on 4 and 5 December in Brussels. My rt hon Friend, the Secretary of State for Justice (Chris Grayling MP) and I attended on behalf of the United Kingdom. The following items were discussed. The Justice D...

RAIL FRANCHISING: INTERCITY EAST COAST

My Right Honourable friend, the Secretary of State for Transport (Patrick McLoughlin), has made the following Ministerial Statement: On 27 November 2014 I announced my intention to award the InterCity East Coast rail franchise to Inter City Railways Limit...

Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council

My Right Honourable Friend The Minister for Employment (Esther McVey MP) has made the following Written Statement.I will be attending the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (EPSCO), which will be held on 11 December 2014 in B...

Finance Bill 2015

My honourable friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury has today made the following Written Ministerial Statement.The Government has consulted on a number of tax policies following their announcement at Budget 2014. Today, the Government is publishi...

EU Competitiveness Council

The Competitiveness Council took place in Brussels on 4-5 December. I represented the UK during the Internal Market and Industry discussion on day one, with Shan Morgan the Deputy Permanent Representative to the EU representing the UK for the Research dis...

Advanced Biofuels

I have today launched the Government’s £25m Advanced Biofuels Demonstration Competition to support the development of a domestic advanced biofuel industry, we have also published the independent feasibility study on the Department’s website at www.gov.uk/...

Justice & Home Affairs post-Council Statement

The Justice and Home Affairs (JHA) Council was held on 4 and 5 December in Brussels. My rt hon Friends the Home Secretary (Theresa May MP) and the Secretary of State for Justice (Chris Grayling MP) attended on behalf of the United Kingdom. The following i...

State of Policing: The Annual Assessment of Policing in England and Wales 2013/14

Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary has today laid before Parliament his annual assessment of policing in England and Wales in accordance with Section 54 of the Police Act 1996. Copies are available at www.hmic.gov.uk and in the Vote Office.This...

Protocol 15 to the Convention on the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms

Further to my statement on Tuesday 28 October (Column 16WS) I hereby exercise powers under section 21 of the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010 to extend the period for Protocol 15 to the European Convention on Human Rights to be laid before ...

Legal Aid

I am today publishing the Government response to the “Transforming Legal Aid: Crime Duty Contracts” consultation published on 24 September. Copies will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses. This consultation was specifically about the reports produce...

Publication of Smith Commission Heads of Agreement

Lord Smith of Kelvin has today published the Heads of Agreement with recommendations for further devolution of powers to the Scottish Parliament.In order to assist Members, I am depositing a copy of the heads of Agreement in the libraries of both Houses. ...

Winter preparedness for flooding

This statement updates the House on Government action to prepare for potential flooding this winter.Protecting the country from flooding is a core Defra priority. This Government is investing £3.2 billion in flood defences in this Parliament, compared to ...