Ministry of Justice statement in fee-paid judicial litigation: October 2019

The Ministry of Justice’s (MOJ) update to the Employment Tribunal confirms to all affected fee paid judicial office holders the MOJ approach to claims for pre 7 April 2000 service. In our most recent update, on 30 August, we confirmed our intention of making interim payments in lieu of pension to eligible retired claimants, for their pre 7 April 2000 service, pending provision of a statutory remedy which is our preferred long-term solution. The work required to make these interim payments is progressing well, with MOJ’s Judicial Claims Teams and our third-party pensions’ administrators working together closely to put in place a robust process. We expect to begin making payments before the end of the calendar year.

Ministry of Justice statement in fee-paid judicial litigation: August 2019

Chancellor letter to the Treasury Select Committee on the Withdrawal Agreement the government has negotiated with the EU

[unable to retrieve full-text content]A letter from Chancellor Sajid Javid responding to Catherine McKinnell MP on the Withdrawal Agreement the government has negotiated with the EU.

Consultation on rules for Department for Education performance table qualifications

A stack of different coloured hardback books

Ofqual has today (21 October 2019) published a consultation on proposed new rules that will strengthen the regulation of Technical Awards listed in Key Stage 4 performance tables. The proposals are intended to enhance the qualifications’ validity and better align our regulation with the Department for Education’s (DfE) performance table requirements.

Qualifications used for accountability purposes, through their use in performance tables, bear significant pressure and our recent research has identified issues that could have an impact on standards. Our proposals aim to address these issues and strengthen our approach to regulating these qualifications, while still allowing for appropriate differences in their design and delivery.

The proposed rules will cover:

Qualification purpose
Qualification design
Assessment design and delivery
Grading
Standard setting

Sally Collier, Chief Regulator, said:

These proposals demonstrate our commitment to regulate vocational and technical qualifications with the same seriousness and focus as we do general qualifications. We have worked closely with the Department for Education to strengthen our regulation in respect of these important performance table qualifications, while ensuring an appropriate degree of flexibility in their design. As a result, users of these qualifications can continue to be assured that they are a reliable and valid assessment of the knowledge and skills acquired by students.

A submission window will open in 2020 for awarding organisations to put forward qualifications for review
This will be for qualifications delivered in schools and colleges from September 2021, and awarded in summer 2023. DfE has confirmed that it intends to lift the current moratorium on adding new qualifications to the Key Stage 4 performance tables from 2023, subject to the outcome of Ofqual’s consultation
Submissions will be reviewed by Ofqual and the DfE against respective requirements – the proposed new rules (Ofqual) and Technical Guidance for Key Stage 4 Performance Table qualifications (DfE)
Ofqual will provide advice to the DfE on the validity of each qualification submitted
DfE will make a final decision about which of the qualifications submitted will be listed in the 2023 Key Stage 4 performance tables
Qualifications accepted for inclusion in the performance tables will then be regulated by Ofqual on an ongoing basis against the Qualification Level Conditions proposed in this consultation

The consultation is open until Monday 2 December 2019.

Published 21 October 2019

Angler ordered to pay more than £1,200 after obstructing water bailiff

The Environment Agency has successfully prosecuted Callum Copeland, 22, of White Alder, Stacey Bushes, with a total penalty of £1,234.72.

Copeland was convicted of wilfully obstructing a water bailiff, fishing without a licence and failing to state his address to a bailiff when required to do so. He was found guilty in his absence in a case held at Northampton Magistrates’ Court on 8 October 2019 following the offences at Silver Lake, Wappenham, Northamptonshire, on 5 March 2019.

The court was told that Environment Agency enforcement officers were patrolling at the lake and attempted to speak to Copeland, however after initially refusing to provide details when requested, or a valid fishing licence, he eventually provided false details.

Officers identified Copeland’s vehicle, which he confirmed belonged to him, and used the associated address to later issue him with a court summons.

Copeland did not attend court but was fined £660, ordered to pay costs of £530.72 and a victim surcharge of £44.

A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said:

“This case shows how determined we are in catching and prosecuting people who flout the laws and obstruct our officers in carrying out their duties.

“An annual fishing licence costs just £30, yet a small number of anglers continue to risk prosecution for fishing without a licence.

“Money raised from fishing licence sales is used to protect and improve fish stocks and fisheries, including improving habitats for fish and facilities for anglers, tackling illegal fishing and working with partners to encourage people to give fishing a go.

“For those caught cheating the system, we will always prosecute.”

People caught fishing without a licence can be fined up to £2,500. Children under 13 do not need a licence. Licences for children aged between 13 and 16 are free, but a junior licence is required.

Anyone who suspects illegal fishing to be taking place should report the matter to the Environment Agency’s incident hotline, on 0800 807060. Buy a rod licence and find out more on GOV.UK

South Sudan: Troika Statement, October 2019.

The text of the following statement was issued jointly by the governments of the United States, Norway, and the United Kingdom:

South Sudan faces a critical moment in the journey toward a peaceful and prosperous future. There are now less than four weeks for political leaders to form a transitional government as they committed to in the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan. The United States, the United Kingdom, and Norway (the Troika) have consistently welcomed assurances by the parties to implement the agreement and meet its deadlines, and hoped that recent meetings between South Sudan’s leadership show a renewed spirit of cooperation. We commend the actions of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) to broker the agreement and maintain momentum and take hope from the continued reduction in overall violence in South Sudan.

For too long, conflict has been waged at the expense of South Sudan’s most vulnerable and continues to exacerbate humanitarian needs. We encourage the parties, especially the current government, to take concrete steps to build trust through enhanced cooperation. With the November 12 deadline looming, extended from May, much more needs to be done urgently to ensure the success of the transitional government. Progress would help maintain the confidence of all the parties and the international community, demonstrate that the parties have the political will to work together during the transitional period, and provide the opportunity for the international community to engage productively with an inclusive, new government.

We welcome the discussions of IGAD countries in Addis Ababa last week; the region and the international community’s investment and engagement in a peaceful South Sudan remains important. The Troika will continue to stand with and support the people of South Sudan, who want and deserve peace and a government that that protects its people. We urge the South Sudanese parties to meet the November 12 deadline to form a transitional government that will enable the conditions for a constructive relationship during the next phase of South Sudan’s peace process. The UNSC visit to South Sudan offers an opportunity for the international community to discuss with South Sudanese leaders how to accelerate such progress.

Further information