Attorney General provides undertaking for Grenfell Tower Inquiry

Knowing that, in the terms that she has given the undertaking, it will not jeopardise the police’s investigation or prospects of a future criminal prosecution, the Attorney General, the Rt Hon Suella Braverman QC MP, has given an undertaking to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry.

The undertaking means that no oral evidence provided to the Inquiry by individuals during modules 1, 2 and 3 of phase 2 will be used against the individual in any criminal proceedings. Additionally, the evidence cannot be used for the purpose of deciding whether to bring such proceedings against that individual. However the undertaking does not prevent witness evidence from being used against corporations in any future prosecution.

In making the decision, the Attorney General took into consideration all representations received including those from victims and their representatives. She also consulted the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Health and Safety Executive and the Metropolitan Police Service.

The Attorney General has concluded that the undertaking is needed to enable the Inquiry to continue to hear vital evidence about the circumstances and causes of the fire. Without it she has concluded that some witnesses would be likely to decline to give evidence.

Commenting on her decision, the Attorney General said:

“In making this decision I have had the victims of the fire and their loved ones at the forefront of my mind. I cannot begin to imagine what they have gone through and I know that the issue of an undertaking will have caused them further anguish.

The undertaking I am providing to the Inquiry means it can continue to take evidence from witnesses who otherwise would likely refuse to answer questions. These questions are important to finding out the truth about the circumstances of the fire. The undertaking will not jeopardise the police investigation or prospects of a future criminal prosecution.”

A factsheet on what the undertaking means is attached. Factsheet on Undertaking provided by the Attorney General (PDF, 71.7KB, 2 pages)



ESFA: Business Update

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    • Student Loans Company commences strategic partner procurement

    As part of its on-going commitment to improving its service to customers, the Student Loans Company (SLC) is undertaking a programme to appoint a number of strategic technology partners to support delivery of its technology refresh and modernisation agenda. This ambitious programme will transform the commercial framework and delivery models leveraged across SLC’s estate when working with strategic technology partners, developing enhanced capabilities while delivering better value for public money. The first stage of this programme commenced today with the announcement of a procurement to support the development of Customer Enablement Services to deliver improvements to the customer interface and the associated technology estate.

    Working in conjunction with its partners in the Department for Education and the Cabinet Office, the SLC is developing a procurement strategy that provides the most appropriate, compliant public sector, route to market for each lot within the programme, based on the complexity and stability of the in-scope services. The first procurement will be conducted on Lot 4a of Crown Commercial Service Technology Services 2 (TS2) Framework Agreement and will appoint a partner within specific applications within the customer software delivery estate. The procurement will be administered using a Call-Off Contract of an anticipated value of approximately £200m over the life time of the contract including any permissible extensions.

    Details of the future lots within the Strategic Partner Programme, including notification of the procurement route and market engagement plans will be communicated in due course.

    Stephen Campbell, Chief Information Officer said: “This is the first stage of delivering a new technology model that will see us working with a small number of strategic partners to develop, deliver and support our technology estate and digital services to customers. I am confident that such an approach will deliver higher standards of service while delivering value for our customers and shareholders.”

    Paula Sussex, Chief Executive Officer said: “Our new technology strategy, and proposed approach to building strategic technology partnerships, is critical to modernising our operational capability and to delivering an outstanding service to our customers.

    Notes to Editors

    The procurement exercise to appoint the first partner will be conducted via the Crown Commercial Services’ (CCS) ePortal on Lot 4a of the CCS’s Technology Services 2 (TS2) framework agreement, all relevant communication will be provided to the interested parties via this portal.

    It is expected that the contract award will be made in Q3 Financial year 2020/21.

    For further information contact: Press Office on 0141 306 2120 or press_office@slc.co.uk



    Government’s ambition to enhance the environment takes crucial step forward

    The UK’s green future outside the European Union will move a step closer today (Wednesday 26 February) with the Second Reading of the Environment Bill.

    Opening the Bill’s Second Reading, Environment Secretary George Eustice said the Bill is a keystone in the government’s vision to deliver the most ambitious environmental programme of any country on earth.

    The Bill was introduced on 30 January as a key part of this government’s commitment to deliver the most ambitious environmental programme of any country on Earth.

    By freeing ourselves from future changes to EU law, we will be able to lead the way at home and abroad to deliver global environmental change.

    Environment Secretary George Eustice said:

    The Prime Minster is clear – and so am I – we will deliver the most ambitious environmental programme of any country on Earth.

    This transformative Bill is at the heart of our work. It will see us recycling more and wasting less, breathing cleaner air, planting trees, safeguarding forests, and supporting nature recovery as we work to tackle climate change and reach net zero emissions.

    And this is just the start. 2020 is a massive year for our natural environment and the UK will take its place at the head of the world’s table when we host the COP 26 climate change conference in Glasgow, driving real change across the planet.

    The Environment Bill sets out how we plan to protect and improve the natural environment in the UK, legislating to ensure the environment is front and centre in our future policy making.

    The Bill will:

    • transform our environmental governance and put environmental principles into law;

    • establish the new independent Office for Environmental Protection to hold the government to account on the environment;

    • introduce legally binding targets to drive action by this and all future governments to significantly improve air quality, nature, water, and resource and waste efficiency.

    Acting as one of the key vehicles for delivering the bold vision set out in the 25 Year Environment Plan, it brings about urgent and meaningful action to tackle the environmental and climate crisis we are facing.

    Today, just a few weeks after the Bill was introduced, the primary legislation is being brought forward for Second Reading in the House of Commons. This is the first opportunity for MPs to debate the new Bill.

    The Bill sets a new and ambitious domestic framework for environmental governance as we maximise the opportunities created by leaving the European Union.

    This landmark Bill will enhance wildlife, tackle air pollution, transform how we manage our resources and waste, and improve the resilience of water supplies in a changing climate to ensure we protect and restore the natural environment.

    The Second Reading of the Environment Bill is due to conclude on Wednesday evening.

    The Bill will then go to Committee Stage, with Report Stage and Third Reading following this, before transferring to the House of Lords for further scrutiny.



    COVID-19: Health Secretary’s statement to Parliament

    Mr Speaker, with your permission, I’d like to update the House on COVID-19 coronavirus.

    As of this morning, 7,132 people in the UK have been tested for the virus.

    So far 13 people in the UK have tested positive, of whom 8 now have been discharged from hospital.

    We expect more cases here.

    As planned, 115 people left supported isolation at Kents Hill Park in Milton Keynes on 23 February. All tested negative for COVID-19.

    On Saturday, 32 people from the Diamond Princess cruise ship were repatriated and taken to Arrowe Park, where they will remain in supported isolation.

    And 4 of those have tested positive and been transferred to specialist centres.

    British tourists are currently being quarantined in a hotel in Tenerife and the Foreign Office is in contact with them.

    Mr Speaker, we have a clear, 4-part plan to respond to the outbreak of this disease:

    Contain. Delay. Research and Mitigate.

    We are taking all necessary measures to minimise the risk to the public.

    We have put in place enhanced monitoring measures at UK airports, and health information is available at all international airports, ports and international train stations.

    We have established a supported isolation facility at Heathrow, to cater for international passengers who are tested, and to maximise infection control and free up NHS resources.

    The NHS is testing a very large number of people who travel back from affected countries, the vast majority of whom test negative.

    In the past few days we have published guidance for schools, for employers, for first responders, for social care and the travel industry on how to handle suspected cases.

    If anyone has been in contact with a suspected case in a childcare or an educational setting, no special measures are required while test results are awaited.

    There is no need to close the school or send other students or staff home.

    Once the results arrive, those who test negative will be advised individually about returning to education.

    In most cases, closure of the childcare or education setting will be unnecessary, but this will be a local decision based on various factors including professional advice.

    Schools should be guided by the advice on the GOV.UK website and contact their regional school commissioner in case of queries.

    I can tell the House that in the coming days we will roll out a wider public information campaign.

    While the government and the NHS have plans in place for all eventualities, everyone can play their part.

    To reiterate, our advice is for everyone to take sensible precautions like using tissues and washing hands more.

    Yesterday, we updated our advice to returning travellers from northern Italy, defined as anywhere north of, but not including, Pisa and Florence, as well as Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar.

    Those returning from Iran, from the lockdown areas in northern Italy, and special care zone in South Korea should self-isolate and call NHS 111, even if they have no symptoms.

    We are working closely with the World Health Organization, the G7 and the wider international community to ensure that we are ready for all eventualities. We are co-ordinating research efforts with international partners.

    And our approach has at all times been guided by the Chief Medical Officer, working on the basis of the best possible scientific evidence.

    The public can be assured that we have a clear plan to contain, delay, research and mitigate, and that we are working methodically through each step to keep the public safe.

    I commend this statement to the House.