News story: Crime news: outstanding bill submissions for Crown Court work

Reminder letters are going out about the need to bill for Crown Court work for cases that finished more than 3 months ago.

We are sending out reminder letters to providers to send in bills for Crown Court cases that finished more than 3 months ago.

The letters are going to providers:

  • about outstanding bills under the Litigators Graduated Fee Scheme (LGFS)
  • where the instructed advocate has yet to submit a bill under the Advocates Graduated Fee Scheme (AGFS).

The help of providers is needed to forward letters to advocates about billing under AGFS. This is because we do not have contact details for advocates until they have submitted an AGFS bill.

Advocates are asked to give their support when letters are forwarded to them.

Why are you doing this now?

We’ve reviewed our services and are concerned that delays in submitting bills under LGFS and AGFS is affecting our service delivery.

Further information

Nil-Bill-CCMT@legalaid.gsi.gov.uk – for any questions about this process



News story: GC history and role explained at RSC meeting

The Government Chemist was invited to speak at a meeting of the Peninsula section of the Royal Society of Chemistry at Plymouth University

Selvarani Elahi, the Deputy Government Chemist, was invited as a guest speaker at the Annual Open Meeting of the Peninsula section of the Royal Society of Chemistry held at Plymouth University in May 2017.

Selvarani gave a presentation that began with the origins of the Government Chemist in the mid-19th century when professional chemistry was in its infancy. At the time eager debate took place within the newly founded scientific societies, such as the Chemical Society (now the Royal Society of Chemistry), on new discoveries and how to communicate these to demonstrate the benefits of chemistry to society.

Government first established a laboratory in 1842 with a single scientist to determine the adulteration of tobacco for excise purposes. From these humble beginnings the laboratory grew and official recognition of the importance of chemistry was established by the appointment of a Government Chemist. The Laboratory of the Government Chemist, as it was subsequently called, grew in stature to provide government departments with accurate chemical measurements and sound scientific advice to underpin a modern industrialised society.

Peninsula section of the Royal Society of Chemistry

Selvarani took the audience through the different types of cases that the Government Chemist has had to deal with over the years. She explained the work behind recent food safety and food fraud events such as the “horsemeat scandal” and the presence of peanut in a nut-free factory.

For more information about the work of the Government Chemist please contact us.



Statement to Parliament: West Coast Partnership and South Eastern rail franchise bidders

I am pleased to inform the House that we have today (22 June 2017) published the shortlists of companies that will bid for the new West Coast Partnership (WCP) franchise which will launch the first services on HS2, and the next South Eastern franchise.

The House will be aware passenger numbers have more than doubled since privatisation of the railways 20 years ago and our country’s railways need to adapt and change to be able to cope with this and future demands. This government is committed to revolutionising our railways through innovation and investment to transform passengers’ experiences and ensure our railways work for everyone.

This is an exciting time for both franchises, which are changing to ensure passengers are at the heart of their services. The winner of the WCP franchise will be expected to work with HS2 Ltd to launch the first services on HS2, taking advantage of the extra space it will provide for commuters on the West Coast Main Line. The winner of the South Eastern franchise will need to work as one team with Network Rail to ensure passengers experience better journeys and provide longer trains with more space.

West Coast Partnership franchise

The WCP will be responsible for services on the West Coast Main Line from April 2019 and will design and run the initial HS2 high speed services between London and Birmingham from 2026.

The shortlist contains bidding consortia which sees UK rail network experts working in partnership with companies that operate high speed railways around the globe, supported by businesses which have an excellent track record in customer services.

They are:

  • First Trenitalia West Coast Ltd, a joint venture between First Rail Holdings Ltd and Trenitalia SpA
  • MTR West Coast Partnership Ltd, a joint venture between MTR Corporation (UK) Ltd and Guangshen Railway Company, with the following key sub-contractors:
    • Deloitte MCS Ltd
    • Panasonic Systems Europe
    • Snowfall AB
    • Trainline.com Ltd
    • WSP Parsons Brinkerhoff
  • West Coast Partnership Ltd a joint venture between Stagecoach Group plc, Virgin Holdings Ltd and SNCF C3

The WCP will support growth and better services on the West Coast Main Line while helping to ensure HS2 becomes the backbone of Britain’s future railways. This will create more seats for passengers, improve connections between our great cities, free up space on existing rail lines and generate jobs and economic growth throughout the country.

The winning bidder will collaborate with HS2 Ltd to design, launch and operate the initial HS2 services and deliver the transition of the timetable on the West Coast Main Line as it is revised to take advantage of the extra capacity provided by HS2. There are significant benefits in bringing the 2 projects closer together to ensure the best outcomes for passengers both before and after the start of the HS2 services.

The new operator will also be expected to work closely with local transport authorities, Transport Scotland and the Welsh government to ensure passengers receive the excellent experience they demand from the West Coast Main Line.

South Eastern franchise

The South Eastern franchise is one of the busiest franchises in the UK, running almost 2,000 services every weekday. We want passengers to be at the heart of everything that the new operator does, enjoying modern, spacious trains on a more punctual and reliable service. We will listen to what passengers say in the current public consultation, and we will seek to make changes and improvements only with their support. We will create more space for passengers in the peak commuting times including by running longer, more modern trains in and around London.

Other ambitions for this franchise include:

  • increasing the reliability of trains by using the latest technology while reducing delays by encouraging the operator to work closely with Network Rail
  • improving passenger compensation arrangements and supporting smart ticketing
  • improving customer service, with staff able to respond quickly and effectively, including during disruption.

The new franchise will also complement the completion of 2 major enhancement schemes – Thameslink and Crossrail – providing passengers with more trains, more destinations, and significant improvements in reliability and performance. The winner of the next South Eastern franchise will be required to optimise the value of these investments for passengers.

The shortlisted bidders for the South Eastern rail franchise competition are:

  • the franchise applicant, South Eastern Railways Ltd, is currently a wholly owned subsidiary of Abellio Transport Group Ltd
    • if awarded the franchise it would become a subsidiary of South Eastern Holdings Ltd, a joint venture between Abellio and the consortium of East Japan Railway Company and Mitsui & Co Ltd
  • London and South East Passenger Rail Services Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Govia Ltd
  • Stagecoach South Eastern Trains Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Stagecoach Group plc
  • Trenitalia UK Ltd, wholly owned by Trenitalia SpA

The public consultation seeking views and priorities for the new South Eastern franchise runs until June 30. The new franchise is planned to start in December 2018.

New companies enter the market

I am also pleased to inform the House that 2 companies have applied for a pre-qualification questionnaire passport to allow them to enter the bidding process. These firms are now eligible to express an interest in all upcoming rail franchise competitions until September 2019.



News story: Bidders for 2 rail franchises named by government

The government has today (22 June 2017) announced the names of the companies in the running for the new West Coast Partnership (WCP) rail franchise and the next South Eastern franchise.

Passenger numbers have more than doubled since privatisation of the railways 20 years ago and our country’s railways need to adapt and change to be able to cope with this and future demands. This government is committed to revolutionising our railways through innovation and investment to transform passengers’ experiences and ensure our railways work for everyone.

This is an exciting time for both franchises, which are changing to ensure passengers are at the heart of their services. The winner of the WCP franchise will be expected to work with HS2 Ltd to launch the first services on HS2, taking advantage of the extra space it will provide for commuters on the West Coast Main Line. The winner of the South Eastern franchise will need to work as one team with Network Rail to ensure passengers experience better journeys and provide longer trains with more space.

West Coast Partnership franchise

The WCP will be responsible for services on the West Coast Main Line from April 2019 and will design and run the initial HS2 high speed services between London and Birmingham from 2026.

The shortlist contains bidding consortia which sees UK rail network experts working in partnership with companies that operate high speed railways around the globe, supported by businesses which have an excellent track record in customer services.

They are:

  • First Trenitalia West Coast Ltd, a joint venture between First Rail Holdings Ltd and Trenitalia SpA
  • MTR West Coast Partnership Ltd, a joint venture between MTR Corporation (UK) Ltd and Guangshen Railway Company, with the following key sub-contractors:
    • Deloitte MCS Ltd
    • Panasonic Systems Europe
    • Snowfall AB
    • Trainline.com Ltd
    • WSP Parsons Brinkerhoff
  • West Coast Partnership Ltd, a joint venture between Stagecoach Group plc, Virgin Holdings Ltd and SNCF C3

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said:

The West Coast Partnership will support growth and better services on the West Coast Main Line while helping to ensure that HS2 becomes the backbone of Britain’s railways.

This will create more seats for passengers, improve connections between our great cities, free up space on existing rail lines and generate jobs and economic growth throughout the country. I look forward to seeing the bidders’ innovative ideas to put passengers at the heart of the railway.

The winning bidder will collaborate with HS2 Ltd to design, launch and operate the initial HS2 services and deliver the transition of the timetable on the West Coast Main Line as it is revised to take advantage of the extra capacity provided by HS2. There are significant benefits in bringing the 2 projects closer together to ensure the best outcomes for passengers both before and after the start of the HS2 services.

The new operator will also be expected to work closely with local transport authorities, Transport Scotland and the Welsh government to ensure passengers receive the excellent experience they demand from the West Coast Main Line.

South Eastern franchise

The companies which want to run the next South Eastern franchise are:

  • South Eastern Holdings Ltd, a joint venture company that on franchise award will be wholly owned by Abellio Transport Group Ltd and East Japan Railway Company and Mitsui & Co Ltd
  • London and South East Passenger Rail Services Lrd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Govia Ltd
  • Stagecoach South Eastern Trains Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Stagecoach Group plc
  • Trenitalia UK Ltd, wholly owned by Trenitalia SpA

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said:

South Eastern is one of the busiest franchises in the UK, running almost 2,000 services every weekday. We want passengers to be at the heart of everything that the new operator does, enjoying modern, spacious trains on a more punctual and reliable service. We will listen to what passengers say in the current public consultation, and we will seek to make changes and improvements only with their support.

The Secretary of State has been clear that his ambitions for the franchise include:

  • creating more space for passengers on modern comfortable trains
  • increasing the reliability of trains by using the latest technology while reducing delays by encouraging the operator to work closely with Network Rail
  • improving passenger compensation arrangements and supporting smart ticketing
  • improving customer service, with staff able to respond quickly and effectively, including during disruption

The consultation for people to share their views and priorities for the South Eastern franchise runs until 30 June 2017. The new franchise is planned to start in December 2018.

New companies enter the market

Two companies have also applied for a pre-qualification questionnaire passport to allow them to enter the bidding process. These firms are now eligible to express an interest in all upcoming rail franchise competitions until September 2019. These companies are:



Press release: 26,000 Welsh businesses will be directly targeted with support to increase exports

The UK Government will directly contact 26,000 Welsh businesses and provide support to help them export their goods and services.

Welsh Secretary Alun Cairns announced today that he will be writing to 26,000 Welsh businesses that have been identified as potential exporters and sending them a copy of a dedicated exporting guide for Welsh businesses.

Wales is already an exporting nation. In 2016, 4,000 companies took their first forays into the global market at a value of £12.4 billion. Across the UK, exports contribute over £570 billion to GDP annually.

The Wales Export Guide, sets out the full range of support available to Welsh businesses from the UK Government and contains inspiring stories of companies based in Wales that are successfully exporting. Alun Cairns hopes that businesses will recognise the huge potential available to help them invest and grow.

Secretary of State for Wales Alun Cairns said:

I want Welsh businesses to get out into the wider world, to trade and do business all around the globe. That is why we are sharing the advice, guidance and support available from the UK Government, in particular from the Department for International Trade, for businesses in our Wales Export Guide. We want to help them to build their brand abroad as we continue to increase UK exports and encourage inward investment.

The Welsh Secretary will make the announcement on a visit to mid Wales based global success story Nidec Control Techniques. He will visit Control Techniques global HQ in Newtown, as the UK Government works to give maximum legal certainty for businesses, workers and investors whilst the UK prepares to leave the European Union.

Nidec Control Techniques designs and manufactures electric motor control technology for industry. With multiple offices in over 20 countries world-wide, its almost 500-strong staff based in Newtown play a key role in delivering for a customer base that spans Europe, the Americas and Asia.

Mr Cairns added:

Nidec Control Techniques is a prime example of a global company that is demonstrating confidence in the business environment in Wales. As we begin the process of leaving the EU, it is vital that we look to provide companies like this with the certainty they need to maintain their investment.

Japan is one of the UK’s key economic partners and second largest inward investor. We want to see our partnership continue to grow and flourish. That is why I am embarking on a series of visits to global companies based here in Wales to provide the reassurance that this is a country that is just as outward looking and ambitious as ever before.

It is our priority as a Government to continue to focus on creating the right conditions for economic growth. In light of yesterday’s announcement from Tesco we must endeavour to retain jobs, promote business opportunities in Wales and to ensure our country remains a competitive place to do business.

Rhidian Wilson, Vice President and General Manager at Control Techniques, said:

We are grateful to the Secretary of State for visiting us, and we welcome his reassurance that the Government will work with industry to improve our opportunities.

Control Techniques is at an exciting point in its history under its new Japanese owners, Nidec, and we want to ensure Wales remains a cost effective manufacturing location now and in the future.

We also welcome the Secretary of State’s ideas around helping engineering firms attract and retain high calibre talent in Mid Wales, as well as ensuring opportunities are available to educate and inspire future generations. This is crucial to ensuring global companies like ours can continue to compete on the global stage.

Mr Cairns will also deliver a keynote speech at the Wales Technology Awards in Cardiff on Thursday evening as part of the UK Government’s support for the Wales Innovation Festival.

He added:

In Wales we design, develop, manufacture and integrate some of the world’s most advanced technologies essential to most other industry sectors. Our work underpins innovation and development across many different markets which is critical to our trade and investment success.

Notes to editors

  • The Secretary of State will deliver the keynote speech at ESTNET Wales Technology Awards 2017 on Thursday 22 June at the Wales Millennium Centre.

PDF, 1.67MB, 22 pages

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