Enhance the credibility of select committees, recommends report
The Select Committee on Reform of the House of Commons was appointed by the House of Commons on 20 July 2009 to consider and report on four specified matters. ‘Rebuilding the House’ (HC 1117) examines the appointment of members and chairmen of select committees; the appointment of the Chairman and Deputy Chairmen of Ways and Means; scheduling business in the House; and enabling the public to initiate debates and proceedings in the House and closely connected matters.
The future of Scottish devolution considered
'Scotland's Future in the United Kingdom’ (Cm. 7738) sets out the Government's plans for the next stage of devolution in Scotland, ten years on. It places particular emphasis on strengthening the financial accountability of the Scottish Parliament and responds primarily to the Commission on Scottish Devolution's report presented in June 2009.
House of Lords undergo financial support review
In 'Review of Financial Support for Members of the House of Lords, Report No. 71 (Cm. 7746)' the Review Body on Senior Salaries was asked to review the system of financial support for Members of the House of Lords as it is currently constituted, pending more fundamental review. Focus would be paid to clarity and transparency, public acceptability, value for money and the geographical diversity of the House, among other factors.
Many Peers give up time and other earnings opportunities to work, unsalaried, in the House of Lords and they deserve a contribution to income as well as repayment of expenses necessarily incurred in carrying out their Parliamentary duties.
Queen's Speech outlines 2009-10 legislative plans
The Queen's Speech, officially known as 'Her Majesty's Most Gracious Speech to Both Houses of Parliament - Delivered on Wednesday, 18 November 2009 (Cm. Unnumbered)', outlines the Government's legislative programme for the 2009-10 session of Parliament.
New Bills receive Royal Assent
On 12 November 2009 a total of 13 Bills along with an item of secondary legislation received Royal Assent. These will be the last bills to be enacted in the 2008-09 parliamentary session.
Concern over European financial regulation reforms
In September 2009 the European Commission published its detailed legislative proposals for European reform. 'The Committee's Opinion on Proposals for European Financial Supervision (HC 1088)' reports on this proposed financial regulation and outlines a number of concerns.
National Skills Strategy announced
Our economic recovery and long term prosperity depends on people who are not only highly skilled but also appropriately skilled for the changing economy. Skills policy must therefore be based on the twin objectives of wider and more flexible access to skills training. Greater focus should be placed on the evolving nature of the skills required for the modern world.
Immigration Law to be consolidated and repealed
'Simplifying Immigration Law (Cm. 7730)', outlines the Government's intentions to simplify immigration law. Recent legislative changes have supported the policy, process and organisation changes the Government has put in place, but there is a need for a wider reform of the legal framework for immigration. The 'Draft Immigration Bill (Cm. 7666)', (ISBN 9780101766623) sets out the detailed proposals.
Oversight of the Post Office Network Change Programme
examined
The report, 'Oversight of the Post Office Network Change Programme (HC 832)' finds that in 2007, the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) and Post Office Ltd agreed a £1.7 billion strategy to make the network financially sustainable, including a £150 million annual subsidy. One element of this plan was the Network Change Programme whereby up to 2,500 post office branches were to be closed.
The Programme was expected initially to cost £176 million, mainly in compensation to sub-postmasters. Annual savings of £45 million were forecast but the Programme was expected to generate a £17 million loss in the 2006-07 to 2010-11 period of the strategic plan.
Maintenance of the Prison estate in England and Wales costs examined
‘National Offender Management service: Maintenance of the Prison Estate in England and Wales (HC 722)’, reports that in 2007-08, the Service spent around £320 million maintaining the prison estate, down from £330 million in 2005-06.
This Report from the Public Accounts Committee finds that the National Offender Management Service NOMS has obtained good value for money from its expenditure, with prisons kept sufficiently well to maintain physical security, ensure prisoner and staff safety and maintain prison capacity despite a rising prisoner population. However, there is still plenty of scope for NOMS to improve its performance and its longer term management of the estate.
MPs’ Expenses and Allowances proposals for reform announced
‘MPs’ Expenses and Allowances: Supporting Parliament, Safeguarding the Taxpayer (Cm.7724) Twelfth Report' makes proposals for the reform of the regime for meeting the costs which Members of Parliament incur as a result of performing the roles for which they are elected.
In this publication, the Committee welcomes the recent public availability of expenses claims, the proposed Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority and the future external audit of expenses expenditures, and makes recommendations to improve their effectiveness.
The National Offender Management Information System costs examined
‘The National Offender Management Information System (HC 510)’, examines the C-NOMIS project which is intended to deliver a single offender management IT system across prison and probation services, initially envisaged by the Home Office for delivery in January 2008 for £234 million. It was stopped in August 2007 because costs had trebled.
The NOMIS programme was revised and scaled back to three offender databases for £513 million with delivery by 2011. The original concept was ambitious but still technically feasible.