Christina Rees Shadow Minister (Justice):
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment she has made of the implications of her policies of research published by (a) Thompson Solicitors in August 2016 and (b) Which? magazine in September 2016 on alleged discrimination in car insurance premium costs on the grounds of race; how her response to her Department’s consultation on Reforming the Soft Tissue Injury (whiplash) Claims Process, published in November 2016, will take account of that evidence; and if she will make a statement.
Oliver Heald The Minister of State, Ministry of Justice:
The impact assessment published at the same time as the consultation document, on 17 November, sets out the evidence used to assess the impacts on people with protected characteristics. The consultation document sought further information on the potential impact of the proposed reforms, including impacts on those with protected characteristics. The Government is currently analysing the information submitted during the consultation period and will publish a revised impact assessment in due course.
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Christina Rees Shadow Minister (Justice):
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the evidential basis was for the potential effect of the proposals in her Department’s consultation on Reforming the Soft Tissue Injury (whiplash) Claims Process, published in November 2016, on people with protected characteristics.
Christina Rees Shadow Minister (Justice):
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment she has made of the implications of her policies of research published by (a) Thompson Solicitors in August 2016 and (b) Which? magazine in September 2016 on alleged discrimination in car insurance premium costs on the grounds of race; how her response to her Department’s consultation on Reforming the Soft Tissue Injury (whiplash) Claims Process, published in November 2016, will take account of that evidence; and if she will make a statement.
Oliver Heald The Minister of State, Ministry of Justice:
The impact assessment published at the same time as the consultation document, on 17 November, sets out the evidence used to assess the impacts on people with protected characteristics. The consultation document sought further information on the potential impact of the proposed reforms, including impacts on those with protected characteristics. The Government is currently analysing the information submitted during the consultation period and will publish a revised impact assessment in due course.
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Christina Rees Shadow Minister (Justice):
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if she will make an assessment of the implications for the effectiveness of her Department’s impact assessment which accompanied the consultation on Reforming the Soft Tissue Injury (whiplash) Claims Process, published in November 2016, of its lacking relevant data on seven protected characteristics.
Christina Rees Shadow Minister (Justice):
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the evidential basis was for the potential effect of the proposals in her Department’s consultation on Reforming the Soft Tissue Injury (whiplash) Claims Process, published in November 2016, on people with protected characteristics.
Christina Rees Shadow Minister (Justice):
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment she has made of the implications of her policies of research published by (a) Thompson Solicitors in August 2016 and (b) Which? magazine in September 2016 on alleged discrimination in car insurance premium costs on the grounds of race; how her response to her Department’s consultation on Reforming the Soft Tissue Injury (whiplash) Claims Process, published in November 2016, will take account of that evidence; and if she will make a statement.
Oliver Heald The Minister of State, Ministry of Justice:
The impact assessment published at the same time as the consultation document, on 17 November, sets out the evidence used to assess the impacts on people with protected characteristics. The consultation document sought further information on the potential impact of the proposed reforms, including impacts on those with protected characteristics. The Government is currently analysing the information submitted during the consultation period and will publish a revised impact assessment in due course.
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Christina Rees Shadow Minister (Justice):
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what plans she has for the future of the courts and tribunals estate in England and Wales; and if she will make a statement.
Oliver Heald The Minister of State, Ministry of Justice:
HM Courts & Tribunals Service keeps its operational estate under review to make sure that it aligns with the delivery of reformed court and tribunal services. Any new proposals to close courts will be subject to public consultation.
We are building a justice system which is simpler, swifter and more efficient. Our estate is a major asset, and in an increasingly digital world, we are looking at how we use our buildings to deliver the best possible service to our users now and in the future.
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Christina Rees Shadow Minister (Justice):
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what representations she has received on the banning of claims management companies from making cold calls for personal injury claims.
Oliver Heald The Minister of State, Ministry of Justice:
Claims management companies (CMCs) are already banned from introducing claims, or details of potential claims to solicitors if these have been obtained by an unsolicited approach by telephone or in person. The majority of unsolicited calls for personal injury claims are made by illegal unregulated businesses. Regulators are working together to tackle illegal activity where identified.
The government recently consulted on measures to reform the whiplash claims process, and sought feedback on whether any specific measures should be put in place in relation to CMCs operating in the personal injury sector. This important consultation closed on 6 January 2017. The Government has undertaken to publish its response to the consultation by 7 April.
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Christina Rees Shadow Minister (Justice):
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if she will assess the potential merits of banning claims management companies from making cold calls for personal injury claims.
Christina Rees Shadow Minister (Justice):
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what representations she has received on the banning of claims management companies from making cold calls for personal injury claims.
Oliver Heald The Minister of State, Ministry of Justice:
Claims management companies (CMCs) are already banned from introducing claims, or details of potential claims to solicitors if these have been obtained by an unsolicited approach by telephone or in person. The majority of unsolicited calls for personal injury claims are made by illegal unregulated businesses. Regulators are working together to tackle illegal activity where identified.
The government recently consulted on measures to reform the whiplash claims process, and sought feedback on whether any specific measures should be put in place in relation to CMCs operating in the personal injury sector. This important consultation closed on 6 January 2017. The Government has undertaken to publish its response to the consultation by 7 April.