Category: Gov Press Releases

The government has announced today that it is consulting on new safeguards for the use of communications data.

A consultation, which will run for 7 weeks, is seeking views on amendments to the UK’s communications data and acquisition regime in response to a judgment handed down by the Court of Justice of the European Union in December 2016.

The proposed changes will introduce additional safeguards to ensure communications data can continue to be used to keep people safe from crime and terrorism while complying with the judgment.

Launching the consultation, Security Minister, Ben Wallace said:

Communications data is used in the vast majority of serious and organised crime prosecutions and has been used in every major Security Service counter-terrorism investigation over the last decade. Its importance cannot be overstated.

For example, it is often the only way to identify paedophiles involved in online child abuse and can be used to identify where and when these horrendous crimes have taken place.

As this is an issue of public importance, we consider it important to consult on our proposed changes to inform our legislative response and subsequent Parliamentary debate. All responses will be welcomed and carefully considered.

The new provisions include:

• the introduction of independent authorisation of communications data requests by a new body, known as the Office for Communications Data Authorisations, under the Investigatory Powers Commissioner Lord Justice Fulford
• restricting the use of communications data to investigations into serious crime
• additional safeguards which must be taken into account before a Data Retention Notice can be given to a telecommunications or postal operator
• clarification of the circumstances in which notification of those whose communications data has been accessed can occur
• mandatory guidance on the protection of retained data in line with European data protection standards

The communications data code of practice, which sets out how the safeguards governing the retention of communications data by telecommunications operators and its acquisition by public authorities will operate, is also being published today for consultation.

The government is clear that the December 2016 judgment does not apply to the retention or acquisition of data for national security purposes as national security is outside of the scope of EU law. Nevertheless, a number of the proposed changes will apply to certain national security applications for communications data to create a simpler, more practical regime.

Notes to editors:

Communications data is the ‘who’, ‘where’, ‘when’, ‘how’ and ‘with whom’ of a communication, but not what was written or said, and includes information such as the subscriber to a telephone service. It is an essential tool for the full range of law enforcement activity and national security investigations, for example to investigate crime, keep children safe, support or disprove alibis, and tie a suspect to a particular crime scene, amongst other things. It is used in 95 percent of serious and organised crime prosecution cases handled by the Crown Prosecution Service Organised Crime Division, and has been used in every major Security Service counter-terrorism investigation over the last decade.

The Investigatory Powers Act brings together and updates existing powers while radically overhauling how they are authorised and overseen. There is more information on GOV.UK.

The consultation is open for responses now and will close on 18 January 2018. The government proposes amending the IPA by secondary legislation made under section 2(2) of the European Communities Act 1972.

We have also published relevant case studies.

An ‘authorisation and supervision regime’ will ensure that tough new powers are in place to protect the 7 million members of master trust schemes, who have a combined £10 billion worth of assets invested. The changes will provide them with equivalent protection to members in other types of pension schemes.

Master trust schemes will be assessed against 5 key tests:

• persons involved in the master trust scheme are fit and proper
• that the scheme is financially sustainable
• that each scheme funder meets specific requirements in order to provide assurance about their financial situation (including through presenting a business strategy and full, audited accounts)
• the administrative and governance systems/processes used in running the scheme are sufficient
• the scheme has an adequate continuity strategy

Under these plans, consumer savings will be more secure with master trusts being required to meet strict criteria on all aspects of operations and governance.

Guy Opperman, Minister for Pensions and Financial Inclusion, said:

The majority of master trust pension schemes are operating well, but for too long these schemes have been subject to far less regulatory scrutiny than new contract-based providers.

Nobody’s savings should be less secure simply because of the pension chosen by their employer. That is why the new authorisation and supervision regime is a significant step forward in bringing master trust and other occupational schemes into line.

These strict new tests will ensure current and future master trusts are strong, safe and well placed for consumers and employers to invest their pension contributions.

The new regime will be administered by The Pensions Regulator. Under the new regime all current and prospective master trust schemes will need to apply for authorisation to operate in the market. The regulator will also have greater ongoing powers to work with, and if necessary, de-authorise master trusts where they are at risk of failing.

Master trusts will also have to demonstrate on an ongoing basis that they continue to meet the strict authorisation criteria, including demonstrating provisions to ensure member funds are protected in the event of a scheme needing to be wound up.

The master trust market has grown rapidly since 2012. There are currently 87 master trusts, which now represent 90% of savers who have been automatically enrolled into a workplace pension.

The announcement follows the passing of the Pension Scheme Act in April 2017, which introduced this regime proposal. It is expected that the new regulations will come into effect from October 2018.

More information

As a type of multi-employer pension scheme, master trusts have the potential to offer great advantages for members and employers, due to their scale, good governance and value for members.

The vast majority of employers have chosen to use a master trust pension scheme to meet their automatic enrolment obligations rather than set up and run their own workplace pension scheme. This has led to a considerable expansion of the master trust market.

It is estimated that around 11 million workers will either be newly saving or saving more into a workplace pension by 2018, generating around £20 billion in additional pension saving by 2019/20.

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‘Improving lives: the future of work, health and disability’ sets out how the government will work with employers, charities, healthcare providers and local authorities to break down employment barriers for disabled people and people with health conditions over the next 10 years. This will be delivered through in-work programmes, personalised financial and employment support, and specialist healthcare services to help more people go as far as their talents will take them.

The UK has near record high employment levels with over 32 million people in work, including 600,000 more disabled people in the last 4 years alone. However, ill health that keeps people out of work costs the economy an estimated £100 billion a year, including £7 billion in costs to the NHS. The government is committed to not only getting people into work, but helping them to remain and progress so they can reap the rewards of having a job.

The government announced today’s plans in response to its Work, health and disability green paper consultation which closed earlier this year and received around 6,000 responses from stakeholders and the public.

Work and Pensions Secretary David Gauke said:

Everyone should be able to go as far as their talents can take them, but for too long disabled people and people with health conditions have been held back from getting on in work.

Today we’ve set out an ambitious 10-year strategy to end this injustice once and for all. By bringing employers, the welfare system and health services together we’re taking significant steps to ensure everyone can reach their potential.

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said:

Mental ill health can affect anyone, from any walk of life at any time. For too long society has dictated that people with physical and mental health issues or a disability are a burden. Ensuring that more people with disabilities or long-term health conditions can get into and stay in work would not only enhance their lives, but actually enrich our economy too.

This strategy will help shape the future for hundreds of thousands of people with disabilities and mental health issues as we continue to tackle the stigma that so many people face when trying to get into and progress in work.

Two new employment trials will also be launched in the West Midlands and Sheffield City Region combined authorities to provide employment support. The government is also investing around £39 million to more than double the number of Employment Advisors in Improving Access to Psychological Therapies services.

Meanwhile, all 40 recommendations of the recent Stevenson/Farmer review of mental health and employers are to be taken forward by the government. This includes establishing a framework for large employers to voluntarily report on mental health and disability within their organisations. Employers are a central part of plans, and encouragingly over 5,000 companies of all sizes have now signed up to the Disability Confident scheme to promote disability inclusion.

Sarah Kaiser, Diversity and Inclusion lead at Disability Confident employer Fujitsu, said:

It is fantastic to see the government is committing to seeing more disabled people enter the workplace. Fujitsu has significantly benefited from being Disability Confident, giving us access to untapped pools of talent and enabling us to increase our retention of employees with disabilities.

We have also worked with our employees with disabilities to ensure our products and services become even more accessible, benefitting our customers too. This is not just the right thing for employees, but also significantly helps the employer.

Creating an environment where employees feel comfortable to be completely themselves and tell us if they have a disability allows us to put in place the right adjustments to properly enable them to do their work, whilst providing a working environment that emphasises support. This not only results in increased employee satisfaction but also performance, realising value for the organisation too.

Also announced today are the next steps for the Fit for Work service. Its assessment services will come to an end in England and Wales on 31 March 2018 and 31 May 2018 in Scotland, following low referral rates.

Employers, employees and GPs will continue to be able to use the same Fit for Work helpline, website and web chat, which offer general health and work advice as well as support on sickness absence. An ‘Expert Working Group on Occupational Health’ has been appointed to champion, shape and drive a programme of work to take an in-depth look at the sector.

In the last year, the government has taken decisive steps to support people with disabilities and health conditions, including:

• Introduced the Personal Support Package, which includes £330 million of funding over 4 years.

*Ending re-assessments for claimants with the most severe lifelong disabilities, illnesses or health conditions on Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and Universal Credit.

• Recruiting hundreds of additional Disability Employment Advisers and new Community Partners to bring specialist advice and support into the jobcentres.
• Introducing a new ‘Health and Work Conversation’ between people on ESA and their work coach, focusing on what they can do rather than what they cannot.
• Launching the Disability Confident Business Leaders Group, which helps to drive continued employer engagement through effective leadership and peer-to-peer support.
• A trial voluntary work experience programme for young people with limited capability for work. This will enable young people to benefit from time in the workplace with a mainstream employer to build their confidence and skills, enhance their CV and demonstrate their ability to perform a job role.
• Extending ‘Journey to Employment’ job clubs to 71 Jobcentre Plus areas with the highest number of people receiving ESA.

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UK Government Minister Guto Bebb will visit Llandrindod Wells today to help open the door to a mid-Wales growth deal

He will meet leading local authority figures, business people and representatives from the agricultural sector to encourage businesses to play a role in helping to grow the Mid Wales economy.

During the visit the Minister will say that the mid-Wales economy has tremendous potential for growth.

He will say that now is a key time for businesses and local authorities to come together and work with the UK and Welsh Governments to build a mid-Wales engine that can create jobs and opportunities across the region.

From research expertise at Aberystwyth University to global success stories such as Nidec Control Techniques, the region already has much in the way of innovation, skills and technology.

The Minister will say that the UK Government wants to work with companies and groups on the ground as they develop a bespoke deal that works for the whole of mid-Wales.

Last week the UK Government announced it would welcome proposals for a mid-Wales growth deal, as part of the Budget.

Speaking ahead of the visit, Guto Bebb said:

A mid-Wales growth deal would be the catalyst to revolutionise the way our towns and villages in mid-Wales govern themselves – shifting powers down from London and Cardiff to local leaders who are better placed to take decisions that affect their communities.

The development of a Midlands Engine across the border offers a unique chance to partner and develop a growth corridor stretching all the way from Aberystwyth to the Midlands.

With the launch of our Industrial Strategy, which includes opportunities for a growth deal for mid-Wales, there has never been a better time for businesses, local authorities and the agriculture sector to seize the opportunity to come together and build a strong vision for mid-Wales.

Powys County Council Leader Rosemarie Harris said:

Growth deals have the potential to re-shape the economic development of a region so I welcome the commitment for a growth deal for mid-Wales.

Any growth deal for mid-Wales could improve the transport infrastructure, digital connectivity and help to develop new job opportunities for the region. This would be of huge benefit to Powys and to Wales as a whole. We want to develop a thriving economy in Powys and a growth deal for Mid Wales will help us to achieve that.

Rebecca Williams, Director for Wales, Country Land and Business Association added:

We are pleased to welcome the Minister to the CLA meeting to hear his ideas on a mid-Wales growth deal. It is essential that this region is not left behind in terms of economic growth and the value and importance of the rural economy in this region is recognised and supported.

ENDS