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1149727

	registered interest
	date	14/10/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	hansard heading	thebigword
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government when the contract with thebigword to provide interpreting and translation services in the criminal justice system will be reviewed.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Coussins
	uin	HL20
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/10/2019 answer text <p>The Language Services contracts commenced on 31 October 2016, with thebigword appointed as providers of spoken face to face, telephone and video interpretation as well as translation and transcription services.</p><p> </p><p>The initial term of the contracts is four years with up to three one-year extensions available.</p><p> </p><p>The initial term of the contracts with thebigword is due to expire on 30th October 2020. The first option to extend for one-year has been agreed for translation and transcription services, and has also been approved for spoken face to face, telephone and video interpretation services.</p><p> </p><p>The future of the contract, including the possibility of further extensions, is currently being considered.</p> answering member printed Lord Keen of Elie question first answered 21/10/2019 15:27:36 answering member 4538 label Biography information for Lord Keen of Elie
	tabling member	3829 label Biography information for Baroness Coussins

1327251

	registered interest
	date	24/05/2021
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	hansard heading	Ministry of Justice: Interpreters
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to increase the (1) qualifications, and (2) experience, required for interpreters to be listed on the Ministry of Justice register to the same levels as interpreters joining the National Register of Public Service Interpreters.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Coussins
	uin	HL476
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/06/2021 answer text <p>The Ministry of Justice is committed to ensuring the justice system is supported by a suite of high- quality language service contracts, that meet the needs of all those that require them.</p><p>The contracts have a clearly defined list of qualifications, skills, experience and vetting requirements interpreters must meet, which have been designed to meet the needs of the justice system. These are</p><p>set out in our contracts, which can be found at the following link:</p><p><a href="https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/975cb99e-fec6-430f-8f31-fd532a907137?p=@=UFQxblRRPT0=NjJNT08" target="_blank">https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/975cb99e-fec6-430f-8f31-fd532a907137?p=@=UFQxblRRPT0=NjJNT08</a></p><p>Our qualification and experience requirements and associated quality assurance arrangements provided by The Language Shop (TLS), have been carefully considered and have been designed so as to maintain the quality of interpretation provided under the contract, meet the demands and requirements of the Ministry and other contract users and encourage new entrants to the profession.</p><p>The Ministry of Justice will shortly be undertaking work to develop the next generation of Language Services contracts.</p><p>For the period 01/01/2019 – 21/05/2021, 169 language professionals have been removed and 40 language professionals have been sanctioned as a result of a Spot Check or In-Person Assessment.</p><p>The required standard comprises a number of different elements</p><p>All interpreters are required to meet the qualification requirements set out in the contract between the MoJ and the language service supplier. The requirements vary depending on the complexity of the bookings and the language in question. The specific requirement in each case is set out here: <a href="https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/975cb99e-fec6-430f-8f31-fd532a907137?p=@=UFQxblRRPT0=NjJNT08" target="_blank">https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/975cb99e-fec6-430f-8f31-fd532a907137?p=@=UFQxblRRPT0=NjJNT08</a></p><p>TLS review the qualifications at the point of carrying out an assessment of an interpreter and will remove the interpreter if the supplier fails to demonstrate that they hold the correct qualifications.</p><p>All interpreters are required to comply with the MoJ code of conduct at all times. Any serious breach of the code of conduct, observed through an assessment by TLS or identified and confirmed through a complaint investigation, will result in removal from the register.</p><p>Interpreters also have to demonstrate competence in language proficiency, interpreting/professional skills, and subject matter knowledge. Interpreters are regularly assessed to ensure their interpreting meets the requirements of the assignment, being observed across each of the three competencies.</p> answering member printed Lord Wolfson of Tredegar grouped question UIN HL477 HL478 question first answered 08/06/2021 14:52:30 answering member 4901 label Biography information for Lord Wolfson of Tredegar
	tabling member	3829 label Biography information for Baroness Coussins

1327252

	registered interest
	date	24/05/2021
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	hansard heading	Ministry of Justice: Interpreters
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government how many interpreters registered with the Ministry of Justice have been (1) removed from the register, or (2) otherwise sanctioned, as a result of the spot checks and in-person assessments carried out from 1 January 2019 by the quality assurance provider The Language Shop.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Coussins
	uin	HL477
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/06/2021 answer text <p>The Ministry of Justice is committed to ensuring the justice system is supported by a suite of high- quality language service contracts, that meet the needs of all those that require them.</p><p>The contracts have a clearly defined list of qualifications, skills, experience and vetting requirements interpreters must meet, which have been designed to meet the needs of the justice system. These are</p><p>set out in our contracts, which can be found at the following link:</p><p><a href="https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/975cb99e-fec6-430f-8f31-fd532a907137?p=@=UFQxblRRPT0=NjJNT08" target="_blank">https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/975cb99e-fec6-430f-8f31-fd532a907137?p=@=UFQxblRRPT0=NjJNT08</a></p><p>Our qualification and experience requirements and associated quality assurance arrangements provided by The Language Shop (TLS), have been carefully considered and have been designed so as to maintain the quality of interpretation provided under the contract, meet the demands and requirements of the Ministry and other contract users and encourage new entrants to the profession.</p><p>The Ministry of Justice will shortly be undertaking work to develop the next generation of Language Services contracts.</p><p>For the period 01/01/2019 – 21/05/2021, 169 language professionals have been removed and 40 language professionals have been sanctioned as a result of a Spot Check or In-Person Assessment.</p><p>The required standard comprises a number of different elements</p><p>All interpreters are required to meet the qualification requirements set out in the contract between the MoJ and the language service supplier. The requirements vary depending on the complexity of the bookings and the language in question. The specific requirement in each case is set out here: <a href="https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/975cb99e-fec6-430f-8f31-fd532a907137?p=@=UFQxblRRPT0=NjJNT08" target="_blank">https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/975cb99e-fec6-430f-8f31-fd532a907137?p=@=UFQxblRRPT0=NjJNT08</a></p><p>TLS review the qualifications at the point of carrying out an assessment of an interpreter and will remove the interpreter if the supplier fails to demonstrate that they hold the correct qualifications.</p><p>All interpreters are required to comply with the MoJ code of conduct at all times. Any serious breach of the code of conduct, observed through an assessment by TLS or identified and confirmed through a complaint investigation, will result in removal from the register.</p><p>Interpreters also have to demonstrate competence in language proficiency, interpreting/professional skills, and subject matter knowledge. Interpreters are regularly assessed to ensure their interpreting meets the requirements of the assignment, being observed across each of the three competencies.</p> answering member printed Lord Wolfson of Tredegar grouped question UIN HL476 HL478 question first answered 08/06/2021 14:52:30 answering member 4901 label Biography information for Lord Wolfson of Tredegar
	tabling member	3829 label Biography information for Baroness Coussins

1358886

	registered interest
	date	12/10/2021
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	hansard heading	Interpreters: Courts and Tribunals
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government how often each year between 2017 and 2020 interpreters were used in courts or tribunals in each of the following case categories, as specified by the Ministry of Justice's language services contract: (1) complex written, (2) complex, and (3) standard.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Coussins
	uin	HL3003
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/10/2021 answer text <p>A table with the answer to the question is below:</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><p>HMCTS - Volume By Complexity &amp; Calendar Year</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Year</p></td><td><p>Complexity</p></td><td><p>Volume</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2017</p></td><td><p>Standard</p></td><td><p>25,899</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2017</p></td><td><p>Complex</p></td><td><p>104,382</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2017</p></td><td><p>Complex Written</p></td><td><p>3,766</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2018</p></td><td><p>Standard</p></td><td><p>26,230</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2018</p></td><td><p>Complex</p></td><td><p>101,539</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2018</p></td><td><p>Complex Written</p></td><td><p>4,125</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2019</p></td><td><p>Standard</p></td><td><p>27,520</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2019</p></td><td><p>Complex</p></td><td><p>100,720</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2019</p></td><td><p>Complex Written</p></td><td><p>5,687</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2020</p></td><td><p>Standard</p></td><td><p>27,113</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2020</p></td><td><p>Complex</p></td><td><p>69,058</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2020</p></td><td><p>Complex Written</p></td><td><p>4,046</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p>Please note this data includes fulfilled Face to Face bookings only due to the enquiry referring to instances where HMCTS has ‘engaged individuals’</p> answering member printed Lord Wolfson of Tredegar question first answered 27/10/2021 16:37:10 answering member 4901 label Biography information for Lord Wolfson of Tredegar
	tabling member	3829 label Biography information for Baroness Coussins

1542047

	registered interest
	date	14/11/2022
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	hansard heading	HM Courts and Tribunals Service: Interpreters
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government whether the full independent review of qualifications and standards for court and tribunal spoken word interpreters, announced by Lord Wolfson of Tredegar on 12 January (HL Deb, col 1151), has been completed; and if so, when it will be published.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Coussins
	uin	HL3341
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/11/2022 answer text <p>This review is ongoing alongside a wider and comprehensive review of language service requirements which is currently being undertaken within my Department. We will, of course, publish the outcome of that review once it is complete.</p> answering member printed Lord Bellamy question first answered 21/11/2022 16:38:16 answering member 4941 label Biography information for Lord Bellamy
	tabling member	3829 label Biography information for Baroness Coussins

1542048

	registered interest
	date	14/11/2022
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	hansard heading	HM Courts and Tribunals Service: Interpreters
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government when the invitation to tender for the new contract for provision of court and tribunal spoken word interpreters will be issued.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Coussins
	uin	HL3342
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/11/2022 answer text <p>The Ministry of Justice has been assessing options for tendering the new contract for provision of spoken word interpreters. Our plans remain commercial in confidence at this time. Information will be published to the market in due course.</p> answering member printed Lord Bellamy question first answered 23/11/2022 12:53:50 answering member 4941 label Biography information for Lord Bellamy
	tabling member	3829 label Biography information for Baroness Coussins

1648999

	registered interest
	date	29/06/2023
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	hansard heading	HM Courts and Tribunals Service: Interpreters
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government when the independent review of qualifications and experience required of spoken language interpreters in HM Courts and Tribunals Service will be completed; and when it will be published.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Coussins
	uin	HL8908
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/07/2023 answer text <p>The review of qualifications and experience has been completed by an independent expert. We are considering its findings as part of a wider review of service requirements currently being undertaken within the Ministry of Justice, which is helping inform the development of new tender specifications. This is a complex process and covers a wide range of agencies within MoJ. Because this is linked with the ongoing language services procurement and invitation to tender work it is unlikely anything will be published before 2024. We will, of course, publish the outcome of the review once it is complete.</p> answering member printed Lord Bellamy question first answered 13/07/2023 11:29:06 answering member 4941 label Biography information for Lord Bellamy
	tabling member	3829 label Biography information for Baroness Coussins

1649000

	registered interest
	date	29/06/2023
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	hansard heading	HM Courts and Tribunals Service: Interpreters
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government when the invitation to tender for the next contract to provide spoken word translation and interpretation services for HM Courts and Tribunals Service will be issued.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Coussins
	uin	HL8909
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/07/2023 answer text <p>The Ministry of Justice’s invitation to tender for the new spoken word services contract is expected to be published in 2024. The MoJ is currently assessing requirements for the new contract, which are complex, as it supports multiple agencies within the department. Timescales for the tender publication will be refined after this.</p> answering member printed Lord Bellamy question first answered 12/07/2023 13:23:19 answering member 4941 label Biography information for Lord Bellamy
	tabling member	3829 label Biography information for Baroness Coussins

1649001

	registered interest
	date	29/06/2023
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	hansard heading	HM Courts and Tribunals Service: Interpreters
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to improve the supply chain of spoken word interpreters for HM Courts and Tribunals Service.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Coussins
	uin	HL8910
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/07/2023 answer text <p>The Ministry of Justice and HMCTS engage regularly with commissioning bodies, educational institutions, and external stakeholder working groups, including language professional membership organisations, regarding the routes available to those wanting to become interpreters working within the justice system. We are also engaging with the market in advance of the upcoming tender for interpreter services.</p> answering member printed Lord Bellamy question first answered 12/07/2023 13:23:42 answering member 4941 label Biography information for Lord Bellamy
	tabling member	3829 label Biography information for Baroness Coussins

1327253

	registered interest
	date	24/05/2021
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	hansard heading	Courts: Interpreters
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the remarks by Baroness Williams of Trafford on 18 May (HL Deb, col 558) that interpreters "will be removed from the register if they fail to reach the required standard", what are the detailed components of "the required standard".
	tabling member printed	Baroness Coussins
	uin	HL478
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/06/2021 answer text <p>The Ministry of Justice is committed to ensuring the justice system is supported by a suite of high- quality language service contracts, that meet the needs of all those that require them.</p><p>The contracts have a clearly defined list of qualifications, skills, experience and vetting requirements interpreters must meet, which have been designed to meet the needs of the justice system. These are</p><p>set out in our contracts, which can be found at the following link:</p><p><a href="https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/975cb99e-fec6-430f-8f31-fd532a907137?p=@=UFQxblRRPT0=NjJNT08" target="_blank">https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/975cb99e-fec6-430f-8f31-fd532a907137?p=@=UFQxblRRPT0=NjJNT08</a></p><p>Our qualification and experience requirements and associated quality assurance arrangements provided by The Language Shop (TLS), have been carefully considered and have been designed so as to maintain the quality of interpretation provided under the contract, meet the demands and requirements of the Ministry and other contract users and encourage new entrants to the profession.</p><p>The Ministry of Justice will shortly be undertaking work to develop the next generation of Language Services contracts.</p><p>For the period 01/01/2019 – 21/05/2021, 169 language professionals have been removed and 40 language professionals have been sanctioned as a result of a Spot Check or In-Person Assessment.</p><p>The required standard comprises a number of different elements</p><p>All interpreters are required to meet the qualification requirements set out in the contract between the MoJ and the language service supplier. The requirements vary depending on the complexity of the bookings and the language in question. The specific requirement in each case is set out here: <a href="https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/975cb99e-fec6-430f-8f31-fd532a907137?p=@=UFQxblRRPT0=NjJNT08" target="_blank">https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/975cb99e-fec6-430f-8f31-fd532a907137?p=@=UFQxblRRPT0=NjJNT08</a></p><p>TLS review the qualifications at the point of carrying out an assessment of an interpreter and will remove the interpreter if the supplier fails to demonstrate that they hold the correct qualifications.</p><p>All interpreters are required to comply with the MoJ code of conduct at all times. Any serious breach of the code of conduct, observed through an assessment by TLS or identified and confirmed through a complaint investigation, will result in removal from the register.</p><p>Interpreters also have to demonstrate competence in language proficiency, interpreting/professional skills, and subject matter knowledge. Interpreters are regularly assessed to ensure their interpreting meets the requirements of the assignment, being observed across each of the three competencies.</p> answering member printed Lord Wolfson of Tredegar grouped question UIN HL476 HL477 question first answered 08/06/2021 14:52:30 answering member 4901 label Biography information for Lord Wolfson of Tredegar
	tabling member	3829 label Biography information for Baroness Coussins