Speeches by Cox.

“I agree; it is one of the challenges of our age.”

“Could you talk us through the post-PFI models and what you are looking at with your colleagues in the City?”

“My second question, which is for the whole panel, is about identifying and tracking reservists. What progress has been made on that to date, noting the SDR’s ambition to bring in a digitalised management system? Does the success of the Bill depend on that?”

“Vince, what is your assessment of the opt-in and opt-out options under the new arrangement? We have heard some discussion of it, but could you perhaps give us an academic overview from your research?”

“Can I push a bit more on that? You said that these cases are complex. What makes them specifically complex, and what is the DWP currently doing to deal with that?”

“Thank you for joining us this morning. What practical difference will the extended Covenant legal duty make to your Departments? I will ask Nick first, because yesterday we had a panel where the DWP was raised many times by our witnesses. How might the DWP change its practice as a result of the Covenant?”

“The Covenant is a cross-cutting strategy, and it is extended in that way. Similarly, the VAWG strategy, which came in just before Christmas, is trying to do the same thing. Are you already learning any lessons from trying to implement the VAWG strategy across Departments that can be carried across to this area?”

“My final question is about arm’s length bodies. Which ones that you currently collaborate with do you think will be most affected by the extended Covenant?”

“Can you describe how similar duties such as, for example, the public sector equality duty are already factored into decision making at the moment, and how that might be a model for what we will see going forward?”

“It would be helpful to the Committee, and certainly to me as a member, if we had a better understanding of the inconsistencies between the groups that you represent. The bigger question is how you think the Covenant will work to eliminate or eradicate inconsistencies, as far as is possible.”

“We have been talking about consistencies and inconsistencies. You have half-answered this already, but do you three meet regularly and swap tales of consistencies and inconsistencies? Are they logged somewhere in a handy table that the Committee might look at?”

“Many of our serving personnel and their families come from overseas, from outside the UK, and make a fantastic contribution. How do you think the extended Covenant will improve their experience of service life, veteran life and family life?”

“If we have a moment, Chair.”

“Thank you, gentlemen, for your time and all the work you do. One of the important aspects of this proposed revised Covenant is that the duty will extend across Whitehall Departments for the first time. How do you think the guidance issued by the Secretary of State on the legal duty should ensure consistent delivery of …”

“Colchester community champion Peter Dutch is campaigning to install bleed kits in schools to help tackle the scourge of knife crime. This week’s terrible incident at Kingsbury school underlines the absolute importance of that. Will the Leader of the House support my call for a debate about installing bleed kits in scho…”

“We know there has been a rise in those who are either employed or self-employed seeking free generalist or legal advice. Has much research been done around that?”

“Does that nationwide advice strategy in Wales cover corporate providers?”

“Lots of people go to their MPs; I’m sure we can all testify to that. Would anyone else like to add something on the changing shape of the mixed economy?”

“Do all those jurisdictions also have legal aid provision of the kind that we would recognise here, alongside their ILCA-type systems?”

“Is there a similar scheme in Wales?”