Source · Select Committees · Justice Committee
Recommendation 2
2
Accepted
Paragraph: 19
Increase MoJ Crown Dependencies team staffing to manage workload and enable reciprocal placements.
Conclusion
The Ministry of Justice Crown Dependencies team has a substantial workload which is likely to increase in the coming years. We believe that the team is under pressure as a result and there is a risk that their work, which is currently extremely good, could suffer as a result. While we welcome the recruitment of a new grade seven official to the Crown Dependency team, the Ministry of Justice should increase staffing yet further to manage the increase in work associated with trade deals. This would also enable team officials to undertake regular work placements in Crown Dependency governments, with reciprocal arrangements in place enabling Crown Dependency officials to spend time in UK Government departments.
Government Response Summary
The government has introduced an additional Grade 7 official to the Crown Dependencies team, creating two sub-teams to manage workload, but stated any further staffing increases would depend on other priorities. They will also explore the feasibility of work placements for officials.
Paragraph Reference:
19
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
7. The Government is pleased that the Committee has recognised the quality of the work of the Crown Dependencies Team and agrees that the quality would be at risk if the team were under-resourced. 8. The Ministry of Justice has further considered the resource implications of the team’s workload, especially in relation to free trade agreements, and has introduced another Grade 7 to the team, in addition to the one already in post. 9. This has enabled us to create two sub teams, reporting to the Grade 6 head of team. Any further staffing increase will have to be judged in the context of other priorities. 10. We note the Committee’s suggestion that regular work placements between the Crown Dependencies and Government departments would be of mutual benefit. We will explore the feasibility of this idea with the Crown Dependencies and relevant Government departments.