PQs: 25 January 2024

https://www.theyworkforyou.com/lords/?d=2024-01-25

House of Lords debates

Thursday, 25 January 2024

Baroness Watkins of Tavistock Deputy Chairman of Committes 12:48, 25 January 2024

[…] It is necessary to think seriously about access to interpreters on a 24-hour rota system, so that women who are unable to speak or understand English because it is not their first language can be assisted in communicating with the staff caring for them. We have situations in some areas in which it is impossible to get an interpreter. That makes the situation really difficult, both for the midwives and for the mother. One cannot always rely ad hoc on a relation interpreting what is really going on. Can the Minister comment on how access to interpreters is monitored within the NHS and, if this is not being undertaken, can he ask the Government to make provision to do so? I have been informed that this is particularly important in genetic counselling in families from cultures that are different from those of the midwives involved. […]

Lord Allan of Hallam Liberal Democrat Lords Spokesperson (Health) 1:51, 25 January 2024

[…] Self-help access to information about your own care is critical; it can also be a benefit with language issues, as providing translation and interpretation at scale can often be done more effectively when enabled by technology than if you are reliant on getting somebody with a particular language to a particular location at a certain time. […]

PQs: 18 January 2024

https://www.theyworkforyou.com/wrans/?id=2024-01-11.9196.h

Home Office: Interpreters

Home Office written question – answered at on 18 January 2024.

Theresa Villiers Conservative, Chipping Barnet

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of awarding a pay rise to interpreters working for the Home Office.

Tom Pursglove Minister of State (Minister for Legal Migration and Delivery)

Interpreters are not Home Office employees and undertake freelance work commissioned by the Home Office through contracts for services.

As with other requirements, the Home Office works with specialist suppliers to ensure contracted services are cost effective, and delivered to a high standard, with in-built quality measures. These contracts are regularly reviewed.

The Home Office keeps our costs under constant review, working alongside other government departments, suppliers and representation bodies to promote sustainable and affordable rates.

Legal action launched against translation firm providing services for the police and Somerset Council

https://www.wsfp.co.uk/news/legal-action-launched-against-translation-firm-providing-services-for-the-police-and-somerset-council-659957

11^th January 2024

Legal action launched against translation firm providing services for the police and Somerset Council

Translators providing services for Avon and Somerset Police have launched legal action against their employer, DA Languages, alleging they are being 'denied workplace rights.'

At present, translators working for DA Languages, are treated as self-employed contractors, but Leigh Day, a legal firm acting on their behalf, is arguing they should be classed as employees and afforded the appropriate rights which accompany employment.

In a statement a spokesperson for the law firm said: "DA Languages has previously advertised that it has a database of 5,000 Mother Tongue interpreters and translators. Leigh Day says they could all be eligible to join this group action.

"The Manchester-based company works with more than 40 local authorities across the UK and several central government bodies including the Department of Work and Pensions.  If the claims against DA Languages are successful, Leigh Day estimates that a claimant who has worked full-time for two years could be entitled to more than £10,000 in compensation.

"not given access to a solicitor or interpreter"

https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/crime/2024/01/11/intoxicated-oswestry-man-headbutted-police-officer-who-was-trying-to-help-him/

11^th January 2024

[…] Kate Cooper, representing Orlowski, said her client had been confused by what was happening because of language problems and did not realise the emergency services were simply trying to help him.

She said he had leant forward towards the officer and caught him on the head.

When he was taken to the police station he was not given access to a solicitor or interpreter, something that was currently the subject of a complaint, she said. […]