Newsletter

Lack of educational skills makes them ‘un-employable’ when they leave prison – Recent findings show no prison was rated outstanding for its education & training provision in the last 4 years.  Only 35% were judged to be good.

Matthew Coffey, Ofsted’s National Director of Further Education & Skills said recently:  'This year’s Annual Lecture aims to focus on how we can reduce the stubbornly high re-offending rates that are nearly 50% for adult prisoners and 72% for juveniles.  If these figures related to our schools there would be a national outcry. The aim is to reduce the number of re-offenders by focusing on rehabilitation in prisons through better employer engagement and better teaching and training……

Every prisoner costs the taxpayer the same as sending a child to Eton, around £34,000 per year.  We must now focus on improvement of prisoners’ vocational and employability skills to ensure we support them on their journey out of prison and into employment to break the cycle of re-offending.'
Press release & links ~ Thousands of students drop English & maths after GCSE ~ Skills Minister writes to councils over teen participation concerns ~ Offender management in prisons - opportunities to reform being missed ~ CBI comments on day one referral of ex-offenders onto the Work Programme ~ Prisons failing to educate young offenders, warns CSJ ~ Minister sees benefits of Invisible Walls ~ Making Prisons Work: Skills for Rehabilitation ~ BIS:  Recruiting ex-service personnel to teach in poorly performing schools may not be such a ‘wild’ idea after all ~ Bars to Learning: Practical Challenges to the 'Working Prison' ~ Breaking the Cycle: Effective Punishment, Rehabilitation & Sentencing of Offenders ~ ScotGov: Reducing crime through learning & skills PR ~ Offender Learning: Options for Improvement publication ~ Scottish Government Response to Offender Learning: Options for Improvement ~ Reducing Re-offending in Scotland  ~ Reducing Offending by young people ~ NAO: Managing offenders on short custodial sentences ~ Offender Learning & Skills Service (OLASS) ~ EDM - Communication Difficulties & Young Offenders ~ BBC NEWS - Communication skills 'cut re-offending'

Time we cared more for young carers - The government has tabled an amendment to the Children and Families Bill to help improve services for young carers.  Children & young people who care for family members are to benefit from a full assessment of their support needs so they receive help & assistance to experience the same opportunities as their friends.

The government has tabled an amendment to the Bill - currently making its way through Parliament - which will help improve services for young carers by:

* extending the right to an assessment of support needs to all young carers under the age of 18
* supporting LAs to combine the assessment of a young carer with an assessment of the person they care for - providing a co-ordinated & rounded package of support for the whole family
* simplifying the law relating to young carers - making their rights & duties clearer to both young people & professionals
Press release & links ~ New legislation planned for Scotland’s carers ~ Caring for our Carers ~ Big Lottery Fund Scotland’s £20m helping hand for Scottish carers ~ Over £200,000 to help young Scots fulfil their potential ~ Greater focus on prevention & integration essential to improve Care & Support Bill, warn Peers and MPs ~ Cash for short breaks ~ YC Net ~ NHS Choices:  Being a young carer ~ Barnardo’s:  Young carers ~ Children’s Society:  Include programme ~ Family Action ~ Children in Wales ~ Young Carers toolkit

Defence of a Scottish Realm – The analysis paper on Defence, highlights the extent to which an independent would no longer benefit from the £34bn billion annual defence budget, one of the largest in the world.  The complex & integrated nature of the ’s defence capabilities mean that an independent would have real difficulties trying to replicate a similar, but smaller, force from scratch.
Press release & Links ~  RUSI Expert Comments on Ministry of Defence's Scotland paper ~ Nuclear-free defence forces will save Scottish taxpayers almost £1bn ~ Defence implications of possible Scottish independence ~ First Minister sets out vision on defence ~ UK Government publishes list of UK public bodies that serve Scotland ~ RUSI:  A' the Blue Bonnets: Defending an Independent Scotland ~ Site search of RUSI for additional documents ~ CH:  The Foreign Policy Implications of and for a Separate Scotland ~ CH:  Scotland the new brave world

Left at the starting gate of the race for a good education - Poor children who are behind in the so-called three Rs at the age of 7 already have their life chances virtually determined.  In a new report entitled ‘Too Young to Fail’, the Save the Children charity said being behind at reading, writing & arithmetic at such a young age could prejudice a child’s future earnings and health. 

20%+ of children born poor in England, who are behind at 7 years old, will have less than a 1 in 6 chance of getting five good GCSEs through no fault of their own, the charity added.   The charity says there has to be more focus & investment on 5 to 7-year-olds, not just because of the individual tragedy of wasted lives, but because failing to help the poorest primary-age children could cost the UK economy £30bn in untapped potential by 2030.
Press release & links ~ CBI comments on Save the Children report ~ DfE:  Time for the education system to start educating all children in the basics ~ New tests show 1 in 4 struggling with spelling, punctuation and grammar ~ Raising ambitions and standards for primary schools ~ Minister launches Wales’ £7m National Support Programme for the literacy & numeracy framework

The existing NHS is no longer ‘fit for purpose’ - Explaining to the public why the NHS needs to redesign services can be tricky, but a new NHS Confederation animation aims to 'set the record straight' and help the public, NHS and politicians have more conversations about how local services are provided.

The new animation illustrates why the NHS needs to adapt and what changes will mean for patient care.  It follows a joint call by the Confederation, Academy of Medical Royal Colleges and National Voices for more meaningful engagement with the public, patients, politicians and health professionals in proactive, well-planned service changes.
Press release & links ~ NHS Confed:  Task group recommends 'central role' for community pharmacy ~ Monitor:  Integrated care is the only way we will be even barely able to afford future care demands (6^th item) ~ TKF:  Time for a new model NHS? (6^th item)

Timely TSB funding competition will help offset even higher energy prices of the future - The Technology Strategy Board and the Research Councils' UK Energy Programme are to invest up to £4m in collaborative R&D to stimulate innovation in the field of energy management for existing buildings.  The aim of this competition is to advance significantly the capabilities of businesses so that they can capture a greater share of growing and global markets.

This is a 2-stage competition and applicants must register by noon on 20 November 2013.  The deadline for expressions of interest is at noon on 27 November 2013.  A briefing event for potential applicants will be held in London on 23 October 2013.
Press release & links

DFID warns that ‘Christmas has not come early’ - DFID have been alerted to a potential scam either originating in, or targeting & . Please do not respond to any correspondence you may receive from Justine Greening or Alan Duncan offering you or your organisation funding from the Department for International Development (DFID).  DFID do not provide funding or grants in this way.
Press release & links

Last chance to comment - The Department of Health is asking people to answer questions about dementia research ahead of the G8 dementia summit on 11 December 2013.  The summit, which will be held in London , will look at how the G8 can lead efforts to prevent, delay and effectively treat dementia.  Have your say on improving dementia research across the world on the Dementia Challenge site.  Comments close on 15 October 2013.
Press release & links

Do you know someone who has achieved something special in Wales? - The First Minister, Carwyn Jones has called for people from across North Wales to recommend someone they feel deserves recognition for their outstanding achievements.  The St David Awards scheme is unique to and recognises the achievements of people from all walks of life, regardless of their origin or background.  Nominations are open until the 5 November 2013.
Press release & links ~ St David Awards website

Latest Paper: Critical Factors for Success of the Government’s ICT strategy - The Efficiency and Reform Group (ERG) at the Cabinet Office is leading the drive to radically change the way that the public sector buys and uses information and communications technologies. In particular, the new agenda is about smaller, more manageable projects, using cloud computing whenever appropriate, reusing software solutions where possible, and engaging with SMEs to deliver such solutions in a way that is more innovative, more responsive and more cost-effective.

With deficit reduction policies and budget restrictions set to continue for the foreseeable future, there is a strategic imperative to reduce costs and bureaucracy while at the same time improve services to citizens with a more “joined-up” government experience.

This latest paper explores how effective collaboration within and between central government departments, local authorities and other public bodies can help realise these goals by reducing operational costs and improving engagement between staff, citizens and third parties.

Click here to find out more and download your free copy of this latest White Paper.

 

Please note that previously published newsletters can be accessed from the Newsletter Archive

Tax statistics

Skills Funding Agency statement on Elmfield Training Limited

Fiscal Commission comment on UK tax system
 
Plans for new out-of-hours delivery trials and wider freight legacy unveiled by TfL

UNESCO Memory of the World Register - nominations open  - (The deadline for nominations is Friday 17 January 2014)

Launch of review into DVLA to deliver better services
 
The Higgs particle that captivated a nation helps bag the UK a Nobel Prize – (David Willetts: Response to Nobel Prize)

Foreign Office launches recruitment campaign at top universities

First Nations delegation visits The National Archives

The National Archives are seeking new delegates for the User Advisory Group

The Space aims to re-launch in Spring/Summer 2014

Badger cull - piloting controls on bovine TB – (Badger cull extension application in Somerset)

New ministerial team unveiled – (IfG statement on departmental stability post 2013 reshuffle)

LGA - Councils could lose right to campaign for their residents

Socitm-led initiative eases PSN connection task

Equitable Life Payments Scheme extended

Ofcom confirms plan to safeguard supply of telephone numbers

Unite to oppose plans by Hull council to sack its entire 6,700 workforce – (Unite: Blood testing staff in Leeds and Bradford in new strike ballot over patient safety)

Better buses for English regions

NHS Confed:  Patients to benefit from new cross-Europe movement rules

NEF - How the Oxfam Humankind Index is making measurement matter

Britain to join tech giants to drive down Internet prices in developing countries

New strategy to relentlessly disrupt serious & organised crime – (NCA arrests silk road suspects - NCA leads crackdown on identity fraud - Joint operation targets prison visitors - NCA presence at the Border)

Scotland will block NHS ‘pay grab’

Help for heating bills

Help to Buy: mortgage guarantee launches – (Help to Buy: equity loan scheme surging ahead - The Chancellor is helping sellers not first-time buyers with Help to Buy)

Improving access to new medicines

Winning young artists show their work

New maths qualifications to boost numbers studying maths to age 18 – (CBI comments on new maths qualification - Skills Minister writes to councils over teen participation concerns)

‘Delivering our priorities: A fair Budget for Wales’– Jane Hutt

The future of rail fares

‘Can-do’ councils leading transformation of local government

Government to overhaul UK payments system

Hajj Consular Delegation accompanies British pilgrims

Unscheduled Care

New initiative to support $40bn smart cities in the UK

Edward Davey statement on the SSE price increase

Government response to consultation on stake & prize limits for gaming machines published

Government responds to CCC and delivers record investment in energy infrastructure by 2020

Review of NHS staff engagement launched

Discovery Communications teams up with UK government to give girls an education

New quality standards for public health - NICE wants your views – (closes on 20 December 2013)

Form filling for companies ditched in red tape cut - (closes on 22 November 2013)

New curbs against councils’ rip off repair charges - (closes on 18 November 2013)

Views sought on boosting economic performance of the Teifi Valley – (closes on 23 October 2013)

Additional Consultations:  Readers should be aware that many consultations are never publicised with a press release, so do not appear in either the email alerts or Wired - GOV Plus.  Many of these consultations (& subsequent conclusions) can be found at the following links:
GOV.UK consultations ~ Current ScotGov consultations ~ Recently added WAG consultations

NHS Wales Chief Executive publishes his new Annual Report – NHS increasing its focus on quality & safety

Optimism surges in financial services sector

Cable – “Women on Boards stats promising” - (CBI responds to FTSE 100 women on boards data)

More than half of schools found to be failing pupils on religious education

CBI responds to OECD adult skills survey - (New report dispels myth that the UK is over-investing in high level skills ~ Thousands of students drop English and maths after GCSE)

DFID Research: Data trends and sustainable agriculture

Treasury Committee publishes report on the Spending Round 2013 – (October 2013 GDP estimates)Cheshire East Council fail to inform vulnerable man’s parents of care plan

Don't water down climate targets, Government warned

Tackling domestic abuse

Confidentiality clauses and special severance payments – follow up

Home care commissioning practices by local authorities must protect older people’s human rights

PAC publishes report on tackling tobacco smuggling

AS:  NHS in Scotland managed finances well in 2012/13 but there are growing signs of pressure

PX: Reforming public sector pay could create hundreds of thousands of new jobs across the country – (TUC blasts “divisive” call for public sector pay cuts)

Socitm briefing: reduce demand, don't just manage it efficiently

Chemical firm sentenced over Burscough explosion

Public contracts

UK set to host 2015 Global Law Summit

October Hillsborough investigation update

IPCC investigators serve notices on 9 officers from Metropolitan Police Service & Hertfordshire Constabulary

CC confirms Cineworld findings

CC paves way for new cement producer

Government to overhaul UK payments system

Lords urged to overturn Government adoption reform

New powers for tighter restrictions on sex offenders

Committee publishes report on Anti-social Behaviour, Crime & Policing Bill

IEA: Palm oil production could be key in solving rising food costs

EU co-legislators to start negotiating the Regulation aiming to reduce emissions of F-gases in the EU

The Commission welcomes agreement on global aviation emissions deal

Shale gas: new fracking projects must pass environmental test

Lithuania signed an international agreement on mercury on behalf of the EU ~ (MEPs ban cadmium from power tool batteries and mercury from button cells)

ICAO: Aviation Assembly conclusions

Parliament votes not to oppose Commission measures on flight time limitations

Council adopts the directive on the right of access to a lawyer – (Commission proposal to guarantee citizens’ rights to access a lawyer to become law ~ Completing the European area of Justice: Tell us what comes next)

European regions encouraged to offer SMEs vouchers of up to €10,000 to go digital

What future for banks in the EU? Tell us your views

EESC position on the EU tobacco review – (Tobacco: larger warnings, flavours banned, e-cigarettes regulated)

Deputy PM's speech on Britain & Europe – (Leaving EU would be disastrous for jobs and investment, says TUC ~ PM meeting with Herman van Rompuy)

Petitions: social issues, civil rights and environment top EU citizens' concerns

Council adopts the Schengen Governance legislative package

UNESCO-European Union: working together for change

Macky Sall: building peace & security is a priority for Africa and the EU

MEPs ask to improve rules for EU industry operating in China

Parliament calls for humanitarian conference on Syrian refugee crisis – (UK boosts education for Syrian refugee children)

Russia's ‘trade war’ against EU Presidency is unacceptable, say MEPs – (EU requests WTO panel with Russia over vehicle exports)

MEPs back new rules to make watercraft safer & greener

MEPs pave the way for greater professional mobility in the EU – (NHS Confederation Patients to benefit from new cross-Europe movement rules)

Human rights: persecution in Syria, Pakistan and Iran, censorship in Sudan, Iraq

European & World Day against the Death Penalty – EU underlines commitment to universal abolition – (World Day Against the Death Penalty)

Presidency will enter negotiations with European Parliament on EIB support to investment projects outside the EU

ECB and the People’s Bank of China establish a bilateral currency swap agreement

Royal College of Surgeons chair taskforce to review implementation of EU Working Time Directive in the NHS

US-led CIA rendition and secret detention programmes: impunity must end

Survey of adult skills highlights need to improve education & training

Malala Yousafzai - winner of the Sakharov Prize 2013

Telecoms ‘relevant markets’ expert advice received by Commission – suggests fewer markets should be regulated.

EU border surveillance: MEPs approve Eurosur operating rules – (Lampedusa tragedy: MEPs call for solidarity and EU policy for legal migration)

nef:  Will MEPs make the right decision? – (Parliament endorses controversial EU-Mauritania Fisheries Protocol)

Half a million great reasons for Clyde-siders (2014 gamestime volunteers) to smile as volunteer support pot opens for business

UK Grenadier Guards complete charity bike ride to Belgium

PM hosts reception for Pride of Britain award winners

From interactive online theatre to app development: 5 more awards made from the Digital R&D Fund for the Arts

Funding to rescue abused children from sex work

Government funds new mental health service for children & young people

DFID Funding Scam Alert

English Heritage to Mobilise Volunteer Heritage Army

CAB in first Universal Credit pilot area warns of ‘big problems down the line’ as many struggle with online forms – (Public think benefit cap claimants should work or move)

CAB - Price hike blow for stretched budgets – (CAB - Council Tax Benefit cuts forcing families “to choose between staying on the right side of the law or feed themselves”)

NEF - How the Oxfam Humankind Index is making measurement matter

Expiry of Software Application Solutions

Public contracts

Research call: official meat controls

Call for new research on food allergies

FSA publishes further beef product test results

Evidence gathering for determining Scotch beef authenticity by stable isotope ratio analysis

Form filling for companies ditched in red tape cut

£100m investment to give enterprise zones business edge

Deputy PM launches £300m regional growth pot

Business Secretary announces £25m boost for innovative small businesses

Physiotherapists & osteopaths among health professionals targeted in new tax campaign

Solar energy central to renewables expansion – (UK solar PV roadmap & the energy economy)

Government responds to CCC and delivers record investment in energy infrastructure by 2020

CC paves way for new cement producer

Supply chain innovation towards a circular economy

Funding Competition: Improving cell & tissue analysis for stratified medicine

Survey of adult skills highlights need to improve education and training

Ofcom confirms plan to safeguard supply of telephone numbers

£617.5m infrastructure boost to create 11,000 jobs and boost Welsh economy – Jane Hutt

CBI comments on Bank of England credit conditions data

Proposed licence fees for mobile spectrum

£186m boost for technologies of the future

West Midlands commissioning activity - joining the dots

Loan fund to turn farm waste to energy

One year on – workers say "We’re in" to pensions – (Improvements to automatic enrolment to help employers)

Revenue & Customs Brief 31/13
This Brief replaces Revenue & Customs Brief 30/13 – issued 10 October 2013 and gives interested parties more details about how the UK Government proposes to suspend certain exemptions, exclusions and reliefs contained within the aggregates levy.

UK food & drink companies set for export success

Funding Competition: Future Energy Management for Buildings

Protecting helicopters against hostile fire

PM welcomes Japan Airlines Airbus order

ESRC wins top accolade from UK businesses

CGI expands Scottish workforce

Finance Minister visits EU-backed Welsh supercomputing network powering business and academia

Loan fund to turn farm waste to energy

MOD orders more Starstreak missiles

UK set to host 2015 Global Law Summit

Ordnance Survey holds free OS OpenData masterclasses

CQC’s new Chief Inspector of Hospitals asks local people to tell him about the care provided by Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust

Broadband Connection Voucher Industry Days

Government to launch Challenger Businesses Programme

National Children & Adult Services (NCAS): countdown to conference