WIREDGOV NEWSLETTER ARCHIVE

Achieving the ‘right’ balance is a continual problem

Further safeguards are required in the Counter Terrorism and Security Bill for some of the new measures proposed to plug gaps in the Government’s counter terrorism powers, says the Joint Committee on Human Rights in a new Report.  The Committee suggests a number of ways in which safeguards could be put in place, with regard to both the use of temporary exclusion orders and the seizure of passports.

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Justice must be seen to be done

New regulations, which stop police officers from resigning or retiring if they are subject to an allegation that could lead to dismissal, came into force on 12 January 2015.  Officers will be prevented from resigning or retiring until any case has concluded or has found that the officer will not face a dismissal hearing.

A chief officer or Police & Crime Commissioner will only be able to consent to an officer’s resignation or retirement if they are deemed medically unfit or in other ‘exceptional circumstances’.  From 1 December 2013 to 1 August 2014, 144 officers resigned or retired whilst subject to a gross misconduct investigation, preventing them from being held to account for their actions.  

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Yet another financial ‘time-bomb’ for a future government to ‘defuse’

The £12bn cost of creating places for the 900,000 extra pupils expected at England's schools over the next decade could push schools to breaking point, council leaders are warning ahead of the deadline for primary school admissions.

The LGA is calling on the Government to fully-fund the cost of all school places and to give councils the powers to open new schools without bureaucratic burdens so they can be delivered according to local need.

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The alternative to helping them in their own countries could be even more refugees / asylum seekers coming to Europe / the UK

The Department for International Development met, for the calendar year 2013, the government target to spend 0.7% of the UK’s annual gross national income on overseas aid.  This is the level of overseas aid that the United Nations has said that developed countries should aim to achieve.  However, the requirement to hit the target and not exceed it significantly, against a background of considerable uncertainty, presents the Department with challenges in managing its budget & spending.

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Victim-focused approach has been essential

Commenting on the publication of an interim review of Operation Pallial by Keith Towler, Children’s Commissioner for Wales, NCA Director General Keith Bristow said:  “Today’s ‘Learning the Lessons’ report recognises the importance that Operation Pallial and partner agencies have placed on supporting people who have come forward to report abuse in the care system in North Wales”.

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The ‘countryside’ is not the only place one can go walking

Transport for London is offering over 40 free guided walks as part of its annual 'Winter Wanders' weekend on Saturday 24 & Sunday 25 January. The guided walks are spread across the capital, with no booking required and are suitable for all ages & abilities.

All walks start & finish within easy reach of public transport and explore sections of the city's 7 popular Walk London Network routes; Capital Ring, Green Chain, Jubilee Greenway, Jubilee Walkway, Lea Valley, London Outer Orbital Path (LOOP) and Thames Path.

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Who/what is to blame for A&E staffing problems; ‘cruel cuts by Westminster’ or SNP financial mismanagement

Following the confirmation of an underspend of £444m in the 2013-14 final budget out-turn report to MSPs by Scottish Government (SG), the FDA will be seeking assurances that this amount will be re-allocated before the 2015 budget is finalised.  FDA's Scottish Secretary Jim Caldwell said: "It's disappointing that such a large underspend is announced while further cuts are being planned”.

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A ‘step too far’ for the German voters?

Court of Justice of the European Union ‘over-rules’ German courts.

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Will my fridge catch fire?

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents is supporting a new website (Register My Appliance), which will alert people of any appliance recalls or repairs and make it quicker & easier for them to register their appliances.  Currently just 36% currently register all of their appliances with the manufacturer, meaning thousands of owners are virtually untraceable if a safety repair is required.

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 More contributions to the UK constitutional debate

More news, opinions, documents, claims & counter-claims;

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Please choose from the links below to view individual sections of interest:

A blog by a paramedic saying that most of the patients he takes into A&E don't need to be there has sparked debate. He writes that he might see as many as 12 patients in a shift, but only about four need to be treated in the emergency department.

New On The Network
Patients must drive a digital revolution in the NHS

Patients must drive a digital revolution in the NHS
The health service should follow the banking, airline, holiday and insurance industries by adopting technology – and the public can lead that change, writes Jonathon Carr-Brown

A&E crisis: major incidents risk being the new normal for the NHS

A&E crisis: major incidents risk being the new normal for the NHS
With lengthening waiting times, a surge in demand and a lack of staff, it seems reasonable to suggest there is a systemic problem, says Bob Hudson

NHS trusts will have to make tough choices about their future

NHS trusts will have to make tough choices about their future
Unviable finances could see the strongest providers being pushed to support struggling organisations, points out Richard Vize

Behind The Headlines: Is there a future for the NHS?

Tuesday 20 January
Conway Hall, London
£15 (£12 for Guardian patrons and partners)

Is the NHS's unique model of healthcare under threat? Is a publicly funded NHS sustainable? Are the political parties promising enough money? Do we need an NHS tax or should we be charged for GP visits?

With the NHS set to be a key issue in the election campaign, join us for an agenda-setting discussion about the future of the health service. Chaired by Denis Campbell, Guardian health correspondent, with a guest panel from across the fields of health, politics and policy. Speakers include Norman Lamb, minister of state at the Department of Health; NHS England's medical director Sir Bruce Keogh; BMA chair Dr Mark Porter; and chief executive of think tank 2020health, Julia Manning. We will also hear from the NHS frontline, from patients to GPs, nurses and mental health workers.