Consultations

FSA: The Financial Services Authority (FSA) has recently increased the compensation limit for bank deposits from £35,000 up to a total of £50,000 for each customer's claim.  This increase applied from Tuesday 7 October 2008. Customers with joint accounts will be eligible to claim up to £100,000.  The FSA is also implementing changes relating to how money recovered from a failed bank could be allocated to those with deposits of more than the new protected limit of £50,000.
 
The FSA is also consulting on further reforms (closes on 5 January 2009) including considering whether the compensation limit should be higher still; the speed with which the FSCS can pay compensation; and the rules surrounding whether deposits are covered on a legal entity, a 'brand' or an 'account' basis.  The paper also sets out proposals to improve the overall scheme and to ensure consistency in respect of compensation limits for investment, insurance and home finance.
Press release ~ Financial Services Compensation Scheme: Review of the scheme limits consultation paper ~ New compensation limit rules ~ Feedback on tripartite consultation document: operation of the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) for deposit protection ~ Financial Services Compensation Scheme
 
DH: A consultation (closes on 3 December 2008) that the government claims will help formulate the UK's negotiating position to ensure the right legislative framework is developed around the new Patient Mobility EU Directive, has been launched. 
 
The proposed Directive seeks to codify existing European case law to make clear the rules that will apply when EU nationals want to receive treatment in a Member State which is not their 'home' country.  The draft Directive is due to be discussed at the Council of EU Health Ministers in Brussels on 15 & 16 December.
Press release ~ Consultation on the European Commission’s proposals for a Directive on the application of patients' rights in cross-border healthcare ~ DH - Overseas treatment for NHS patients ~ Patient Mobility EU Directive ~ Questions and Answers on the draft Directive on the application of patients' rights in cross-border healthcare ~ European Insurance Card (EHIC)
 
CLG: New powers to help keep homes affordable for communities in rural areas have been set out as Housing Minister Iain Wright launched two consultations (both closing 31 December 2008). Under the first, proposed new powers, rural communities with severe housing shortages could be designated as protected areas, ensuring affordable housing is retained for local families.
 
The new proposals would also enable all affordable housing providers in these protected areas to retain a share in new shared ownership homes, or have the first option to buy back such properties, ensuring they remain available for future families in the local community. Additionally, first-time buyers in rural areas could own a home for as little as £60,000 through the second consultation to expand Community Land Trusts.
Press release ~ Consultation document - Shared Ownership and Leasehold Enfranchisement and Designation of 'Protected' Areas ~ Consultation document - Community Land Trust: Making It Happen ~ Community Land Trusts (CLTs) ~ Commission for Rural Communities – Rural Housing ~ Planning policy for housing (PPS3) ~ JRF Commission on Rural Housing in Wales ~ CRC Article for Shelter ~ Sustainable Rural Communities in the 21st Century ~ ‘Rural Financial Poverty: Priorities for action’ ~ WAG Consultation on Meeting Housing Needs in Rural Areas ~ TAN 6: Agricultural and Rural Development – 2000 ~ Sue Essex Report into affordable housing in Wales ~ Community Housing Cymru ~ Affordable Rural Housing Commission (ARHC) ~ Living Working Countryside: The Taylor Review of Rural Economy and Affordable Housing
 
DWP: The Social Security Advisory Committee (SSAC) has been asked by the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions to consider proposals for the Social Security (flexible new deal) regulations 2008.  Before the Committee considers & reports on the proposals, it would like to hear from organisations, including existing & potential providers and individuals who have views (by Friday 7 November 2008)
Press release ~ Explanatory memorandum and draft regulations from here ~ Consultation response facility
 
WAG: The Independent Funding Commission for Wales has started its work with a 'Call for Evidence' to anyone wishing to contribute to it's deliberations on the Barnett formula, tax varying and borrowing powers. 
 
Finance Minister Andrew Davies commented: “After almost a decade of devolution it is right to review the Assembly’s funding arrangements and to consider the scope for changes to our fiscal powers.  The Commissioners have been set an important task and I look forward to their interim report next summer”.
Press release ~ Review the funding and finance of the Welsh Assembly Government ~ Call for evidence
 
ScotParl: Is a lack of the right type of facilities in schools compromising sports education?  Examining the barriers that Scots face in the early stages of their pathways into sport will form the second phase of an inquiry by the Scottish Parliament's Health and Sport Committee.
 
Launching its Inquiry on Pathways into Sport with a call for written evidence (closing date Friday 21 November 2008) the committee will specifically look at children & sport, community facilities & coaching.
Press release ~ Information on submitting evidence ~ Active Schools Network ~ Active Schools Co-ordinators ~ ScotGov - Sport ~ National Stadium Sports Medicine Centre ~ Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD ~ Scottish Institute for Sport ~ Scottish Disability Sport ~ Sportscotland National Centre Inverclyde ~ Sportscotland Lottery Fund Strategy
 
Ofsted: The Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) and Ofsted have launched a consultation (closes on 16 January 2009) on a proposed standard set of school level indicators, which will recognise & reward schools for their contribution to pupil’s well-being.
 
The indicators will be a combination of measures for which quantitative data are available, such as the school’s overall attendance rate & the take-up of school lunches and measures of the perceptions of pupils & parents on the extent to which a school promotes well-being.  Subject to the consultation, the plan is for the indicators to be used by Ofsted in its school inspection arrangements from September 2009.
Press release ~ Indicators of a school’s contribution to well-being ~ Complete the online consultation ~ Proposals for revisions to legislation for schools causing concern
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