Consultations
DfT: Aviation Minister Jim Fitzpatrick has launched a consultation (closes on30 October 2007) on the methodology that should be used for the aviation emissions cost assessment (ECA), which will compare the social cost of aviation's climate change emissions with the extent to which the industry covers that cost. This information will then be used to help inform strategic decisions on future aviation policy.
The introduction of the ECA is in line with recommendations of the Stern Review on the economics of climate change and the Eddington Transport Study, both of which emphasised the importance of ensuring that services reflect their respective climate change costs.
Press release ~ DfT - Consultation on the aviation emissions cost assessment ~ Future of Air Transport White Paper Progress Report ~ Government Economic Service (GES) ~ 'Estimating the Social Cost of Carbon Emissions' ~ Stern Review ~ Eddington Transport Study ~ DfT - Aviation and Global Warming ~ Aviation and Climate Change ~ FoE: Aviation and Climate Change ~ Valuation of the Global Warming Impacts of UK Aviation
DWP: Lord McKenzie has announced a Ministerial Consultation (closes 31 October 2007) on the proposed merger of the Health and Safety Commission (HSC) and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), which would bring the governance arrangements for HSC/E in line with best practice and provide a more robust governance framework.
HSC conducted an initial consultation entitled 'A Stronger Voice for Health and Safety' between December 2006 & March 2007 and claims that there was strong support from stakeholders for the merger. The HSC and HSE have now asked Lord McKenzie, Minister for Health and Safety, to undertake a Ministerial Consultation to bring about the merger through the Legislative and Regulatory Reform Act 2006.
Press release ~ Consultation document ~ 'A Stronger Voice for Health and Safety' ~ Legislative and Regulatory Reform Act 2006
DSA: The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) is now inviting the public to enter into consultation (closes on 31 October 2007) on the implementation of the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (Driver CPC).
The Driver CPC is a new qualification that all professional bus, coach & lorry drivers will need to have if they want to drive for a living. It is being introduced across the European Union to maintain high driving standards and will affect bus and coach drivers from September 2008, and lorry drivers from September 2009.
New drivers will need to complete an initial qualification to obtain their Driver CPC and all affected drivers will need to take 35 hours of approved periodic training every five years, if they wish to continue driving
Press release ~ Consultation paper: 'Driver Certificate of Professional Competence - further implementation arrangements'
Cabinet Office: The Cabinet Office has opened a consultation (closes 2 November 2007) on the working of a new £10m risk capital investment fund for social enterprises. Many social enterprises find it difficult to access risk capital, leaving a gap in their finances particularly when they are at the critical stage of development between starting up and growing their business.
The Government has published proposals for operating the fund and wants views of stakeholders before making the final decisions. The proposals are to establish a 'pathfinder investment scheme' where the Government's £10m will be matched by a further £10m investment from the private & independent sectors.
The Government would appoint an independent fund manager and expect to make the same return on investments as independent investors.
Press release ~ Consultation documents ~ Office of the Third Sector (OTS) ~ Social Enterprise Action Plan
TfL: Transport for London has announced that a public consultation (ends on 19 October) has begun on proposals to charge cars with the highest greenhouse gas emissions (those in Vehicle Excise Duty Band 'G' & equivalent ex. 'Chelsea tractors', etc.) £25 to drive in the central London Congestion Charging Zone, combined with a 100% discount for the cars with the lowest emissions.
TfL and the Mayor claim that the great majority of drivers within the zone would be unaffected and would continue to pay the standard £8 charge. However, people currently entitled to the residents' discount who continue to drive Band G cars would no longer be entitled to this discount and would be required to pay the full £25 daily charge.
