Consultations

DCSF: Clinical psychologist Dr Tanya Byron has launched a ‘call for evidence’ (closes 30 November 2007) to gather information, advice & views about the risks to children and young people of exposure to potentially harmful or inappropriate material on the internet and in video games.
 
Her questions seek views on the benefits & opportunities of these fantastic new technologies, as well as exploring the potential risks and how children, young people & their parents can be supported to manage them.
Press release ~ Byron review website
 
Defra: More packaging would be recovered & recycled under proposals set out in a consultation (closes on 30 November 2007) and new business targets would come into effect in January 2008 to help the UK meet its obligations under the EC Packaging Directive.  Higher targets are proposed for 2009 & beyond to increase the level of recovery and recycling.  The consultation is published in conjunction with the Welsh Assembly Government and the Scottish Government.
 
After 2008 it is at the discretion of Member States to set targets beyond the minimum required by the Packaging.
Press release ~ Consultation documents ~ EC Packaging Directive ~ UK Packaging Regulations
 
HM Treasury: The Chancellor of the Exchequer has announced, in an oral statement to Parliament, the publication of a discussion paper taking forward his commitment to improve the framework for dealing with banks in distress, including the arrangements for depositor protection.  The paper has been published jointly by HM Treasury, the Financial Services Authority and the Bank of England.
 
The discussion paper seeks views (before 5 December 2007) on the way in which the current framework for dealing with banks in distress may be enhanced, in particular whether:
* there should be further reform to the depositor compensation system and
* if there is a risk of a bank failing, when another solution cannot be arranged sufficiently quickly, there is a case for preserving critical banking functions and if so how best that might be done
 
The Government intends to follow up with a consultation document in early 2008. Before enacting any concrete measure, the Government will want to be reasonably assured that the benefits of the proposed changes exceed the costs.
Press release ~ Banking Reform - Protecting Depositors: a discussion paper ~ FSA ~ Bank of England
 
DH: The Department of Health has launched a consultation setting out proposals for managing applications for foundation and specialty training programmes from medical graduates from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) – See ‘In The News’ for more details.
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