.gif)
Consultations
DWP: The Social Security Advisory Committee (SSAC) has been asked by the Minister for Welfare Reform to undertake an independent review of Passported Benefits (PBs) and provide advice on possible approaches to the provision of PBs under Universal Credit. The review will consider a number of key issues, including complexity, cost and work incentives.
As part of the review the Committee would like to hear from individuals, organisations and other bodies with views on PBs under Universal Credit. The consultation period ends on 22 July 2011.
BIS: New proposals to simplify the confusing & overlapping provision of consumer protection are needed to better protect consumers, Consumer Minister Edward Davey announced last week. Under proposals set out in a new consultation ‘Empowering and Protecting Consumers’, ministers want to see a new simplified ‘consumer landscape’ with public funding concentrated on 2 bodies that consumers trust and already turn to for advice – Trading Standards and the Citizens Advice service.
Consumer policy is not devolved to Scotland or Wales therefore the consultation applies in both those countries. However consumer policy is devolved in Northern Ireland and so this consultation does not apply there. The consultation closes on 27 September 2011.
NICE: NICE has launched a consultation on its draft quality standards & draft guidance on service user experience in adult mental health and patient experience in adult NHS services (both close on 19 July 2011).
DfE: Children’s Minister, Sarah Teather, last week called on the public to make sure their voices are heard by responding to the Government’s proposals to reform the education & health support for children with special educational needs (SEN) & disabilities. Consultation closes on Thursday 30 June 2011.
The DfE particularly wants to hear from parents, young people, teachers & professionals who have experience of SEN & disabilities and are frustrated by the current problems.
The DfE particularly wants to hear from parents, young people, teachers & professionals who have experience of SEN & disabilities and are frustrated by the current problems.
MoJ: The Government will lead by example by committing to using better, quicker & more efficient ways of resolving legal disputes, Justice Minister Jonathan Djanogly announced last week. Britain’s largest employer signed the first ever Dispute Resolution Commitment (DRC) which requires all Government departments & agencies to use alternatives such as mediation, arbitration & conciliation wherever possible before taking disputes to court.
Making more use of the wide range of options available to resolve disputes has already saved taxpayers an estimated £360m over the last decade. The commitment is the latest in a series of Government moves to encourage people & businesses to take responsibility for their own disputes, rather than turning to lawyers and judges to resolve issues.
The Ministry of Justice published the consultation paper 'Solving disputes in the county courts: creating a simpler, quicker and more proportionate system', which sets out & seeks views on proposals to reform the civil justice system in the courts in England & Wales and includes questions on the appropriate use of ADR (consultation ends on 30 June 2011).
DfT: The biggest overhaul of financial protection for holidaymakers in more than a decade officially got underway last week. Up to 6m extra holidays could be covered by the Air Travel Operators' Licence (ATOL) scheme under the reform proposals put forward for consultation (closes on 15 September 2011) by Aviation Minister, Theresa Villiers.
Changes in the way holidays are booked since the scheme was first introduced mean there are now many holidays available which look like packages, but fall outside the existing legislation, leading to confusion amongst passengers over their level of protection. The reforms are also intended to put the ATOL fund back on a financially sustainable basis, removing the need for the taxpayer support currently given via a government guarantee.
.gif)
