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General News
UKSA: The new UK Statistics Authority (UKSA) which takes up its powers in April 2008has urged the Government further to tighten the rules by which Ministers and their officials are allowed privileged access to statistics before they are published, because they are ‘simply not strong enough to combat the public perception that there is political interference in the production and presentation of statistical outputs.’
The Government has proposed 24 hours advance notice, but the UKSA has called for the period to be reduced to 3 hours in line with international best practice. The Authority has also called for a large reduction in the number of officials who receive access and in the range of outputs where pre-release access is granted at all.
Press release ~ Limiting pre-release access to statistics ~ Statistics and Registration Service Act 2007
HMRC: Helping students manage tax better and develop good financial habits is the focus of a new Student Tax Advice campaign launched by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC). The campaign was promoted with a Student Tax Aware Week which ran from 3 - 10 March 2008.
As part of the week's activity new printed student tax information materials were distributed on campus; a Student Tax Refund Calculator was made available on Facebook and tax information films placed on YouTube.
Press release ~ studenttaxadvice.org.uk ~ National Union of Students (NUS) ~ Uni Money - your guide to Student Loans, grants and bursaries ~ HM Revenue & Customs: Tax + U - Student At Work
FSA: New figures published by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) show that one in five mortgage holders are concerned about meeting their repayments in the next 12 months. When asked how they would meet these costs, a quarter of them said they had no plans.
The FSA is launching a £2m advertising campaign and checklist to help consumers make informed financial decisions and find the right mortgage for them. It is especially focusing on people whose fixed rate or discount deals are coming to an end this year – 1.4 million short-term fixed rate mortgages are due to end in 2008.
Press release ~ Stay in control of your mortgage ~ FSA –mortgage choices ~ National Strategy for Financial Capability ~ Thoresen Review of Generic Financial Advice ~ Other Money Made Clear tables
BERR: Low paid workers can look forward to a slightly bigger pay packet from October 2008, after the PM announced the adult National Minimum Wage (NMW) rate will rise from £5.52 to £5.73 (a 4.1% rise). The rate for 18-21 year olds will also increase from £4.60 to £4.77, while the 16-17 year old rate will rise from £3.40 to £3.53.
The Government says it has also boosted funding for enforcement of the NMW and is planning tough new penalties for rogue employers who underpay staff as part of the Employment Bill, now before the Parliament. It has also announced new measures which aim to enforce the minimum wage and crack down on rogue employers, including:
* A fairer method for dealing with national minimum wage arrears
* Toughening up penalties for those who break the law
Press release ~ Low Pay Commission ~ Employment Bill 2007-2008 - BERR ~ Response to consultation on Minimum Wage enforcement ~ BERR - National Minimum Wage (NMW) ~ HMRC - NMW ~ Employment Agency Standards (EAS)
ESRC: As part of the ESRC Festival of Social Science, researchers are inviting the public to help collect evidence on the role siblings play in people’s lives. The resulting research will help to shed light on sibling relationships that often last throughout our lives and so help the work of family therapists, social workers and many more.
People of all ages are asked to anonymously complete a postcard with the gender & age of themselves and any siblings, plus any notes about these relationships. Postcards will be available in 20 locations around the UK during the ESRC Festival from 7th to 16th March. People can also complete the card online.
The researchers are part of the 'Timescapes' study which explores the ways in which personal & family relationships unfold over time and how those relationships shape who we are. The focus is on relationships with significant others: parents, grandparents, siblings, children, partners, friends and lovers.
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