General News

UKOC: As of last week, UK online centres have changed their organisational name from Online Centres Foundation to Tinder Foundation. The name reflects their 3-year strategy that will see them develop new products & new projects, and their focus on sustainability.
Press release & links
 
DfE: Education Secretary Michael Gove recently published a document detailing the range of government-backed cultural education opportunities open to all young people in England.  The government is spending £292m to 2015 on cultural education so young people can benefit from excellent cultural and music activities.
Press release & links
 
IfL: The Institute for Learning (IfL) has updated its strategy to reflect the organisation’s return to being a fully independent, self-financed professional body for teachers & trainers in further education & skills.
Press release & links
 
FSA: The Food Standards Agency has updated its list of product ranges that do not contain the 6 food colours associated with possible hyperactivity in young children.  Another manufacturer producing product lines free of the colours has been added to the list - The Noisy Drink Company.
Press release ~ More information
 
HMRCTaxpayers who have failed to submit tax returns are being offered the chance to come forward and pay up under a new HMRC campaign. Beginning on 9 July 2013, the campaign is aimed at people who have received a Self Assessment tax return or notice to complete a tax return for any year up to 2011-12 but have not taken action. As part of the campaign, HMRC will be writing directly to several thousand people it has identified using intelligence-gathering software, and will follow up with calls to many of them.
Press release & links
 
IoE:  A new initiative in initial teacher education (ITE) is being launched by The Institute of Education (IOE)Professional Practice project will give schools greater responsibility in the selection of trainees, and over course design & delivery. This enables schools to nurture teachers at the start of their careers and ensure that they have thorough insight & understanding of the school's ethos, and of the local context in which it is situated.
Press release & links
 
CLGWest Midlands Fire Service is to be offered financial support following the large-scale Smethwick fire the government have announced under the Bellwin scheme, which gives assistance with financial burdens due to large-scale emergencies.
Press release & links
 
Monitor: Health sector regulator Monitor has launched an investigation into the persistent failure of The Robert Jones & Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust to prevent patients having to wait more than 18 weeks for treatment. 
Press release & links
 
LSIS: Following the announcement that Learning and Skills Improvement Servicesis closing in July 2013, it has now been confirmed that the Education and Training Foundation will be taking forward all UKCES standards related work for the following occupational areas: Further education teaching professional (2312) and Vocational & industrial trainers and instructors (3563).
Press release & links
 
TNA: 11 items have been selected from the UK's libraries, archives & museums to represent our outstanding heritage in the UK Memory of the World Register.  From Domesday Book to Hitchcock's silent films, these priceless items span nearly 900 years, come from across the country and embody pivotal moments in the history of their communities and the UK as a whole.
Press release & links
 
CLG: On the 18th anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide, the Department for Communities and Local Government has announced funding to commemorate & honour more than 8,000 Bosnian men & boys who lost their lives and help ensure that this crime is never forgotten.
 
‘Remembering Srebrenica’ is a community-led programme which teaches future generations about the consequences of hatred.  Part of its work is to lead educational visits by community leaders to Bosnia so they can pay their respects to the victims and hear from survivors about the devastating events of July 1995.

By reflecting upon the atrocities that took place, those who visit the area will be expected to share their experiences with their wider communities so that the lessons can be passed to those who are too young to remember the tragedy.
Press release & links
 
MoDEx-Service personnel will be some of the first to benefit from removing the age limit on start-up loans.  The loans, to help people start up their own businesses, were historically only open those under the age of 30.  
Press release & links
 
CO: A government-wide review of contracts held by G4S and Serco has been announced in response to an independent audit within the Ministry of Justice. The review was prompted by the findings of an independent audit within the Ministry of Justice, as outlined by Justice Secretary Chris Grayling in the House of Commons last week.
 
The Cabinet Office, which has cross-government responsibility for procurement, will therefore conduct a review into government-held G4S & Serco contracts to ensure that contracts are well-managed and in good order.  This will complement existing work on strengthening commercial capability across government to determine how we can make further improvements.
Press release & links
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