General News
DSA: The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) and the Motorcycle Industry Association have teamed up with leading motorcycle insurance companies to offer significant insurance discounts to all qualified bikers who successfully take part in the new 'Enhanced Rider Scheme' (ERS).
A national network of DSA Registered Post test Motorcycle Trainers (RPMT) has been developed to deliver rider skills assessments and training to those people who want to take part in the Enhanced Rider Scheme. Riders assessed as having no significant weaknesses receive a 'DSA Certificate of Competence - Enhanced Rider Bonus', which entitles them to insurance discounts.
Press release ~ Becoming a driving instructor ~ Registered Post test Motorcycle Trainers (RPMT) ~ Driving Standards Agency (DSA) - Motorcyclists ~ Motorcycle Industry Association ~ 'Enhanced Rider Scheme' (ERS) ~ Government Motorcycling Strategy ~ Revised Motorcycling Strategy Action Plan ~ IHIE Guidelines for motorcycling ~ National Motorcycle Council ~ Use of Bus Lanes by Motorcycles ~ SHARP - the Safety Helmet Assessment and Rating Programme ~ Bikesafe - Motorcycle Rider Safety
DSA: A new qualification, The Driver Certificate of Professional Competence, (Driver CPC) will be introduced on 10 September 2008 for all professional bus and coach drivers. New drivers wishing to enter the industry will be required to take the Driver CPC initial qualification. In addition, all drivers, both new and existing, will need to complete 35 hours of 'periodic training' every five years in order to maintain their Driver CPC status and continue driving professionally.
Existing drivers will not be required to take the initial qualification. However, they will be required to complete 35 hours of periodic training by 2013and every five years thereafter if they wish to continue driving professionally.
The second phase of the Driver CPC scheme which will cover professional drivers of lorries and heavy goods vehicles will be introduced in September 2009.
Press release ~ Training syllabus and test ~ DSA – Lorry and Bus Drivers ~ Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC)
CD: If you sign a timeshare contract which you later regret, you may have the right to cancel, but you need to act fast advises Consumer Direct. The government advice service has received more than 1,800 timeshare related complaints in the first six months of this year, a 45% rise from the same period last year. Many were from people who regretted signing up to timeshares during high pressure sales presentations both in the UK and abroad.
Under the Timeshare Act 1992, if you sign a timeshare agreement in the UKlasting three or more years, you have a 14 day 'cooling off' period to cancel the contract and any related credit agreement. If you sign elsewhere in Europe you have a minimum of 10 days to change your mind. Cancellation must be made in writing and preferably sent by recorded delivery. Consumers may also seek advice from the Timeshare Consumers Association.
Press release ~ Consumer Direct website ~ Timeshare Consumers Association ~ OFT: Bogus holiday clubs ~ Revision of Timeshare Directive ~
YF: The UK’s leading high end loudspeaker brand is to develop a ‘next generation’ turntable, thanks to a research and development grant from Yorkshire Forward. Sheffield based Wilson Benesch produces audio products including speakers and turntables, which combine advanced materials technologies with traditional materials to achieve stylish top end products.
With the research and development grant the company will take their current knowledge in the field of advanced composites to a new level exploring the use of carbon allotropes molecules, known as buckyballs, in collaboration with the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre and the University of Sheffield.
Press release ~ Yorkshire Forward ~ Wilson Benesch ~ Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre ~ Carbon allotropes molecules
Defra: Defra has issued a Designated Area Order prohibiting the movement of fish in and out of the Royal Horticultural Society Garden Ponds at Hyde Hall, Essex, following the confirmation of Koi Herpesvirus (KHV) Disease.
KHV Disease affects common carp and carp varieties such as Koi. It can result in high rates of fish mortalities, but there are no implications for human health.
Press release ~ Royal Horticultural Society ~ Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) ~ Protecting your fishery from KHV
LDA: London’s small businesses are to get help to bring innovative new products to the market following the launch of ‘Knowledge Connect’ – a new business support programme from the London Development Agency (LDA). Knowledge Connect will enable small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to get in touch with universities, further education colleges and private sector specialists to develop new business opportunities.
The £3.5m London-wide programme will provide grants of up to £3,000 for activities such as initial testing, product service development or proof of concept, with grants of up to £10,000 (which require 50% match funding) to support the delivery of in-depth, collaborative projects.
STFC: Government science and innovation investment has received a boost with the announcement of a joint venture that will see the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus develop into one of the world’s principal locations for scientific, academic and business collaboration.
Science and Innovation Minister, Ian Pearson, confirmed the government’s support for the new public-private partnership comprising the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) and international property group Goodman.
Under the agreement:
* UKAEA will provide land at Harwell for development and an existing business base
* STFC will contribute involvement in major public sector science programmes and a proactive approach to ensuring fundamental research can be harnessed & exploited by innovators, entrepreneurs and industry
* Goodman will offer market access to global businesses & expertise in long-term property ownership, development and management, as well as providing working capital for the JV
Press release ~ STFC - Harwell Science and Innovation Campus ~ UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) ~ International property group Goodman
NSG: The National School of Government has been named a ‘Centre of Excellence’ for its provision of Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS) procurement qualification programmes - for the 11th consecutive year. The award of three stars by CIPS – the highest possible ranking - confirms its position in the top twenty procurement training providers in the UK.
Defra: An invasive non-native insect which could harm woodland areas and garden plants in the UK has been identified in the UK. The Citrus Longhorn Beetle (Anoplophora chinensis) has been brought in on Acer plants (Acer palmatum or 'Japanese Maple') imported from China via the Netherlands and distributed by mail order.
Citrus Longhorn beetles develop inside plant stems & tree trunks, taking between one and three years to emerge, and are therefore difficult to detect. Prior to emergence, there are no obvious symptoms of infestation or the presence of a larva or pupa within a plant or tree, but examination of the ground at the base of the shrub or tree for signs of wood shavings provides a rapid method of detecting activity of late stage larvae.
These large black beetles grow to between 21-37mm long and have distinct white markings and long "horns" or antennae. If you see one of these distinctive beetles, please isolate it in a sealed container and contact your local Plant Health and Seeds Inspector (PHSI) or telephone 01904 455174.
PCS: 5,000 PCS members working in central government departments in Scotland are to join Scottish local government workers in a one-day strike on Wednesday 20 August as part of an ongoing dispute over Scottish Ministers pay policy.
Following ‘massive support’ for the first PCS action on 31 July, the union has notified the employers in Scottish Government and Registers of Scotland that members will be taking a second day of strike action in conjunction with over 100,000 Scottish local government members of Unison, Unite and the GMB.
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