General News
UKOC: A brand new funding opportunity for the UK online centres network opened recently, aiming to support expert centres working with key target groups. This funding will support centres working in the Disability, Carers and Into Work groups, as well as a new specialist network which will focus on engaging with older people.
HPA: The Health Protection Agency can confirm the diagnosis of a further case of novel coronavirus infection in a UK resident,who had recently travelled to the Middle East & Pakistan. The patient is receiving intensive care treatment in a Manchester hospital. This latest case brings the total number of confirmed cases globally to 10, of which 2 have been diagnosed in the UK.
ESRC: The official launch of the Tax Administration Research Centre (TARC) took place last week. The aim of the centre is to ‘support high quality research & related activities on tax administration, with a view to strengthening the theoretical & empirical understanding of the delivery & design of tax operations and policies’.
STFC: Both telescopes based at the Science & Technology Facilities Council’s Joint Astronomy Centre (JAC) in Hawaii have broken productivity records for the second year running. The James Clerk Maxwell Telescope (JCMT) and the United Kingdom Infrared Telescope (UKIRT) posted record numbers of scientific papers in 2012.
ACE: Arts Council England has announced that a total of £4,041,331 funding has been awarded to 12 projects in the sixth round of its Strategic touring programme, which is designed to develop audiences for the arts across England, particularly in areas where access to high-quality work is limited. It also aims to help establish new working partnerships between artists, producers, promoters & venues - between those on both the supply & demand sides of touring.
ACE is currently accepting applications for Strategic touring grants. Visit their Key Dates page for further information on when to apply to be considered for a particular funding round.
NE: A study of soils sampled from farms across the South West of England has produced results that could help the region’s farmers increase yields & provide environmental benefits, Natural England’s Soils for Profit (S4P) Project Team announced last week.
TfL: If you're a mum-to-be, asking for a seat on the Tube can sometimes be hard, but, if you have a ‘baby on board badge’, passengers are more likely to see that you may need to sit down. The badges are available from Transport for London and aim to combat any awkwardness that may be felt when asking someone to give up their seat. For your baby on board badge, call TfL's Customer Service Centre.
LSIS: Learning & Skills Improvement Services has launched research projects to explore the specific relevance of sustainability skills & knowledge to the further education (FE) & skills sector. The research will also help identify strategies for embedding these skills & knowledge into teaching, learning & the curriculum.
CO: A new single route for Government to buy consultancy services – where there is a clear business case in line with Cabinet Office controls – will make it cheaper, end reliance on big business, and give more work to smaller firms, Minister for the Cabinet Office, Francis Maude, has announced.
Awarded last week, the first phase of the new ConsultancyONE framework developed by Government Procurement Service (GPS)is expected to deliver significant reductions in consultancy day rates by at least 20%. It offers a wider choice of suppliers with more competitive, innovative solutions than ever before – 47% of the successful firms are not existing framework suppliers.
TfL: Using Transport for London's Legible London system can help you make the most of a trip in the Capital. Look out for Legible London street maps which make navigating quicker & easier. The scheme encourages people to make short journeys on foot and includes information on walkways & cycle routes, as well as places to eat.
DCMS: A group of people from all walks of life made their way to the Southbank Centre last week, as part of V-Day’s One Billion Rising campaign for a surprise flashmob to raise awareness about violence against women & girls.
Press release & links ~ This is Abuse - new advert launched ~ HO: Violence against women - a global day of action ~ HO: Turning the ‘hunters’ into the ‘hunted’ (4th item) ~ WAG: Campaign Tackles Domestic Violence Ahead of Six Nations Matches ~ 'Clare's law' pilot begins today
TfL: London is to have the world's first ultra low-emission zone, the Mayor announced recently. The aim is to create the zone in central London - which would deliver dramatic benefits to air quality and increase take-up of low-emission vehicles. Transport for London will prepare plans for the new zone and look at the feasibility of introducing it from 2020. By that time it is expected that all buses in central London will be hybrid and all taxis zero-emission.
