General News

TUCGovernment assurances that changes to public sector pensions will not hit low-paid public sector workers earning less than £15,000 a year are misleading, said the TUC last week as it published figures showing that more than 750,000 earning less than this - the overwhelming majority of whom are women - will have to pay higher contributions.
 
This is because the government measures workers' income by looking at their full-time equivalent pay, not their actual pay.  Someone working half-time on £14,000 a year is considered to be earning £28,000 by ministers. 

The TUC research shows that 806,000 public sector part-time workers earn less than £15,000 but have full-time equivalent earnings of more than this and will therefore have to pay the increase in contributions being demanded by ministers.  
Press release & links
 
FSAThe Food Standards Agency is advising people not to consume specific jars of Loyd Grossman Korma sauce.  This is because of the risk of botulism poisoning.
Press release & links
 
FSAFood Standards Agency UK and Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) are calling for papers to be presented at the Eighth International Conference on Social Science Methodology in Sydney from 9 to 13 July 2012.  The deadline for submitting abstracts is 1 December 2011.
 
DSTL: A key mechanism by which a bacterial pathogen causes the deadly tropical disease melioidosis has been discovered by an international team of scientists.
Press release & links
 
DCMSThe International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) has awarded London the right to host the World Athletics Championships in 2017.
Press release & links
 
OSDigimap for Schools is celebrating its first birthday with a new free mystery map challenge allowing pupils to identify hidden locations using key geographic information.
Press release & links
 
MO: The Met Office has launched a new weather service for airport operators. It enables airports to plan important tasks, such as airport maintenance, up to 15 days ahead.
Press release & links
 
FSAThe Food Standards Agency has been notified that meat has entered the food supply from a bullock aged over 72 months that had not been tested for BSE.
Press release & links
 
FDAIn a ballot turnout of 54%, FDA members have voted decisively in favour of industrial action, in the current dispute over the Government's plans to reform public sector pension arrangements.
Press release & links
 
TUCRemuneration reports drew the greatest opposition from institutional investors yet bank remuneration reports were widely supported, according to the latest TUC fund manager voting survey published recently.
Press release & links
 
FSA: Brodie Clark last week issued his written statement to the Home Affairs Committee.
Press release & links ~ FDA comments
 
COStudents who have designed revolutionary applications using government data have received awards from the Prime Minister at Downing Street.
Press release & links
Spotlight on women at Serco – Anita’s story