General Reports and Other Publications
ESRC: A group at the Open University funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) has taken the first systematic look at what large-scale, commodity farmers – not those mainly involved in organic growing - think about genetically-modified (GM) crops.
They found that both farmers who have been involved in GM crop trials and those who have not, regard GM as a simple extension of previous plant breeding techniques, such as those which have produced today’s established crop types. The research suggests that these farmers do not think that GM raises any issues of principle, or that it is a matter of right or wrong. They regard GM crops as an innovation which they would assess on its merits.
Press release ~ ‘Farmers Understandings of GM crops within local communities’ ~ ESRC Society Today ~ GM food and crops | Greenpeace UK ~ Defra – GM Crops ~ Soil Association ~ Genetic resources for food and agriculture ~ The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture ~ The Royal Society: Genetically modified plants for food use and human health
ScotGov: Closer joint working between Government and business paves the way for better regulation, according to a new report.
The Regulatory Review Group's interim report to Ministers - 'Towards Better Regulation for Scotland - A New Partnership between the Scottish Government and Business' - suggests a new process for lawmakers and businesses that would include:
* More detailed consultation - and visits to individual business premises - before laws are drawn up
* A mandatory Business Impact Assessment for Scottish legislation
* A requirement for business to dedicate time & resources needed to allow Government to consult meaningfully with them
Press release ~ Towards Better Regulation for Scotland - Interim report from RRG ~ Regulatory Review Group ~ ScotGov - Business Scotland ~ Business Enterprise Scotland ~ FSB Scotland
NAO: The National Audit Office has found that a good start has been made in preparing for the replacement by 2012 of the analogue television service with a digital one. 85% of households have already switched from analogue to digital TV for their main set. However, consumers will have to convert or replace another 26 million television sets if they wish to continue watching television on those sets after the switchover to digital.
The Government estimates that the programme will cost the UK economy £4.6bn, of which £3.8bn is the cost to consumers of converting or replacing television sets. The Government estimates the benefits will be £6.3bn, largely through extending the geographical availability of existing services for consumers and the opportunity for new services.
A help scheme for the switchover which offers assistance to specified groups is being administered by the BBC and funded with up to £603m ring-fenced by the Government in the licence fee to 2012-13.
Press release ~ Preparations for Digital Switchover ~ Executive Summary ~ Digital Switchover Help Scheme ~ The BBC’s preparedness for digital switchover ~ Copeland help scheme ~ Digital Switchover (Disclosure of Information) Act ~ Persuasion or Compulsion? Consumers and analogue switch-off ~ Help the Aged ~ Television Licences (Disclosure of Information) Act 2000
DH: The Department of Health has published its formal response to Sir John Tooke's independent review of Modernising Medical Careers (MMC). Sir John published his interim findings in October 2007. He then published his final, more substantial report Aspiring for Excellence on 8 January 2008, which included 47 individual recommendations and the Department's response has considered how best to move forward on these. Many recommendations have received a direct response, while others require further consideration.
Press release ~ Response to the Independent Inquiry into Modernising Medical Careers ~ MMC inquiry - Tooke report ~ Modernising Medical Careers ~ BMA ~ Academy of Medical Royal Colleges
ScotGov: Helping pupils develop their business brains at school could have huge benefits - for both individual pupils and the nation's economy. That was the message from Education Secretary Fiona Hyslop, following a positive endorsement from HM Inspectorate of Information (HIME) for the enterprise in education programme.
The report - Improving Enterprise in Education - highlighted that enterprise in education:
* Encourages strong partnerships with businesses, colleges and the wider community
* Supports quality learning and teaching in all areas of the curriculum
* Promotes good attendance, behaviour, motivation and attainment
Press release ~ Improving Enterprise in Education ~ HM Inspectorate of Information (HIME) ~ Making the difference: Enterprise in education ~ Enterprise in Education ~ ScotGov - Learning and Teaching Scotland ~ Y.E.S. - Young Enterprise Scotland
NAO: The new contract for general practice has contributed to improved recruitment & retention of GPs, with numbers increasing from 26,833 to 30,931 since 2003. However, according to a new report by the National Audit Office, the contract has cost the Department £1.76bn more than it originally budgeted for. In 2005-06 the annual average pay of a GP partner was £113,614, an increase of 58% since 2002-03. GPs report, however, that over the last year their pay has stayed the same or decreased.
The report found that, in the first two years of the contract, productivity has fallen by an average of 2.5% per year and that GPs are working on average seven hours less per week than in 1992, partly because of the removal of the responsibility for out of hours care. While the number of consultations with patients has increased, these are not in proportion with the increase in costs.
Press release ~ NHS Pay Modernisation: New contracts for general practice services in England ~ Executive Summary
HC: The Healthcare Commission has) welcomed the publication of the King’s Fund report Safe Births: Everybody’s Business. Sue Eardley, Maternity Lead for the Healthcare Commission, said:
"Our recent review of maternity services across England did not find any NHS trust to be offering an unsafe service, but it did show that changes are needed in the way maternity services are provided. We welcome the practical advice this report offers to trusts in affecting that change”.
Press release ~ King’s Fund: Safe Births: Everybody’s Business ~ New HC Maternity website ~ Previous related HC press release ~ Previous related DH press release ~ Healthcare Commission ~ Briefing note ~ Results for each trust ~ Maternity service review final results spreadsheet ~ 'Maternity Matters' ~ Making it better: For mother and baby - Clinical case for change ~ Children's NSF
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