General Reports and Other Publications
Newswire – CPA: The Committee of Public Accounts has published; HMRC’s Estate Private Finance Deal 8 Years On. Edward Leigh MP, Chairman of the CPA, said: "HM Revenue and Customs has failed to achieve value for money over the first eight years of a private finance contract to manage its estates.
The decision by a tax authority to enter into a commercial arrangement involving tax avoidance through an off-shore company has damaged HMRC's reputation and not delivered any extra benefits to the government, as any reduction in the contract price will be accompanied by a reduction in tax revenue…………..
Getting the best out of this contract will require HMRC to work in partnership with Mapeley, as this Committee pointed out in 2005. It is therefore disappointing to see that this still hasn't happened. It will also require HMRC to have the right skills in place to manage the contract. The Department must identify the skills gaps it currently has and take action to fill them."
Newswire – CMSC: The Culture, Media and Sport Committee has released its report: Future for local and regional media, which examines the current state of local & regional media in the UK and makes a number of recommendations that seek to address some of the concerns the Committee heard from the industry.
Committee Chairman John Whittingdale said:
"Local media performs vital functions in society. It scrutinizes and holds to account local authorities and institutions, it informs people of news and events in their communities, and it forms part of the local identity of an area. It also provides a training ground for staff and a source of news for national media. Yet local media face unprecedented challenges as a result of structural changes and the impact of a global recession.
This has led to the closure of a large number of newspapers, many commercial radio stations becoming loss-making and the possible end of regional news on commercial television. This has serious implications for local democracy."
Press release ~ Future for local and regional media Volume 1 ~ Future for local and regional media Volume 2
Newswire – TSC: The Government must act on the findings of its consultation on mobility scooters, says the Transport Select Committee. In the light of anecdotal accounts of accidents involving the vehicles, but little hard evidence, MPs urge the Government's to collect better data on the use of scooters as well as incidents & injuries where they are involved.
The Committee's report notes that the Department for Transport has launched a consultation, but is concerned that after a similar review in 2005, Ministers failed to act on many of its findings. With a growing number of mobility scooter users on the UK's pavements & roads, the MPs call on the Government to take decisive action where necessary.
