Policy Statements and Initiatives

BIS:  The latest measures to help simplify development consents, by cutting red tape & creating a more open & competitive planning system, have been set out in the Government’s progress update to the Penfold Review.

The update, an important action from the Growth Review, details the progress since the Government’s response to the independent review published in November 2010.

Press release ~ Penfold Review of non-planning consents

DfE
:  Despite having undertaken training to achieve equivalent teacher training qualifications, qualified teachers from America, Canada, Australia & New Zealand still have to undertake further training & assessment before they are deemed ready to teach in schools in this country.

Michael Gove has recently announced that the Government intends to make changes so that teachers trained in these countries will be able to teach in our schools automatically.  The proposed changes are subject to a statutory consultation (later in 2011) and could come into effect from early 2012.  Ministers have also commissioned further research to see if the same changes could be applied to teachers from any other countries in future.

Press release & links

 

DCMS:  The Government has unveiled new Big Society plans to make it easier & more attractive to give time & money to good causes.  The Giving White Paper seeks to renew ’s culture of philanthropy by working with charities & businesses to support new ways for people to contribute.

It builds on other work to support philanthropy including changes to the tax system announced in the budget 2011, worth an estimated £600m to charities over the next 4 years.
Press release & links

DCMS:  The Government has yesterday announced that it is launching a review of film policy.  Former Culture Secretary, Chris Smith, will chair an 8-strong panel of industry experts including Oscar-winning actor & writer Julian Fellowes.

The panel will look across the film industry considering development & production, distribution & exhibition, and inward investment.  The review aims to identify the best ways to support successful business models that allow the film industry to contribute to economic growth, nurture talent and engage with audiences.  It is expected to report its findings later this year.
Press release & links

ScotGov
:  Offshore wind will deliver a whole new industry and a bright future for , new Energy Minister Fergus Ewing said recently on his first engagement.  An offshore wind portal was launched last week to showcase what can offer indigenous industry and new investors.
Press release & links

FID
:  Prime Minister Cameron and President Obama recently made a joint commitment to changing the lives of the 1.2bn poor people in the world today and accelerating progress towards the Millennium Development Goals by 2015.

During wide ranging talks they agreed to work together to bring peace & stability to fragile states such as and .  They also agreed to put mechanisms in place to ensure international aid is spent more effectively & accountably.
Press release & links

ScotGov
:  In his first major policy speech to the Parliament since being re-elected as First Minister, Mr Salmond said the new Government has an 'ambitious agenda' focusing on Scotland having control of her own destiny and a new partnership - the Social Wage - between politicians, public services and people to create the social and economic circumstances to allow Scots to meet their ambitions.
Press release ~ Read the First Minister's speech

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