Policy Statements and Initiatives

Home Office: A new poster campaign to raise awareness of the exploitation & trafficking of some women among men who pay for sex has been launched as part of the Government's six month review into tackling the demand for prostitution.
 
The posters are being piloted in men's toilets in pubs and clubs in Westminster and Nottingham.  They will be supported by online advertising, with additional advice on the UK Human Trafficking Centre's "Blue Blindfold" website.
 
A 2007 research report by the Child and Woman Abuse Studies Unit revealed the peak age for buying sex is 34, with men aged 20-40 counting for the majority.  Most are employed, around half are in a relationship and over a fifth have children.
Press release ~ Posters ~ Blue Blindfold ~ Child and Woman Abuse Studies Unit report: It’s like going to the supermarket ~ UK Action Plan on Tackling Human Trafficking ~ Council of Europe Convention on Human Trafficking ~ Human Trafficking Centre ~ Poppy scheme (scroll down) ~ Pentameter 2
 
ScotGov: Scotland's position as an international leader in the biotechnology field is to be strengthened with the creation of a £10m national life sciences institute in Dundee. The planned Scottish Institute for Cell Signalling will link with Dundee University's existing College of Life Sciences to create the strongest research complex of its kind in Europe.
 
It will create 40 jobs initially, become a new engine for the city's economy and help drive forward Scotland's £1bn life sciences sector. The Institute will concentrate on an emerging area of 'cell signalling', which has great potential for the development of drugs to treat cancer and chronic inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis.

The centre is expected to be operational towards the end of the year.  It will be sited on the top floor of the Sir James Black Centre at the University of Dundee. In March the Scottish Government announced the creation of a new Life Sciences modern apprenticeship to provide the firm foundations in skills to underpin this growing sector - aligning the country's skill base to areas of growth.
Press release ~ Life Sciences modern apprenticeship ~ Dundee University College of Life Sciences
 
ScotGov: Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs & the Environment, Richard Lochhead, has re-launched the Whole Farm Review Scheme (WFRS) which is intended to help farmers identify how best to maximise their business' potential.  The scheme offers increased grants, less paperwork and greater flexibility than its predecessor.
 
Application forms and the Scheme booklets are available from any of The Scottish Government's RPID local Area Offices or through the Scheme's own website.
Press release ~ ScotGov - Whole Farm Review Scheme (WRVS) ~ Scotland Rural Development Programme ~ Farm Business Adviser Accreditation Scheme for Scotland
 
CLG: Local Government Minister John Healey has published the framework - regulations & guidance - which the Government intends to put in place for the transfer & appointment of staff to the new unitary councils.  The framework, centred on the Government's commitment to TUPE protection for staff transferring to the new unitaries, also makes clear that councils should take full advantage of their new start to bring in fresh blood to their senior management teams, so that the best people are in place to lead & manage the new councils.
 
Draft Staffing Regulations & Guidance are being circulated to trade unions, Joint Implementation Teams and the Local Government Employers, for a two-week period for final comments.  The Regulations will provide that:
* all employees of councils which will cease to exist on 1 April 2009 who are in post immediately prior to that date will become employees of the new unitary councils
* those employees will transfer to the new councils on terms & conditions no less favourable than those that applied under their previous employer and
* the post of chief executive (head of paid service) of the new unitary council must be recruited by means of open competition
Press release ~ Written ministerial statement
 
ScotGov: The additional £40m per year identified by Lord Sutherland as vital for the delivery of free personal & nursing care across Scotland will be met by the Scottish Government, it has been confirmed. The additional funding was announced by Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing Nicola Sturgeon in her response to Lord Sutherland's independent review of Free Personal and Nursing Care policy.

Ms Sturgeon advised the Scottish Parliament that all the recommendations made by Lord Sutherland have been accepted and will form part of a wider package of measures being developed with local government. These include:
* additional funding of £40 million per year to local authorities from 2009/10
* legislation to clarify charging for food preparation and
* a more open and transparent system that explains how access to free personal & nursing care is managed
 
Ms Sturgeon also confirmed that the Scottish Government has asked that the decision by the UK Government to withdraw the Attendance Allowance - a decision criticised by Lord Sutherland in his review - be on the agenda at the next meeting of the UK Joint Ministerial Committee.
Press release ~ Lord Sutherland's independent review of Free Personal and Nursing Care policy ~ ScotGove – free personal care and nursing ~ JRF: Free personal care in Scotland ~ JRF: Lessons from the funding of long-term care in Scotland ~ Cash shortfall for Scotland's free care - Guardian
 
ScotGov: Following the publication of the Scottish Government's International Framework, details of the new International Development Policy have now been published, which is intended to help build mutually beneficial links with other countries and help people in some of the world's poorest countries to work themselves out of poverty.

The policy sets out the framework for our engagement with some of the poorest countries in Sub-Saharan Africa which have historical, and in some cases, contemporary relationships with Scotland.  More detailed information on the programme strands, including funding criteria, will be published in due course, following discussion with the Network of International Development Organisations in Scotland (NIDOS) and the Scotland Malawi Partnership on the detail and process.
Press release ~ Scottish Government International Development Policy ~ Scottish Government International Framework ~ Network of International Development Organisations in Scotland (NIDOS) ~ Scotland Malawi Partnership
 
ScotGov: The Scottish Government's refreshed China Plan has been unveiled. In line with both the International Framework and the Government Economic Strategy, the China Plan sets out the Government's aims & aspirations for its engagement with China with a view to maximising trade, increasing tourism and boosting inward investment.

The Scottish Government currently has 2 members of staff working out of the Scottish Affairs Office in the British Embassy Beijing, the First Secretary Scottish Affairs and a locally appointed Communications Officer.  This team is supported by the China Team within International Division. In addition, SDI has offices in Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong.  
Press release ~ The Scottish Government’s Plan for Engagement with China ~ Scottish Government International Framework ~ Scottish Government Economic Strategy
 
TSB: The Technology Strategy Board has revealed its 3-year strategic plan and outlined how it will promote & invest in technology-driven innovation for the benefit of business, to increase sustainable economic growth and to improve quality of life.
 
Launching the Board's strategic plan - Connect and Catalyse - a strategy for business innovation - Chief Executive Iain Gray summarised the Technology Strategy Board's role as "ensuring that the UK is in the forefront of technology-enabled innovation."
Press release ~ Connect and Catalyse – A strategy for business innovation ~ Watch a short video about strategy ~ Technology Strategy Board
 
WAG: The starting pistol has been fired in the race to find up to 16 people to serve on the Executive Committee of the All Wales Convention.  First Minister of Wales Rhodri Morgan said the net would be cast far & wide to ensure committee members truly represented every aspect of Welsh life. He also announced the setting up of the All Wales Convention website, which will keep the public up-to-date with its work.
Press release ~ One Wales: A progressive agenda for the government of Wales ~ All Wales Convention ~ All Wales Convention Website
 
DH: Care services Minister Ivan Lewis has announced £500,000 for Government research into the numbers of adults with autism and their specific transitions needs.  This prevalence study will inform the first ever Government strategy on adults with autism and Asperger's syndrome, due to be published next year.
 
The number of children with autism is as high as 1 in 100 (according to Prof. Baird's 2006 study) and this prevalence study will give the government a more accurate picture of how many adults have the condition.  Part of the new research will focus on the period of transition to adult life and will inform service planning for adults with Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASDs).
Press release ~ Adults with Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) ~ Research Autism ~ Autism Research Centre ~ National Autistic Society ~ Welsh Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Strategic Action Plan ~ Autism Cymru ~ The National Autistic Society - Wales ~ AWARES, the All Wales Autism Resource ~ Autism Connect ~ Autism Independent UK (SFTAH) ~ Autism Hub: Autism Related Blogs ~ Scottish Society for Autism ~ Autism Speaks - raising money for research into autism spectrum disorders ~ Welcome to the Autism Awareness Website ~ www.transporters.tv ~ Commissioning Services for People on the Autism Spectrum: Policy and Practice Guidance ~ World Autism Awareness Day ~ Scottish Autism Service Network ~ Educational Provision for Children with Autism in Scotland ~ NAS - make school make sense in Scotland ~ NES - Autism Learning Resource ~ Autism Alliance UK ~ Bercow Review website and Interim report ~ DH - Autism
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