Policy Statements and Initiatives

WAG: The Welsh Assembly Government has begun the process of recruiting business professionals to help deliver a key ‘One Wales’ commitment.  The ‘One Wales’ programme commits the Assembly Government to the creation of a Strategic Capital Investment Board (SCIB), which will initially control a dedicated £400m fund that will be allocated to capital investment projects over the next three years.

The Assembly Government is looking for up to seven business professionals with a strong appreciation of the economic scene in Wales and private capital & corporate finance expertise.  The closing date for those wishing to apply is the 8 May 2008. It is expected interviews will be held during June 2008.
Press release ~ WAG - One Wales: A progressive agenda for the government of Wales ~
WAG - Finance ~ One Wales Delivery Plan 2007-2011
 
ScotGov: Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon announced funding of £6m to tackle childhood obesity at a recent international summit on health inequalities hosted in Edinburgh. The funding will help at least 20,000 overweight & obese children and forms a key part of the Scottish Government's agenda for tackling health inequalities.

Health boards will be tasked with setting up family-focused healthy weight treatment programmes for children aged between 5 and 15. Designed to engage children in practical and educational sessions, the programmes will promote healthy eating & physical activity and address the psychological, social and behavioural causes of weight gain.
Press release ~ ScotGov – Health & Community Care ~ Health of Scotland’s population - Obesity ~ Healthy Living Scotland ~ Sportscotland ~ National Food Discussion ~ Physical Activity Council ~ BMA Scotland ~ Child Health - obesity
 
ScotGov: Plans identifying cash savings of £600m over the next financial year have been published by the Scottish government. The Efficiency Delivery Plans also contain details of how the government will move towards 2% savings in both 2009/10 and 2010/11.

Examples where savings will be made include:
* Drug Purchasing
* Countering NHS Fraud
* Through analysing Forestry Commission Scotland’s assets against meeting SG objectives
Press release ~ Efficiency Delivery Plans 2008-11 - March 2008 ~ Building a Better Scotland ~ ScotGov - Efficient Government ~ improvement service ~ ScotGov - Open scotland
 
WAG: Minister for Social Justice and Local Government, Dr Brian Gibbons, has visited Treorchy Comprehensive School to see a new anti-grass arson education initiative in action.  Police and Fire officers are working together to deliver talks to Key Stage 3 pupils in comprehensive schools all over Wales, targeting areas that have traditionally been affected by a high number of mountain and grass fires.
 
During these talks, pupils watch a specially commissioned DVD which shows the dangers & implications of deliberate fires.  The officers will then leave an education pack with teachers to help them facilitate follow-up workshops.
Press release ~ Firebrake Wales ~ WAG - Social justice ~ WAG - Community safety ~ WAG - Fire and rescue
Spotlight on women at Serco – Anita’s story