Newsletter

Do the police ‘over-react’ on occasion? - The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is has published a progress report providing an update on the emerging findings of its review of investigations involving death following contact with the police, and the progress made & planned towards addressing the issues raised.
Press release & links ~ IPCC:  Deaths during or following police contact ~ Deaths in custody: new website ~ Independent Advisory Panel on Deaths in Custody ~ IPCC recommendations shape national guidance on custody handling ~ Second edition of the ACPO Guidance on the Safer Detention & Handling of Persons in Police Custody ~ CPS:  Deaths in custody ~ OU:  Deaths in police custody study ~ Police ‘gross failures’ contributed to death in cells, inquest jury finds ~ Police custody in Cheshire – positive & professional ~ IPCC investigating ‘near miss’ at Medway custody suite ~ IPCC publishes annual deaths during or following police contact for 2012/13 – mental health a key factor ~ Thematic review of mental health care announced ~ Police custody is regularly being used to detain people whose only ‘crime’ is that they are suffering from a mental disorder, a joint inspection has found ~ A criminal use of police cells? The use of police custody as a place of safety for people with mental health needs ~ NHS Confed:  Mental Health Network comments on use of police custody facilities as places of safety ~ IPCC publishes findings from investigation into death of man in Northumbria Police custody ~ IPCC investigation ongoing into South Yorkshire Police death in custody ~ Second investigation launched into Taser use at Lancashire Constabulary custody suite ~ Police Custody in Norfolk and Suffolk - joint working 'strikingly successful'

Can there be such a thing as ‘Global DP enforcement’? – The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has won a resolution in Warsaw which is set to see improved co-ordination between global data protection and privacy authorities.

The ICO led on the debate on international enforcement co-ordination at the 35th International Conference of Data Protection and Privacy Commissioners last week. The 2-day commissioners' conference was attended by delegates representing data protection authorities and privacy enforcement authorities from all over the world.  The ICO has won a resolution in Warsaw which is set to see improved co-ordination between global data protection and privacy authorities.
Press release & links ~ ICO:  Taking action - data protection & privacy and electronic communications ~ MEPs raise suspension of EU-US bank data deal ~ Smart borders: key proposal is costly, unproven and intrusive ~ Parliament to launch in-depth inquiry into US surveillance programmes ~ EDPS finds major deficiencies in anti-money laundering proposals ~ New specific rules for consumers when telecoms personal data is lost or stolen in EU ~ Commission calling for experts to identify safe and fair contract terms to boost cloud computing ~ 'Smart, sustainable, inclusive Europe': only with stronger and more effective data protection ~ Report highlights uncertainty on cost of EU data protection reform ~ MEPs back deal with Council on police access to asylum seekers’ fingerprints ~ The functions, powers and resources of the Information Commissioner  ~ Terrorist finance tracking: citizen's safeguards are in place ~ Assessment of law enforcement tools: no new databases needed at EU level ~ Justice Committee publishes report on the Committee's opinion on EU Data Protection framework proposals
  
Many doubt LAs actually provide a ‘place of safety’ - Ofsted has published its single framework for inspecting local authority services for vulnerable children, examining help, protection and care from the time it is first needed until a young person who is looked after has been successfully helped to start their lives as a young adult. The inspection is universal and will be conducted in a 3-year cycle.

Coming into effect from November 2013, the framework brings together into one inspection:

* child protection
* services for looked after children & care leavers
* local authority fostering & adoption services

Two other frameworks (which come into immediate effect) have also been published for inspecting:

* voluntary adoption agencies
* independent fostering services
Press release & links ~ LGA responds to DfE children's homes data ~ ICO responds to Michael Gove article in today's Daily Telegraph ~ Support for vulnerable families extended across Wales ~ Lack of evidence-based interventions risks leaving young people behind ~ Better quality care for vulnerable children ~ Sexually exploited children are still being failed ~ Revised safeguarding guidance for professionals working with children ~ Enhancing child protection ~ NHS leaders call on ministers to lead joining up of children's services ~ Help for children in care to achieve better school results ~ Working smarter to improve child protection ~ Help vulnerable children get the best start in life, says NICE ~ WAO - Education of Looked After Children Slowly Improving ~ TCS: Care system placing children in danger, parliamentary inquiry finds ~ Overhaul of alternative provision to fix ‘broken system’ and improve standards for vulnerable & disadvantaged children ~ Ofsted:  Double vulnerability through age & disability (6^th item) ~ Ofsted:  Why are they running from a ‘Place of Safety’? (3^rd item)
 
Financial help for entrepreneurs who want to bring ‘peace of mind’ to mothers returning to work by providing ‘safe’ childcare facilities - Anyone who wants to set up a new nursery or child-minding business can apply for grants of up to £500 to help cover the costs of things like training, equipment, insurance, and adaptations to premises.

The money, part of a £2m scheme launched in April 2013, is helping to get over 1,000 new start-ups off the ground and get more mothers back into the workplace.  Fledgling businesses are also being encouraged to team up with a free business mentor so they can access specially-tailored business start-up advice.  Charlie Bruin, Business Director, Central Government, at Liberata said: “Liberata is delighted to work with the Government in delivering this important initiative, which will be a real boost to the country’s childcare sector.”
Press release & links ~ Liberata ~ Tax-Free Childcare parents survey: still time to have your say ~ PX:  Cut tax free childcare for wealthiest families to help poorest children ~ Free childcare extended to working families on low incomes ~ New plan to improve opportunities for children announced ~ Childcare qualifications overhaul ~ Children's cognitive abilities relatively unaffected by having working mothers, latest analysis shows ~ Childcare: Commission calls on Member States to do more ~ Age UK - Grandparental care now worth £7.3b ~ Easing regulations around childcare is key to driving down costs ~ Quality nurseries urged to make full use of flexibility ~ Good early years get children off to a flying start, says Ofsted ~ New Bill will aid children and young people ~ Teach First Leadership Development Programme extended to early years

But will the future cost prove to be un-affordable? - Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and Finance Secretary John Swinney have pledged that all pensions in an independent will be paid on time & in full.  A Scottish Government paper – Pensions in an Independent Scotland – details the arrangements for state, private & public sector pensions that will follow a vote for independence.
Press release & links ~ AP:  Scottish independence uncertainty for pension schemes ~ Scottish Independence: ICAS publishes major pensions report

How plausible are the SNP Defence Plans? – Information published so far by the Scottish Government on the defence & security implications of Scottish independence falls far short of requirements, says the Defence Committee in its report;  ‘The defence implications of possible Scottish independence’.
Press release & links ~ Nuclear-free defence forces will save Scottish taxpayers almost £1bn

Bring a new meaning to ‘Open Government’ - The Open Standards Board has recommended the approval of the first open standards for government technology.  The adoption of open standards will give government bodies access to a wider marketplace of innovative suppliers by encouraging a level playing field for open source & proprietary software providers.
Press release & links

Will you find your sandwich fulfilling? – It’s bad enough when you finish your sandwich at lunch time and still feel hungry - imagine if you left your student sandwich placement feeling the same way.  Sign up for something you can really get your teeth into, by applying for a placement with STFC.
Press release & links

Call for applicants for NICE ambassadors - Applications are now open for the NICE Fellows & Scholars programme, as it enters its fifth year.  Completed applications must be submitted to NICE by 5pm on Friday 1 November 2013.
Press release & links

 Gartner Symposium ITxpo, November 10th -14th, Barcelona, Spain - Gartner Symposium/ITxpo is the world's most important gathering of CIOs and senior IT executives. Designed to deliver real-world insight, actionable advice and executive-level skill-building for a variety of roles and responsibilities, it is the only IT event that takes full advantage of the authority and weight of the world's leading IT research and advisory organization.

Accelerating growth. Creating new connections. Driving greater agility. A powerful convergence of forces — mobile, social, cloud and information — is rapidly reshaping how business gets done now and in the future. CIOs and senior IT executives are at the center of this transformation, leading the creation of the digital enterprise.
 
At Gartner Symposium/ITxpo 2013, attendees will discover how to seize new opportunities, forge strategic partnerships to drive change and evolve to become indispensable leaders in the digital world.
 

Ofgem's response to First Utility's calls for energy industry to move to one-day switching

LGA response to PAC report on Community Budgets

Final phase of work on Hammersmith Flyover to begin in October 2013

United Nations General Assembly 68 – (113 countries pledge action to end sexual violence in conflict #timetoact)

World Champ launches new Compact Athletics Facility

Sports Minister visits Yorkshire for Grand Départ update

IEA: Ed Balls fails to set out plan for growth  - (IEA - Ed Miliband fails to address the cause of rising living costs)

Active Universities reaches 100,000 students

Final flight of the VC10

Working dog unit returns from Afghanistan

Reservists join regular soldiers training in Germany

Final Type 45 destroyer commissioned

Afghans pass milestone for police training

PM announces Britain will host 2014 NATO Summit

Sussex landowner fined for damaging ancient coastal conservation site

Unistats updates help students make informed choices

Launch Announcement - Technology Strategy Board Goes Live on Wired-GOV

Health Minister announces £88m for mental health unit

LGA secures further £21m from failed Icelandic bank

First homes benefit after Government investment to improve mobile coverage nationwide

HMRC launches graduate recruitment drive

Share your experiences to mark 150th anniversary of Paddington to Hammersmith branch

Who has the X factor?

FSA statement on Salmonella Gold-coast incident

IPCC confirms that the risks to the UK from global warming remain substantial – DECC response to IPCC Fifth Assessment Report (AR5)

Communities Minister outlines commitment to tackling hate crime

Independence pensions promise

DFID Research: Measuring the impact of sovereign disaster risk finance & insurance

Holiday Park questionnaire launched

Expansion of Gaelic teaching

A life saved every 3 minutes – Britain leads the way in fight against HIV/AIDS, TB & malaria

UK pledge to help tackle the ‘great neglect’ of disability

Ministers to decide on Welsh Streets demolition proposals

Support for families

Drive for greener buildings

Green light for £130m new housing grant scheme

Cash boost for councils backing neighbourhood planning

New parking reform proposals to support local shops and high streets – (LGA: Councils respond to Government's parking announcement)

Review of Industry Training Boards (ITBs) – (23 November 2013)

NICE consults on clinical guideline static list – (23 October 2013)

Ofcom invites views on its priorities for 2014/15 – (24 October 2013)

Consultation on co-operative & community benefit societies – a consolidation of the law – (15 November 2013)

Additional Consultations:  Readers should be aware that many consultations are never publicised with a press release, so do not appear in either the email alerts or Wired - GOV Plus.  Many of these consultations (& subsequent conclusions) can be found at the following links:
GOV.UK consultations ~ Current ScotGov consultations ~ Recently added WAG consultations

Quality standard could help ‘transform care’ for mothers of twins and triplets

Quality standard highlights need for greater awareness of men presenting with LUTS

Monitor clarifies process on awarding foundation trust status

More patients waiting in NHS A&E departments
 

Independent hospital in Nottinghamshire needs to make improvements to ensure it protects people’s safety & welfare

NHS complaints

Adopting Big Data analytics used by commercial sector could help save money and lives at MOD

Public Attitude Surveys

Today’s children will bear brunt of climate change UNICEF UK warns - (Report)

Counterfeit goods and criminality

IfL comments on OECD review of vocational education and training

CIPD - Employers link staff benefits provision to business strategy, reports CIPD

Westminster City Council left 40 homeless families in B&B accommodation for too long

Scottish Health Survey

Countryside benefits from speeded up broadband roll out

Ofcom publishes Digital Radio Report 2013

Younger disabled people enjoying the benefits of being online

FCA review of medium-sized firms’ PPI complaints handling finds significant room for improvement

Launch of FSA’s Chief Scientist report on science & evidence

JRF - Ethnic minority low paid workers face more barriers to promotion

More children adopted than ever before

Risk in China’s financial markets

Socitm data shows best & worst council services online

Committee publishes report on the Rural Broadband programme

Cornwall Council agrees remedy with businessman following planning error – (Report 12 005 870 Cornwall Council)

IFS: Welsh Government faces tough choices balancing spending over the next 12 years as cuts continue

Wales Audit: Welsh Local Government getting better at Planning, Delivering and Reporting Improvements

Work Programme: more than 168,000 people escape long-term unemployment – (Work Programme is still failing to help vulnerable people, says TUC ~ PX: Public overwhelmingly supports work-for-your-benefits schemes ~ Benefit cap successfully in place nationwide)

CBI/EC Harris unveil blueprint for delivery of next generation of UK towns and cities

A nation of culture vultures

CIPD: Lack of support for managers leads to leadership problems and crisis of organisational culture

OFT issues statement of objections in mobility scooters sector

CC retains BBC magazine undertakings

CC to investigate construction materials merger

Reforming the law on level crossings

CAB - Landmark employment tribunal win for Oxford CAB could bring future challenges

Barclays Bank employee prosecuted for illegally accessing customer’s account

Legal challenge launched into new rules on bankers’ pay

Games industry should not pressure children to purchase, says OFT

IPCC launches investigation in to contact by Metropolitan Police Service officers with Leytonstone woman before her death

Statement on amendments to the Transparency Bill

Rural support schemes to continue

A city we like: sustainable solutions for European cities

Commission presents new EU forest strategy based on new, broader, approach to forest

EU is making major contribution to global fight against poverty

Turkish nationals do not have the right to enter the territory of an EU Member State without a visa in order to obtain services

ERA progress report: 'single market' for research closer, not yet a reality

Banking union tops agenda in discussion with Draghi

MEPs raise suspension of EU-US bank data deal

Gibraltar: European Commission sends a technical fact finding mission

Reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP): Political agreement reached on last remaining points – (CAP reform deal: MEPs ensure significant improvements in future farm policy)

Klaus Regling quizzed about wider lending role for European Stability Mechanism

Reform of the Court of Justice will be discussed in Vilnius

Without a strong industrial base, Europe's economy cannot prosper

Amending EU budget 2013 in line with MFF political agreement

Health MEPs call for stricter controls on medical devices

Commission launches 'Opening up Education' to boost innovation & digital skills in schools and universities

Advocate General Kokott considers that both mothers have the right to receive maternity leave in the case of legal surrogacy – (According to Advocate General Wahl, a right to paid leave of absence from employment to parents of a child born through a surrogacy arrangement cannot be inferred from EU law)

€660m in EU funding to top researchers

Electoral rights: Commission action ensures EU citizens can cast their vote in European and local elections

EU programmes for research & small firms in 2014-2020 approved

EU master plan for raw materials: innovation is the key

EU and FAO help 6 countries achieve the Millennium Development Goal on hunger

Charities' employment support for Armed Forces

UK Government announces Gift Aid boost to Flanders War Memorial appeal

Cabinet Office backs search for public sector’s best mutual

Sainsbury’s 2013 School Games final

Video: Sanctioned - how does it feel to be homeless & sanctioned?

Affordable computers for charities

PM supports Grenadier Guards on their Waterloo charity challenge

Help Learn my way grow for your learners

RoSPA aims to extinguish Christmas electrical fires with boost from national charity

CAB - Landmark employment tribunal win for Oxford CAB could bring future challenges

Stroke patients to hit right notes thanks to Culture for All funding

VSO reacts to UN summit on Millennium Development Goals

Paralympics musicians win Big Society Award

Review of Industry Training Boards (ITBs)

Launch of week to inspire small food & drink businesses to export

UK Trade & Investment CEO outlines support available to Welsh companies

Whitehall on the hunt for senior leaders to save more for taxpayers

Small businesses warned about importance of encryption, after London sole trader fined £5,000

Supporting the creative economy report published

London-Hong Kong RMB Forum: further development of offshore RMB market strengthened

First open standards for government technology endorsed

UK employers receive reservist challenge

Global Centre of Excellence plans supported by Welsh Government

Research call on official controls on meat

Award of Smart Meters DCC Licence

BIS backs search for Britain's best employee owned business

Ofcom invites applications for 11 further local TV licences

£3.7m expansion for ConvaTec supported by Welsh Government

Ordnance Survey uses OS OpenData to create a Minecraft map of Great Britain

Essex Thameside and Thameslink, Southern and Great Northern invitations to tender published

GACS to hold open meeting

Positive response to Facilities Management Contracting Model

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