WIREDGOV NEWSLETTER ARCHIVE
Wired-Gov.net: Victim of our own success – The evolvement of two factors over the last year have persuaded us that we need to consider some minor changes to the way we deliver both the alert system emails and the WG Plus newsletter, both driven by our success in increasing our scope of operations.
HMT: Not much to celebrate - The Chancellor, George Osborne, announced in his Budget, ‘plans to reform the nation's economy and steps to help families with the cost of living. The Budget confirms that the Government will stick to its plan to reduce the deficit and sets out a new model of economic growth, based on investment, manufacturing and exports, where prosperity is shared across all regions and across all sectors’.
* The first section of Chapter one describes the source of the imbalances in the UK economy and how the Government is tackling the fiscal & economic challenges this has caused. It also contains a summary of the Office for Budget Responsibility's Economic & Fiscal Outlook.
* The second section of Chapter one outlines the Budget announcements to support balanced economic growth & job creation.
* The third section of Chapter one outlines the announcements made for the personal tax & benefit system in more detail.
Main Budget press release ~ Budget speech ~ 2011 Budget ~ OBR forecasts ~ Plan for growth ~ Overview of Tax changes ~ HMT Growth PR ~ No 10 PR ~ CLG Budget PR ~ DfT: Government doubles funding for pothole repairs ~ Wales Office PR ~ DfT: Local transport projects given green light as cost savings are found ~ CLG: Changes in Housing & Planning will drive local growth ~ CLG: Budget is boost for first time buyers ~ DCMS: Chancellor announces tax breaks for philanthropists ~ Treasury Committee to conduct inquiry into Budget 2011 ~ WAG: Missed opportunity for Wales ~ Socitm: Budget misses IT/digital opportunity ~ STFC: Chancellor announces more than £20m capital funding for STFC science ~ IFS: Budget 2011 – an initial response ~ STFC on Budget statement ~ PwC: enterprise measures ~ PwC: Green Investment Bank ~ Unionlearn welcomes expansion of apprentice numbers ~ CBI reaction to Budget ~ King’s Fund: General Practice must embrace change to improve quality of patient care ~ KPMG: Pensions annoucements signal start of long process of change ~ KPMG: Creation of 50,000 new apprenticeship places ~ CIPD: Jobs, the moratorium on employment regulation for small firms and pension reform ~ Deloitte: Charities and charitable giving ~ NHS Confederation: Reaction and briefing for members ~ IfG: Budget talk – Governments and growth ~ FDA / ARC comment ~ Chancellor gives new Budget box first public outing ~ Deloitte: Implications for travel and aviation sectors ~ NLGN comments ~ LGA responds to budget ~ nef response ~ ippr: Long on small ideas, short of big vision ~ Work Foundation response ~ WWF response ~ iea: Budget doesn’t do enough for growth ~ ASI: Budget for growth doesn’t go far enough ~ CAB response ~ BHF: 2011 Budget helpful for UK Heart Health ~ KPMG: Creative industries can support UK growth ~ NLGN says Government must avoid creating ‘gated business community’ in declaring deprived areas ‘Enterprise Zones’ ~ CBI – Think Small First ~ TWF: Ready, Steady, Grow? How the government can support the development of more high growth firms ~ PwC comments on latest inflation figures
EU News: Tax Revenue & Power are not the only things that we are short of - The European Commission has published a report on Member States' progress in addressing water scarcity & droughts. The balance between water demand & availability has reached a critical level in many areas of Europe, a trend that is expected to become more marked as climate change progresses.
In the run up to a major water policy review in 2012, this report presents the water management measures introduced by Member States to tackle water scarcity & droughts and highlights the areas for further action. In 2009-10 water scarcity occurred in much of Southern Europe – due to limited water resources, high demand for water & less rain.
The report confirms that water scarcity & drought is not limited to Mediterranean countries. Recent studies show that by 2050 most European regions are expected to be under medium or severe water stress – mainly due to unsustainable water use, exacerbated by the effects of climate change.
Press release ~ Third report on the progress in addressing water scarcity & droughts in Europe ~ Water Scarcity & Droughts in the EU ~ Water Scarcity report (2009) ~ Anna Walker’s independent review of water charging & metering ~ Water Resources Strategy Action Plans and Strategies for England & Wales ~ Part G (sanitation, hot water safety and water efficiency) of the Building Regulations ~ Water Efficiency Calculator for New Dwellings ~ Research to review the Code for Sustainable Homes water calculator: Final report ~ Research to review the Code for Sustainable Homes water calculator: Annex ~ Code for Sustainable Homes ~ Ofwat - International comparisons - water efficiency ~ International comparisons: 2008 report ~ Ofwat: Sustainability ~ Ofwat: Long-term planning ~ Ofwat’s response to the European Commission’s public debate on the future of the Common Agricultural Policy ~ International comparison of water and sewerage service 2007 report ~ National Water Conservation Group ~ Consumer Council for Water ~ Water UK: The future of water resources in the UK ~ Sustainability Indicators 2009-10 ~ Meeting Future Challenges – a blueprint for policy action ~ Waterwise ~ Waterwise evidence base report ~ Defra: Water conservation ~
HO: Bringing better health and some purpose into their lives - At a launch of a new report which suggests that sports projects can be really effective in tackling youth crime, the crime prevention minister, James Brokenshire, has reiterated the need for early intervention. He said: “This report highlights just how important it is that we intervene in the early stages with young people on the cusp of getting involved in crime, ensuring they have positive engagement with mentors, peers and role models. Sport is an excellent way to achieve this”.
The report measured 3 sports-based projects, The Boxing Academy, Kickz and 2nd Chance. It suggested that they have been highly effective and can even save the government money. The report found that The Boxing Academy based in Tottenham, costs half as much as a pupil referral unit and has lower re-offending rates. It also revealed that one Kickz project saved £7 for every £1 invested, by reducing costs to victims, police, prisons and courts.
The minister is encouraging organisations working to prevent young people from getting involved in gang crime to apply for government funding.
Press release ~ Kickz project ~ Positive Futures programme ~ The Boxing Academy - Tottenham ~ Teenage Kicks - The Value of Sport in Tackling Youth Crime ~ 2nd Chance ~ AC: Sport and leisure, anti-social behaviour and young people ~ 'Whatever, yeah? Local councils and youth provision' ~ Sport and youth offending ~ Ruff guide to sport and youth crime ~ Investment in sport enterprise can combat gang culture ~ Sport, recreational and physical activity programmes and youth justice ~
CLG: It might be ‘socially ok’ in a corporately owned building, but all too often it impacts on ordinary people - Housing Minister, Grant Shapps, has ‘locked the door’ on squatters' rights, by strengthening the Government's advice to homeowners looking to protect their properties. The Government will take steps in the New Year to make squatting a criminal offence - but the Minister argued that now was the time to redress the balance and make sure homeowners were fully aware of their rights.
Published jointly with the Ministry of Justice, the strengthened guidance offers reassurance to homeowners that squatters are not above the law - and that there are steps they can take if a squatter invades their home. Owners can get helpful tips online on how to protect their homes from burglars - many of which may also be useful in protecting their properties from squatters.
The guidance also clarifies the 'legal warning' squatters often post on the front door. While this warning often states it would be a criminal offence to use or threaten violence to enter the property this is a distortion of the law as it stands - it does not apply to displaced residential occupiers trying to get back into their homes.
Press release ~ Advice on dealing with squatters in your home ~ Tips for homeowners on protecting their homes from burglars ~ Related previous press release ~ Another PR ~ Directgov: Squatters and unauthorised occupants ~ Squatters in Rental Property - How to Remove Squatters ~ Shelter - Squatting
EU News: Not many people know this! - During emergencies & crises, such as in Japan, Libya or Egypt, EU citizens abroad have the right to ask for assistance from any EU consulate or embassy when their Member State is not represented in the country.
EU Member States must also help citizens evacuate as if they were their own nationals. The EU Treaties and the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights guarantee this right, which is a key part of EU citizenship. Protection also covers everyday situations, like a passport being stolen, a serious accident or illness.
Press release ~ Consular Protection for EU Citizens
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