.gif)
WIREDGOV NEWSLETTER ARCHIVE
| Reading this report, something doesn’t add up |
|
On UN International Literacy Day (8/09/2014), the BIS Select Committee published a report recommending the Government launch a high-profile campaign to tackle the alarmingly low levels of adult literacy & numeracy in England. In light of an OECD survey of 24 countries ranking England & Northern Ireland 22nd for literacy and 21st for numeracy, the Committee also calls for a more joined-up Government approach to tackling the problem, improved funding arrangements, and better assessment & support of the literacy & numeracy needs of unemployed people. The Committee found that adults struggling most at English & maths are not getting the help & support needed. While the Government pledges free training & tuition for any adult who wishes to study English & maths up to and including GCSE level, the Committee heard that adults with the most limited English & maths skills were not aware of the support available. |
| Researched Links: |
|
|
| De-Stressing the working environment can pay dividends |
|
The rising number of working days lost to mental illness creates huge personal suffering and huge costs to the economy. We need to do more to help people with mental illness stay in work, Chief Medical Officer, Dame Sally Davies, says in her latest annual report focusing on the mental health of the nation. With the number of working days lost to stress, depression & anxiety increasing by 24% since 2009, the CMO has called for NICE to analyse the cost benefit of fast-tracking access to treatment for working people who may fall out of work due to mental illness. Rapid access to treatment could improve people’s chances of staying in work. The CMO also recommends simple changes to help people with mental illness stay in work by offering flexible working hours and employers making early & regular contact with employees on sick leave. |
| Researched Links: |
| Changing jobs? Be careful whom you keep in touch with and for what purpose |
|
The ICO is warning employees that walking off with the personal information of their employer when changing jobs is a criminal offence. Recently a paralegal, who moved to a rival firm, was prosecuted for illegally taking the sensitive information of over 100 people with him. The individual had hoped to use the information (which included workload lists, file notes & template documents, but still contained sensitive personal data) in his new role. |
| Researched Links: |
| Are you ‘Appy’ about the uses your personal data are put too? |
|
In a second press release the ICO highlights a survey of over 1,200 mobile apps by 26 privacy regulators from across the world has shown that a high number of apps are accessing large amounts of personal information without adequately explaining how people’s information is being used. In 2013, the ICO published ‘Privacy in Mobile Apps’ guidance to help app developers handle people’s information correctly and meet their requirements under the UK Data Protection Act. Research carried out at its launch showed that 49% of app users have decided not to download an app due to privacy concerns. |
| Researched Links: |
| North of England to ‘forge’ development of new industries |
|
The Chancellor has welcomed plans for a potential major new National Institute for Materials Research & Innovation. Central to the plan is the opportunity to build on the north’s expertise in materials science – the development of super lightweight, strong & flexible materials that have applications across a range of industries. Recent breakthroughs include safer nuclear fuels that can operate at high temperatures helping to prevent nuclear disasters such as Fukushima; a super strong steel replacement that can operate at extreme pressure allowing access to hard to reach oil & gas reserves; and biodegradable implants that dissolve safely in the body for use in reconstruction surgery – particularly for burns and cleft lip and palate treatment – vastly improving results and reducing discomfort. The Chancellor also announced that The University of Manchester is to build a £60m Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre (GEIC), which will complement and build on the UK National Graphene Institute, also located at The University of Manchester and which is nearing completion. |
| Researched Links: |
|
| Doorstep Traders cannot avoid ‘Right to Cancel’ |
|
The CMA has welcomed the Supreme Court’s ruling that a consumer who entered into a doorstep selling contract was ‘entitled to cancel his contract & get his money back when a trader failed to tell him about his legal right to cancel’. In deciding that the consumer was entitled to cancel the contract at any time & obtain a refund, the Supreme Court’s judgment clarifies the law and fills an important gap for doorstep selling contracts entered into before 13 June 2014. A final career boost from senior to top NHS management - Applications are now open for the prestigious NICE Fellows & Scholars programme, as it enters its sixth year. The roles offer the chance for individuals to benefit from professional development opportunities and to meet & work with likeminded colleagues working in health, public health & social care from across the UK. The 10 Fellowships available each last for 3 years and are suited to medical & clinical directors, directors of nursing, heads of midwifery, directors of finance, heads of services for the allied health professions, directors of adults & children’s services, and directors of provider services in social care. Completed applications must be submitted to NICE by 5pm on Friday 14 November 2014. |
| Researched Links: |
| A final career boost from senior to top NHS management |
|
Applications are now open for the prestigious NICE Fellows & Scholars programme, as it enters its sixth year. The roles offer the chance for individuals to benefit from professional development opportunities and to meet & work with likeminded colleagues working in health, public health & social care from across the UK. The 10 Fellowships available each last for 3 years and are suited to medical & clinical directors, directors of nursing, heads of midwifery, directors of finance, heads of services for the allied health professions, directors of adults & children’s services, and directors of provider services in social care. Completed applications must be submitted to NICE by 5pm on Friday 14 November 2014. |
| Researched Links: |
| Even that 2% will be a smaller amount if UK splits |
|
While the UK government has called upon European NATO members to meet the Alliance’s target for 2% of GDP to be spent on defence, the UK itself is currently on course to fall below this level in the fiscal year that begins in April 2015, according to a new RUSI Briefing Paper. |
| Researched Links: |
| Awards for those who encourage ‘little acorns’ |
|
Sport England and the Daily Mirror have joined forces to launch the Pride of Sport Awards to celebrate unsung local heroes. The awards promote grassroots sport and recognise the achievements of people who devote their time to community sport in England. Nominations will close on Friday 24 October. |
| Researched Links: |
| Protection from ‘dodgy’ lenders? |
|
The CJEU has clarified the scope of consumer protection in the case of a charge on the family home. Since the right to accommodation is a fundamental right, it must be taken into consideration by the national court when implementing the Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Directive |
| Researched Links: |
| A benefit of the EU! |
|
Millions of people will enjoy free access to thousands of historic & cultural sites, many of which are normally closed to the public, in 50 countries throughout September as part of the annual European Heritage Days, which is a joint initiative of the EC and Council of Europe, supported by national and local organisers. |
| Researched Links: |
| Could you ensure a ‘level playing-field’ for competing demands for flood protection in Somerset & surrounding areas? |
|
The Environment Agency is looking for a new Chairman for the Wessex Regional Flood & Coastal Committee (RFCC), which covers Somerset, Dorset, Bristol, most of Wiltshire and parts of Gloucestershire & Hampshire. They will have a key role in balancing local priorities and making sure that investment is co-ordinated at the river catchment & shoreline scale, as well as championing the consideration of climate change impacts in local decision making. The closing date for applications is noon on Friday 19 September 2014. Interviews are expected to take place in the week commencing 20 October 2014. |
| Researched Links: |
|
|
|
More news, opinions, documents, claims & counter-claims; |
| Researched Links: |
|
Scottish Referendum voting period special
