WIREDGOV NEWSLETTER ARCHIVE
Real-life examples of how Google for Work is helping the public sector to cut costs while improving service delivery This latest white paper outlines ten examples where Google for Work solutions, supplied through G-Cloud, are helping public sector organisations meet the challenges and seize the opportunities created by adopting new technologies in the 4 key areas of Cloud, Mobility, Big Data and Social. Click here to download this indispensable guide to how Google is currently helping public sector organisations address their current challenges, providing a platform to experiment, innovate and move further along the road to “digital maturity” - without breaking the bank. |
Roadmap to a ‘Fiscally’ United Europe |
The presidents of 5 European institutions have published a report entitled ‘Completing Europe’s Economic and Monetary Union’, commissioned by leaders at the Euro Summit in October 2014. The report, written by the presidents of the European Council, the European Commission, the European Parliament, the Eurogroup and the European Central Bank, lays out a roadmap for further integration of the euro area. ECB President Mario Draghi said. “We need a quantum leap in European integration”. The presidents also advocate eventually establishing a euro area treasury to jointly take decisions about certain elements of national budgets. In spring 2017, the EC will make specific proposals on how to pool sovereignty further. |
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Roadmap for the future of the Economic and Monetary Union 5 Presidents' Report sets out plan for strengthening Europe's EMU as of 1 July 2015 Options for the UK in the event of a vote to leave the EU Even though the proposed FTT will have the greatest impact on the UK |
Let’s hope ‘pooling’ works better for the NHS than for the euro group |
A new report commissioned by the Local Government Association (LGA) and based on sector views, proposes to the Government to use next month's Budget to divert £1.3bn into a transformation fund each year until 2019/20, equalling a fund of £5.2bn by the end of the decade, to develop a new health & social care system. The report identifies the significant contribution that preventative measures can make. For example, spending just £1 on local friendship networks can save almost 4 times that amount on mental health services whilst £1 spent on school-based smoking & bullying prevention can save as much as £15. The report also recommends that the transformation fund should be supported by a pooled health & social care budget of at least £6.6bn in 2016/17, eventually leading to the pooling of all money for health & social care. |
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LGA: Invest £5.2bn in prevention to overhaul health & social care, Government urged We won’t be able to afford the NHS unless we ‘solve’ this problem Cinderella needs a Fairy Godmother urgently NICE: Supporting people who need social care, as they move between hospital & home NHS England: Sampling the Debenham experience – Professor Alistair Burns and Professor John Young |
You may get more than you wanted purchasing online |
The government has launched a new online cyber security training course. The interactive course will help people working in procurement protect themselves, their businesses & their suppliers from cyber-attack. The training is freely available online & will help UK businesses protect themselves from information breaches and other threats potentially costing £ms. Procurement professionals deal with a ‘wide range of sensitive commercial & financial information which is central to the successful operation of many businesses’. The course will increase awareness of common cyber risks & threats procurement professionals may experience in the workplace and how to prevent & deal with them. It provides advice on how to safeguard digital information, raise awareness of cyber issues with suppliers and gives examples of how to deal with issues such as information breaches in the workplace. |
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BIS: New cyber security training to boost procurement security |
Will this end the ‘Blame Game’ |
Changes came into force recently that will make it easier for millions of consumers to change to a new broadband or landline deal. As of Saturday 20 June, a new ‘one touch’ process places the responsibility for the broadband or landline switch entirely in the hands of the company to which the customer is moving. |
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A true medical advance |
MenB and MenACWY vaccination programmes launched this summer will protect babies & young people against the meningococcal bacterium. |
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DH: New programmes to protect against meningitis & septicaemia |
Time to start reading Dickens again? |
A return to low solar activity not seen for centuries could increase the chances of cold winters in Europe and eastern parts of the United States but wouldn't halt global warming, according to new research. Some solar physicists believe there's an increased risk that we're heading towards the lower end of a cycle - last seen during the so-called 'Maunder Minimum' which ended 300 years ago. This coincided with colder winters in the UK & Europe, with 'frost fairs' held numerous times on a frozen River Thames. |
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Met Office: Scientists show a decline in solar activity could not halt global warming |
‘Root & Branch’ reform is so difficult to achieve despite the best of intentions |
PM David Cameron has announced a new Child Protection Taskforce to ‘drive forward fundamental reforms to protect the most vulnerable children in our society and give them the opportunity to succeed’. It will join 10 other implementation taskforces already established across government to monitor & drive delivery of the government’s cross-cutting priorities. The taskforce’s work will build on the government’s reforms to create a care system that ‘puts children’s needs first’. This includes the appointment of a Chief Social Worker to champion reform in the profession, a £400m investment in social work training, and cuts to bureaucracy to free up social workers to do what they do best. |
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PM announces new taskforce to transform child protection NCA: Rotherham investigation update LGA: Calls from councils for disruption orders to combat child grooming Unlike Manchester, No TV headlines for this report! IPCC update on investigation into Essex Police’s north Child Abuse Investigations Team |
Read about how the government design & provision of services is being changed from John, one of GDS’s technical architects |
‘I’m here to make sure government stories are a success, using my years of experience within the technology sector. As a consulting architect, I’m to bridge the gap between GDS and other departments & agencies, helping communicate best practices. It’s my job to help define & design government systems & processes to meet user needs, and this involves making sure all stakeholders are on the same page’. |
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GDS: Government technology boring? Not from where I’m standing |
New challenges, new solutions for law & order |
The police service must change further in order to meet the needs of the public within a climate of continuing budget pressures, according to a group of experts from across the policing spectrum. A short discussion document detailing options to be considered in the national debate has been produced through 2 national events and public consultation through polling & focus groups. This document is intended to encourage the next stage of the debate, with further views sought from the police service, interested parties and the public. |
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HMIC: Stimulating a sea-change in policing Will it be enough to restore public trust in police standards? Police will have to ‘Stop & Think’ first Police disciplinary hearings to be held in public Home Secretary announces £10m Police Knowledge Fund Home Secretary's College of Policing speech Police & Crime Commissioners welcome new plans to coordinate chief police officers |
NHS Agency staff costing too much? |
A new agreement has been launched to help the NHS, and other public sector bodies, reduce their reliance on agency staff and save money. The new Workforce Management agreement has been developed to help the NHS manage their workforce in an efficient way, by increasing the use of flexible workers (known as bank workers in the NHS). |
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Crown Commercial Service: New agreement launched to help NHS reduce reliance on agency staff |
Better value for money |
The government’s Major Projects Authority (MPA) published its annual report. This is part of an on-going commitment to improve project management and transparency for taxpayers, as well as making greater efficiency savings. A number of projects have successfully completed over the last year. These include the Home Office’s National Crime Agency and The Cabinet Office’s Electoral Registration Transformation Programme. |
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Cabinet Office: Major Projects Authority annual report shows improvements to government projects |
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More news, opinions, documents, claims & counter-claims; |
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Wales Office: Welsh Secretary - Time has come for National Assembly to become a Parliament ScotGov: Scottish role in future of BBC ScotGov: Rallying call on new powers for Scotland Electoral Commission: New report on the Scotland referendum can offer lessons for future referendums |