WIREDGOV NEWSLETTER ARCHIVE
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Unforeseen consequences? |
Tax increases on the development of new homes to rent are leaving young people unable to access the homes they need. That’s the conclusion of new research published into the impact of recent tax changes in the rental market by the RLA research exchange, PEARL. Last week also saw an announcement to coincide with the Residential Landlords Association’s 20th birthday. It has undergone a total rebrand to reflect the changing landscape of the private rented sector (PRS) and the dynamic attitudes of modern landlords. |
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Residential Landlords Association: Rented Housing Tax Hikes Hitting Young People RLA: Welcome Home: RLA reveals new identity London is the exception NOT the rule |
Smart to be safe |
‘Smart’ devices such as televisions, toys & speakers will be expected to have built-in tough new security measures that last the lifetime of the product, as part of plans to keep the nation safe from cyber threats. Estimates show every household in the UK owns at least 10 internet connected devices and this is expected to increase to 15 devices by 2020, meaning there may be more than 420m in use across the country within three years. Poorly secured devices threaten individuals’ online security, privacy, safety, and could be exploited as part of large-scale cyber attacks. Recent high-profile breaches putting people’s data & security at risk include attacks on smart watches, CCTV cameras and children’s dolls. Developed in collaboration with the National Cyber Security Centre, manufacturers & retailers the Government’s Secure by Design review lays out plans to embed security in the design process rather than bolt them on as an afterthought. The Government will work with industry to implement a rigorous new Code of Practice to improve the cyber security of consumer internet-connected devices & associated services while continuing to encourage innovation in new technologies. |
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DCMS: New measures to boost cyber security in millions of internet-connected devices techUK help inform the development of the Smart London Plan ScotGov: Strengthening cyber resilience ESRC/Turing Fellowships awarded to improve understanding of 'Smart' and 'Happy' cities Cabinet Office publishes Interim Cyber Security Science & Technology Strategy CBI: Security & skills the top concerns for companies investing in new tech UK Must Drive Digital Connectivity from Good to Great for World-Leading Economy Purchasing Power to Secure the IoT – A US solution Enabling Benefits of the IoT through new Industry Trust Principle Advice to parents after reports that children's smartwatches can be hacked New generation of smart cars will now be better protected from hackers New assessment warns industry that cyber criminals are imitating nation state attacks At £11bn are they a cost effective idea as you WILL end up paying for them? |
SME Supplier Locator update... | ||
UK Government and public sector spend with SME’s is continually on the increase and by 2020, it is the stated intent of Cabinet Office that £1 of every £3 spent on government contracts goes to SME’s. The past 5 years have seen government make a priority of getting money through its supply chain into the hands of SMEs, by both setting targets and introducing new procurement mechanisms. Against this backdrop, the WiredGov Supplier Locator service has been developed specifically to embrace the SME Agenda and provide the ideal platform for SME’s to promote their services, solutions, accreditation and success stories directly to our ever increasing audience across all government and public sector verticals and Tier 1 suppliers. Recent arrivals to the SME Supplier Locator service include:
Click here to find out more. |
‘Five Alive’ |
The Cabinet Office has announced that G-Cloud 10 will be delivered in June 2018. It will enable new suppliers to be added to the framework, allow existing suppliers to add new services & for prices to be changed. techUK: Plans for G-Cloud 10 Framework Announced |
Emergency funding |
Following recent heavy snowfalls, Ministers will consider financial assistance for local councils under the Bellwin Scheme. It is now open for applications from all councils severely impacted by recent weather events. ScotGov: Bellwin Scheme triggered |
Time is of the essence |
The NHS is using cutting edge technology to help slash diagnosis times for prostate cancer from six weeks to one day in a world-leading new approach that virtually eliminates the risk of deadly sepsis. |
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NHS England: NHS ‘one stop shop’ for prostate cancer means faster & more accurate diagnosis NHS England action to save lives by catching more cancers early CRUK: Adding abiraterone to standard treatment improves prostate cancer survival by 40% CRUK: Tumour cells in blood samples could predict prostate cancer spread NICE recommends Cancer Drugs Fund treatment for prostate cancer for routine NHS use Thousands of men with enlarged prostates could be helped by new NICE guidance on laser device CRUK: MRI scans help men avoid unnecessary prostate biopsy NICE recommends cabazitaxel for prostate cancer NHS England widens access to life-extending treatment for prostate cancer NICE publishes draft guidance on two prostate cancer treatments |
Slowly getting there! |
To help meet national efficiency targets & replace outdated paper-based processes, NHS SBS have developed a unique digital system for them to manage their workforce admin. An innovative ePay technology is installed at around 50 NHS organisations around the country, where it has replaced the use of paper forms and resulted in substantial time & financial savings. Designed to interface seamlessly with the NHS ESR (Electronic Staff Record), ePay has four modules - expenses, salary, absence and HR forms - that can be implemented separately or together, depending on the specific needs of an NHS organisation. After introducing the technology to improve its employee expense & timesheet processes, for instance, The Ipswich Hospital NHS Trust has forecast almost £0.5m savings over 5 years and eradicated around 1,000 paper forms every month. |
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NHS Shared Business Services: Innovative ePay Technology Helps 50 NHS Organisations Find Significant Savings |
First ‘bite’ |
National Product Safety Office carries out first enforcement action. Hardwood Dimensions (Holdings) Ltd fined £4,000 for failure to ensure product was made from legally-harvested timber. BEIS: National product safety office carries out first enforcement action |
Statistics should be regarded with ‘care’ |
A Mail On Sunday article (published Sunday March 4) wrongly suggested that NHS Digital is falsely inflating the number of British FGM victims by including newborn babies in its data. NHS Digital: A statement on the Mail On Sunday's FGM article NHS Digital: Latest experimental statistics about female genital mutilation published |
Fishy tale from Scotland |
River managers will be able to limit the impact of climate change on Scotland’s rivers & fisheries by using a new online mapping tool to plan mitigation work. Scientists at Marine Scotland and the University of Birmingham have developed a river temperature model to predict the maximum daily river temperatures & sensitivity to climate change throughout Scotland, with interactive maps made available through the National Marine Plan interactive website. Scotland’s rivers account for around 75% of the UK & 30% of European wild salmon production, with freshwater fisheries and associated expenditure contributing more than £79m a year to the Scottish economy. |
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Cannot charge for their own ineptitude |
Ofgem is banning suppliers from issuing customers with backbills for energy used more than 12 months ago. The existing voluntary agreement does not protect all consumers from receiving these bills. Ofgem bans suppliers from backbilling customers beyond 12 months Ofgem backbilling decision ensures “better protections” for energy customers, says Citizens Advice |
Usually an expensive break! |
Working parents can save £000s on regulated holiday clubs & other childcare as part of the government's Childcare Choices offer. HMRC: Pay for Easter childcare with Tax-Free Childcare |
Could you be a Board Member? |
The SQA is currently seeking 3 new members. An exciting opportunity for talented individuals from a variety of backgrounds to make a valuable contribution to Scotland’s education & training system. Scottish Qualifications Authority seeks new board members |
One call to get help |
The DHSC has established a central booking service that will be run by the BPAS. Women from Northern Ireland can call a single telephone number to make an appointment with the most appropriate provider. DHSC: Central booking system for NI women seeking an abortion in England |
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