WIREDGOV NEWSLETTER ARCHIVE
He can never please everybody |
The Chancellor has presented his first Spring Statement to Parliament, which gives an update on the overall health of the economy and the Office for Budget Responsibility forecasts. |
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HM Treasury: Spring Statement 2018: what you need to know HMT: Spring Statement 2018: Philip Hammond's speech IEA: Spring Statement was a missed opportunity for tax cuts techUK responds to Spring Statement DCMS: £95m for local full-fibre broadband projects MHCLG: More support to boost house building momentum DfT: Transport Secretary welcomes next step in £1.7bn fund to transform local journeys TUC: Chancellor did nothing to help working people hit by falling wages and with poor quality work CBI: Chancellor backs British business to secure future prosperity IPPR: Chancellor lack of action at Spring Statement will depress economic growth |
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Despite denials the Russians have previous ‘Form’ |
Various statements to Parliament and other press releases regarding the Salisbury incident. |
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10DS: PM Commons statement on Salisbury incident: 12 March 2018 Foreign Secretary’s remarks on the use of a nerve agent in Salisbury: 13 March 2018 FS calls for a united response on the Salisbury incident 10DS: PM’s Commons Statement on Salisbury incident response: 14 March 2018 FCO: Novichok nerve agent use in Salisbury - UK government response |
Deadline is fast approaching |
The ICO has launched a GDPR awareness campaign aimed at people running micro-businesses – those employing fewer than 10 people. The GDPR replaces the current Data Protection Act and comes into force on 25 May 2018. |
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ICO supports Federation of Small Businesses campaign to help small businesses to prepare for the GDPR EC publishes guidance on upcoming new data protection rules Digital & Culture Secretary urges businesses & charities to prepare for stronger DP laws ICO offers more support to SMEs ahead of Small Business Saturday New DP advice service aimed at small organisations preparing for the GDPR Just over 6 (now 2) months away GDPR Guidance: What to look for in your Data Protection Officer GDPR will soon become a reality Transitioning for away from the EU DP ‘umbrella’ Just over 6 (now 2) months away MERITEC: GDPR e-Awareness Course Module ALEXOS: Personal data & GDPR - Handing over the “car keys” with confidence |
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. |
Lift Off for economic boost |
The Space Industry Bill will enable the first commercial space launch from UK soil in history, creating the potential for hundreds of highly-skilled jobs and bringing in £bns for the economy. |
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DfT: New laws unlock exciting space era for UK BEIS: Rocketing to success - Space Industry Act to unlock £bns for the UK economy DIT: Innovative satellite tech company invests in the UK space sector UK Space Agency: Ground-breaking satellite projects will transform society Getting a good view of the weather Another small step into the Solar system The amount of data to be gathered is unlimited Just like plastic objects in the sea, this litter is a potential danger to us |
Turning point Battle |
Descendants of those who fought at the Battle of Amiens are invited to apply for tickets (600 available) to commemorate the centenary of the battle (on 8 August 2018) that saw one of the greatest advances of WW1. |
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DCMS: Descendants invited to Battle of Amiens centenary commemoration The Battle of Amiens, 1918 - YouTube Battle of Amiens | World War I [1918] | Britannica.com 5 Facts: Amiens, 1918 - The WW1 Battle In France Which Sealed ... |
Some ‘Good’ out of the ‘horrors’ of the battlefield |
Biomedical engineers are pioneering a new technique for treating injured limbs which could reduce amputations after battlefield injuries and natural disasters. The technique has been developed by researchers at the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow and funded by the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) through the Defence & Security Accelerator. Created in response to the experiences of Iraq & Afghanistan, where improvised explosive devices caused traumatic injury, the three-stage approach is a brand-new technique that brings together kit that can be used in the field, with highly specialised solutions once the patient is evacuated to a hospital. Weighing only 5Kg, the technology is specially designed for deployment on operations, and used by combat medics. The system could also be used in a non-military setting, for example natural disasters or remote locations. |
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Dstl: Pioneering treatment could save limbs on the battlefield Dstl: Soundcheck: new acoustic yarn monitors military hearing health |
Very necessary |
The Defence People Innovation Challenge launch event will be held in London on the 27 March 2018, to seek innovative solutions on how we manage our people, both military & civilian. Registration closes on 22 March 2018. MoD: Defence People Innovation Challenge Launch Event |
Cyber crime effects everyone |
A disparity between how the public view cyber crime and the reality of the threat is putting individuals & businesses at increasing risk, according to the Government’s Cyber Aware campaign. Its new report A Call To Action: The Cyber Aware Perception Gap identifies the 3 key myths preventing people adopting behaviours that could protect them in an increasingly digitised & connected world: that cyber crime isn’t ‘real crime’; that it ‘won’t happen to me’; and that there’s ‘nothing I can do about it’. Cyber Aware is calling on businesses of all sizes to take the lead by educating staff, clients and customers about the very real risks of cyber crime and what can be done to help prevent it. |
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techUK: Businesses key to closing cyber security perception gap EU News: Joint conference on judicial cooperation in cybercrime matters Advice to thwart ‘devastating’ cyber attacks on small charities New pilot programme to combat scams targeting older Londoners with Age UK Cyber crook made thousands with testing site for hackers UK's first Cyber Schools Hubs announced Home Office Publishes “Understanding the Costs of Cyber-Crime” Report Rise in reports of fake Sainsbury’s refund email UK victims defrauded by fraudsters via Western Union transfers may be eligible for refund UBS fraudsters offering fake shares in Airbnb Action to combat online fraud must favour customers Editor looks back at previous 'crystal ball' security items published in WGPlus |
Keep property & family safe |
As the anniversary of Easter floods nears, the EA and its partners are calling on people to take steps to prepare for flooding, 20 years after the floods of 1998 caused devastation in Northamptonshire. |
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EA: 20 years after the Northamptonshire Easter floods Why is it that the approach of Christmas always seems to involve flooding somewhere? |
‘Yellow peril’ lands |
A case of yellow fever in England highlights the importance of pre-travel vaccination. Yellow fever does not pass from person to person. DHSC: Yellow fever reported in traveller returning from Brazil |
More to lose still |
More than half of overweight patients who routinely attended sessions on the NHS Type 2 diabetes prevention programme achieved an average weight loss equivalent to nearly 15 double cheese burgers. |
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NHS England: Flagship NHS Type 2 Diabetes Prevention Programme exceeds expectations Eating our way to better health Obesity is increasingly the pathway to diabetes for adults AND children |
An opportunity! |
NHS England has opened applications for a prestigious science fellowship scheme, aimed at helping female healthcare scientists to improve patient care, access training, and increase women’s access to leadership roles. NHS England: “Privileged & fantastic opportunity” opens to female healthcare scientists |
Have you got incredible passion for arts & culture? |
Have you got loads of experience of working across the arts & cultural sector? Then you could be just the person ACE are looking for to join their Area Council in the South East. ACE: Join our Area Council and make a difference to the future of arts & culture |
Privacy is ‘Appt’ |
The ICO has completed an investigation into whether WhatsApp could legally share users’ data with Facebook in the manner they were considering in 2014. ICO: A win for the data protection of UK consumers – WhatsApp signs public commitment not to share personal data with Facebook until data protection concerns are addressed |
The ultimate ‘gift’ |
An organ donation education resource for schools has been launched by WAG. It will help inform key stage 3 & 4 students about organ donation, encouraging them to discuss the subject with their friends & families. |
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WAG launch first Organ Donation pack for secondary Schools Wales leading on organ donation consent rates Health secretary urges people to talk to each other about organ donation Support for the opt-out system of organ donation in Wales is high, says new report New organ donation campaign highlights a family’s role in the process |
Reel in your lines |
Anglers are reminded that the ‘close season’ for coarse fish in rivers started on 15 March & runs until 15 June. It prevents fishing for coarse fish for 3 months to give the fish a chance to breed. EA: Anglers reminded close season runs from 15 March to 15 June |
Another alleged charity ‘abuse’? |
100’s of Baiga people from the area that inspired Kipling’s The Jungle Book are opposing the authorities’ attempts to evict them from the forests that they have lived in & managed since time immemorial. The Baiga are particularly worried by the two upcoming evictions, as both state authorities and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) promised that evictions would not take place in the “corridor” areas, which run between the protected nature reserves. By law, any resettlements of tribal people must be voluntary, even for those living in designated conservation areas. However Baiga people report threats, intimidation & violence until they have no choice but to leave their homes. |
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Survival International - India: Tribes threatened by conservation plan historic protest |
Passport to Jail |
The FCO is warning young Brits following in the footsteps of globe-trotting celebs not to fall foul of lesser-known local laws & customs, which could land them in serious trouble. Celeb-led travel trends prompt FCO warning this Easter |
Could be a rather ‘drastic’ treatment |
The MHRA has issued a Drug Safety Alert advising pharmacists to tell people about the risk of fires when they discuss options to treat head lice. MHRA: Keep head lice treatments away from naked flame |
They want all the powers and for England to provide most of the subsidies |
PM Theresa May has met with the devolved administrations to discuss the latest in the EU negotiations. The FMs of Scotland and Wales, along with representatives from the Northern Ireland Civil Service, came to Downing Street for an update on the negotiations and to discuss recent progress on Clause 11 of the EU Withdrawal Bill, which would see the vast majority of returning devolved powers directly transferred to Edinburgh, Cardiff & Belfast. Domestic issues and the importance of Northern Ireland’s continued involvement in the process, in the absence of an Executive, were also be discussed. The PM made clear her absolute commitment to devolution, strengthening the Union and delivering legal certainty for businesses & consumers across the UK as ‘we forge a new, deep & special partnership with the EU’. Finance Secretary Derek Mackay; “It is imperative that the UK Government urgently provides details of how it plans to mitigate the significant impacts of leaving the EU, and how the £3bn funding for EU exit preparations which was announced at last year’s Autumn Budget will be allocated. Scotland must have its fair share of this funding. ……. We have been absolutely clear that Scotland must not be any worse off in respect of the funding allocations that replace those provided from the EU, and that they must be focused on delivering inclusive growth”. |
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10DS: PM to meet ministers from devolved nations at Joint Ministerial Committee ScotGov: Spring Statement must deliver clarity on Brexit impact ScotGov: EU Withdrawal Bill amendments ScotGov: Joint Ministerial Committee ScotGov: Letter to Lords over Brexit Bill But do they expect English taxpayers to subsidise their plans? One wonders how the SNP would finance an independent Scotland without Barnett formula Editorial commentary; Who pays for the additional administrative organisations? Editorial Comment: Just a means of getting more money from England? |
Editorial Commentary – Are the TUC expecting us to sign up to ‘Directives’ from this new body after we leave the EU? |
A Post-Brexit deal with the UK, must include a proposal to require a level playing field on workers’ rights, says TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady. Meanwhile the EC has presented its proposal for a European Labour Authority as well as an initiative to ensure access to social protection for all workers & self-employed. Why should we commit to something we cannot influence and does the TUC expect that the EU will adopt any legislation that the UK introduces which gives more worker protection than future EU laws, so as to maintain that ‘level playing field’? |
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TUC: PM must take opportunity offered by EU Parliament to protect workers’ rights EC adopts proposals for a European Labour Authority and for access to social protection |
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Still a ‘hot topic’, with widely spread views, for those who put fingers to keyboard in order to ‘share their views’: |
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Brexit microsite (Information about the Article 50 process and our negotiations for a new partnership with the EU) 10DS: PM to meet ministers from devolved nations at Joint Ministerial Committee ScotGov: Spring Statement must deliver clarity on Brexit impact ScotGov: EU Withdrawal Bill amendments ScotGov: Joint Ministerial Committee ScotGov: Letter to Lords over Brexit Bill FCO: Commonwealth has key role to play in the bright future for Britain: article by Boris Johnson Intellectual Property Office: IP and BREXIT: The facts PC&PE: 'Global Britain' slogan must be backed by substance, says Committee IFG: New report reveals the cost of Brexit |
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More news, opinions, documents, claims & counter-claims; |
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PC&PE: Government still failing to get a grip on oversight of LEPs |
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