WIREDGOV NEWSLETTER ARCHIVE
We all want to live & work in an ethical world |
ICO Blog from Simon McDougall; How do we balance the interests of society against individual rights, on issues like facial recognition technology? How do we allocate rights & responsibilities in a world of connected devices and real-time automated decisions? How much thought does the law require organisations to put into what is ‘right’, and what their customers would reasonably expect to happen to their data? We face an increasing number of these types of questions, as we consider the practical implications of growing use of personal data. I’m sure many working in the digital economy might be tempted to look in my direction for the answer. It’s the regulator’s job to tell us what the law says, right? But the reality, as always, is somewhat more complex. The GDPR is a principle-based law. That is its great strength. It sets out general rules, which can then be applied to a range of situations, whether that’s how a local running club looks after members’ contact details, or how big data can be used in health research. It means the law can continue to be relevant, even as technologies are developed that weren’t even thought of when the law was being drafted. Interpretation of that law is complex though, and increasingly we see broad ethical questions being raised around how data is being used. There is debate around when data protection and data ethics overlap, where they are separate, and where they may even conflict. Engaging in data ethics is an innovative step, but I don’t think it’s one that will prove unique. An international consultation in 2018 found more than 4 in 5 believe authorities should play a role in this area. |
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ICO Blog: Blog: Data ethics and the digital economy Can ethics ‘win-out’ over self-interest? AXELOS: Why quality data will always be the foundation of AI Why did we think computers could be impartial? |
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LA facilities are an essential part of Social Prescribing but often lack adequate funding |
The Chairman of the LGA’s Community Wellbeing Board, responded to research by the UK-wide National Referral Database on social prescribing. Read More “Social prescribing schemes remain in their relative infancy on a national scale but are becoming increasingly popular as councils look to embed preventative approaches in the services that they provide. Locally-led, targeted interventions and facilities, such as museums, libraries, leisure centres & parks, have a major role to play in helping communities to become creative and physically active”.
The LGA’s report ‘Just What the Doctor Ordered’ highlights some case studies where social prescribing has had an impact on individuals & local communities and we will be publishing a guide to effective social prescribing for local authorities in April 2020. |
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Stay warm, Stay healthy |
Public Health England (PHE) issues cold weather alert following the arrival of colder weather in some parts of England. With warnings that cold weather is on the way for the north east, north west and Yorkshire & Humber, PHE is urging people to look out for those most at-risk. Dr Emer OConnell, Consultant in Public Health at Public Health England, said: “Older people and those with heart and lung problems are at risk of getting sick in cold weather. Keep an eye out for those who may need help staying warm, ensure they wear lots of thin layers and have everything they need. Below 18 degrees, changes to the body mean that the risk of strokes, heart attacks & chest infections increase, so heating homes to this temperature is particularly important to stay well”. |
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DHSC: Cold weather alert issued by PHE |
Editor’s choice of other Health, Social care & Homelessness related items of note: |
ScotGov: Health & Social Care Delivery Plan - Progress Report ScotGov: Changes to protect NHS staff Wales TUC urges men to open up about mental health Innovation Agency: Rugby fan urges people to be on the ball when it comes to knowing their pulse The King's Fund responds to the GMC's new report on the wellbeing of doctors |
Something to study during the ‘dormant’ months |
Introduction to guidance on policy, pests, legislation & inspection relating to bees in Scotland. In Scotland there are currently around 1,400 hobby beekeepers who are members of the Scottish Beekeepers Association (SBA), with an estimated further 1,000 hobbyists who are not. There are also around 25 commercial bee farmers who are members of the Bee Farmers Association (BFA) whose businesses depend on the management of healthy honey bees. All beekeepers have a significant role to play in ensuring disease management and control measures within their own apiaries are in order and have a legal obligation to report any suspicion of a notifiable disease or pest to us by emailing Bees_mailbox@gov.scot. There is a range of information available to beekeepers on the National Bee Unit (NBU) website BeeBase and Beekeepers are encouraged to register on BeeBase which gives information to help those with an interest in honeybee health to keep their bees healthy. Registered Beekeepers get notifications automatically by email if disease is found within a 3km radius of their apiaries so they can increase their health monitoring. Science & Advice for Scottish Agriculture (SASA) provides a free diagnostic service to beekeepers to identify & confirm the presence of bee diseases and pests with a rapid turnaround time. |
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ScotGov: Honey bee health - guidance Bee disease confirmed in Perthshire MEPs block member states’ move to weaken bee protection from pesticides Guidance on bees and pesticides: work plan published Asian hornet identified in south Hampshire EC increases support for the EU's beekeeping sector Bees' needs: public urged to support pollinators New buzz around Welsh Government offices Michael Gove announces new funding to protect bees UK aid helps Welsh charity to train Ethiopian beekeepers A boon for bees as Environment Agency trials pollinator project Bee health: data partnership a ‘milestone’ in European campaign Pollinating insects: EC proposes actions to stop their decline Bees' Needs Champions awards celebrate pollinator heroes |
Editor’s choice of other Business / Commercial items of note: |
HMRC tips on avoiding Self Assessment tax scams WAG: eProcurement User Group (ePUG) Dstl: DASA showcases protective material innovations RLA: Electrical Safety Week 2019 - what landlords need to know |
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. Against this ambitious 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.
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Ideally, people would prefer that it was prevented from happening in the first place! |
How the government is supporting communities and business affected by the recent severe flooding. Since the first day of flooding on Friday, 8 November, the government is providing the following support to help the recovery of people, communities and businesses:
The government has activated the Flood Recovery Framework Meaning that for all lower tier or unitary local authority areas which have 25 or more flooded households:
Also, as part of the framework; the BEIS)is also providing funding for a Business Recovery Grant which will provide up to £2,500 per eligible small and medium-sized businesses which have suffered severe impacts from the floods that cannot be recovered from insurance. MHCLG has also deployed Recovery Liaison Officers to the most intensely affected local authorities who will work closely with all councils and Local Resilience Forums. |
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MHCLG: Government support for recovery from flooding Defra: Government announces grants to help protect properties from flooding EA teams help flooded communities recover EA calls for communities along the River Witham to sign up for flood warnings For those who are flooded it is always ‘Too little, too late’ |
In future they will be ’Seen & Heard’ |
Scotland will incorporate the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) into law to the maximum extent possible within the powers of the Scottish Parliament. The UNCRC is the most complete statement of children’s rights ever produced and sets out the rights of every child, irrespective of where they live, their religion or make-up of their society. This includes rights relating to health & education, fair & equal treatment and the right to be heard. Children’s rights are human rights and apply to everyone under the age of 18. To incorporate the UNCRC into law a Bill will be laid before Parliament next year. The Bill will allow for incorporation of the provisions of the Convention currently beyond the powers of the Scottish Parliament, should these powers change in the future. |
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ScotGov: Strengthening children’s rights ScotGov: Progressing the Human Rights of Children in Scotland - An Action Plan 2018 - 2021 ScotGov: UN Convention on the Rights of the Child: consultation analysis ScotGov: UNCRC Consultation Analysis Report LGA - 30 years of Children's Act: next government needs to invest in children's services |
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Still a ‘hot topic’, with widely spread views: |
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How to prepare if the UK leaves the EU with no deal OE Weekly Briefing: Party leaders defend Brexit policies as campaign enters new phase |
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