WIREDGOV NEWSLETTER ARCHIVE

Following the WGPlus newsletter Xmas break, our editorial team is highlighting some of the more important / interesting press releases published since the last full newsletter. 

A pioneer of UK data protection introduction / enforcement

The ICO item below has been selected by our Senior Editor, because he also remembers the early days of DP and had his own well-used copy of the UK’s first DP Act from when he was suddenly given the job of DP officer of a west London Borough (on top of his exisiting duties) and told to find out ‘what it was all about’.

The Act document was later joined by Brown, Blue & Red guidance booklets to supplement the telephone support & meetings of other LB DP Officers held at County Hall, that later evolved into the LBs DP Group (which the editor chaired for several years).   Jonathan Bamford attended our meetings many times over the years and provided much useful advice & guidance.

Jonathan writes; “Over 34 years, the need to inspire public trust and confidence has been constant. And I’m proud to have played my small role in that.”

As he leaves the Information Commissioners Office, speaking for myself and the other original DP Officers, I can say that he actually ‘played a major role in that’.

Best Wishes for the future Jonathan!

ICO:  Trust, technology and slippers with torches
 

NHS transformation means improving staff performance and increasing patient satisfaction. 

Our 2 recent papers examine how to to revitalise a service in its 80th decade with the deployment of secure, reliable digital technologies that harness the power of information and manage Big Data.

‘Towards Digitized Healthcare Delivery’ examines key challenges including optimising performance, guaranteeing accessbility, fostering collaboration & improvement and harnessing data to reduce costs.

Whilst ‘Securing the Future of Cloud-Based Healthcare’ details the compelling case for cloud-based electronic health records (EHRs): streamlined operations, ease of access, improved information sharing and analysis—and the opportunity for innovations yet to be developed.
BUT cloud-based EHRs also come with risks that must be mitigated…

Click here to access and download both these short papers now

 
Editor’s choice of ICT items of note:

ICO:  Trust, technology and slippers with torches

EU News:  Standard contractual clauses for the transfer of personal data to processors established in third countries is valid

NCSC reaches out on Small Business Saturday

Audit Scotland:  Lessons need to be learned from troubled ICT project

WAG:  Brecon Beacons village 'transformed' by community superfast broadband

GCS:  A blueprint for government communication

GDS:  How the Home Office’s Immigration Technology department reduced its cloud costs by 40%

SOCITM:  Announcement: new accessibility partner

AXELOS:  Enhancing graduate employability with professional certifications

techUK:  Central Government Programme: Year in review – (techUK:  Digital Ethics Summit 2019 - Making Progress? ~ techUK:  Next Generation Quantum Hardware Launching at CES 2020 )

ICO:  London pharmacy fined after “careless” storage of patient data – (Statement on ICO-approved certification schemes ~ ICO:  Trust, technology and slippers with torches )

EU News - Advocate General:  Standard contractual clauses for the transfer of personal data to processors established in third countries is valid

NCSC reaches out on Small Business Saturday

Audit Scotland:  Lessons need to be learned from troubled ICT project

WAG:  Brecon Beacons village 'transformed' by community superfast broadband

GCS:  A blueprint for government communication – (GCS Accelerate: One Year On )

GDS:  How the Home Office’s Immigration Technology department reduced its cloud costs by 40% - (GDS:  Making GOV.UK more than a website ~ GDS:  GOV.UK Notify is sending messages for more than 1,500 services across the public sector )

SOCITM:  Grow. Share. Lead – (SOCITM:  Announcement: new accessibility partner )

AXELOS:  Why marketing departments should embrace business agility – (AXELOS:  Enhancing graduate employability with professional certifications )

 
Editor’s choice of Health, Social care & Homelessness items of note:

DHSC:  Free hospital parking for thousands of patients, staff & carers

NHS England:  NHS to fast-track access to cannabis-based medicine for children with severe epilepsy

NHS England:  Improved NHS Migraine Care to save thousands of hospital stays

techUK:  Intelligent software for faster, more personal fitting of prosthetics

ScotGov:  Data Protection Impact Assessment – Mental Health First Aid

NHS Health Scotland:  Vaccinate globally and reduce cancer-causing HPV in Scotland

WAG:  Funding doubled for older people’s oral health

Innovation Agency:  Europe’s most promising health innovations on offer to North West Coast

NICE:  Use of out-of-area rehabilitation placements for adults with complex psychosis should be curtailed

DHSC:  What record NHS investment means for each of my priorities – (DHSC:  Free hospital parking for thousands of patients, staff & carers ~ DHSC:  HRH Duke of Cambridge & football legends champion mental health )

NHS England:  New advice released to support those with eating disorders at Christmas – (NHS England:  NHS to fast-track access to cannabis-based medicine for children with severe epilepsy ~ NHS England:  TV repeats and seasonal songs can help people with dementia ~ NHS England:  Fighting back against rising tide of gambling ill health ~ NHS England:  Improved NHS Migraine Care To Save Thousands Of Hospital Stays ~ NHS England:  England’s top doctor slams ‘exploitative’ party drips ~ NHS England:  DNA Testing on the NHS to fast track diagnosis for critically ill Babies & Children )

10DS:  PM backs NHS staff with £5,000 annual payment for nursing students ~ The King’s Fund responds to government’s student nurse grants announcement ~ DHSC:  Nursing students to receive £5,000 payment a year

CQC reports on safe use of radiation in health care settings

techUK:  Intelligent software for faster, more personal fitting of prosthetics

GEO:  Leeds GP Practice receives Gold Award in trailblazing programme for LGBT+ patients

NHS Confederation sets out actions for new government’s ‘top priority’

The King’s Fund responds to GMC report on doctors changing work patterns

ScotGov:  Data Protection Impact Assessment – Mental Health First Aid – (ScotGov:  Improving support for neurological conditions )

Audit Scotland:  Sick Kids questions remain unanswered

NHS Health Scotland:  Vaccinate globally and reduce cancer-causing HPV in Scotland

WAG:  Funding doubled for older people’s oral health

National Ombudsmen:  Baby’s death from heart defect was avoidable, Ombudsman finds

Innovation Agency:  Insight into maternity outpatient innovations – (Innovation Agency:  Europe’s most promising health innovations on offer to North West Coast )

NICE:  Use of out-of-area rehabilitation placements for adults with complex psychosis should be curtailed – (NICE:  Additional evidence needed to assess histology-independent cancer drugs says paper co-authored by NICE staff )

Link to latest news from the British Heart Foundation ~ Link to latest news from Cancer Research UK ~ Link to latest news from Diabetes UK ~ Link to latest news from Age UK ~ Link to latest news from Alzheimer's Research UK 

National Ombudsmen:  Care home owners refuse to refund family despite investigation finding mother was neglected

MHCLG:  PM pledges new action to eliminate homelessness & rough sleeping – (MHCLG:  200 people to spend first Christmas off the streets and in their own homes thanks to innovative government programme Housing First )

Homeless Link:  New government must act on housing as homelessness increases

 
Editor’s choice of Business / Commercial items of note:

BEIS:  Measures to make Britain's power network more resilient planned, after August power outage

HM Treasury:  Government to take new actions on loan schemes following Morse review

MHCLG:  Housing Secretary pledges new funding to crackdown on criminal landlords

WAG:  Implementation of European single procurement document (ESPD) solution

Innovate UK:  Helping farmers to work more efficiently: apply for funding

Ofcom plans ban on mobile firms selling 'locked' phones

techUK:  From JFC to STRATCOM – The Journey

RLA:  Battery-powered smoke alarms failed in more than a third of property fires

RLA:  All change: 5 new pieces of legislation to hit landlords in 2020

NEPO:  Supplier Engagement Event: Redcar & Cleveland Extra Care Contract

CMA lifts the lid on digital giants

FRC:  Updated guidance issued on expected credit loss disclosure

BEIS:  Government update on the proposed acquisition of Cobham PLC by Advent International – (BEIS:  Measures to make Britain's power network more resilient planned, after August power outage )

DIT:  Christmas boost for Midlands businesses – (DIT:  UK – Japan trade hits record high in boost for Scottish firms )

NIC:  Armitt - Let’s shine a light on infrastructure’s Christmas heroes

Home Office:  Border Force crackdown on Christmas counterfeits

Defra:  World craves British food this Christmas

HM Treasury:  Government to take new actions on loan schemes following Morse review

MHCLG:  Housing Secretary pledges new funding to crackdown on criminal landlords

WAG:  GO Awards Wales – Enter now! – (WAG:  Engaging & communicating to support filing of Land Transaction Tax ~ WAG to invest in more resilient, cleaner & greener transport ~ WAG:  Implementation of European single procurement document (ESPD) solution )

Innovate UK:  Improving railway security and safety: apply for contracts – (Innovate UK:  Helping farmers to work more efficiently: apply for funding )

Ofcom plans ban on mobile firms selling 'locked' phones – (Ofcom:  Celebrity Big Brother tops TV complaints for the decade ~ Ofcom:  Latest UK broadband and mobile coverage revealed )

Ofgem appoints British Gas to take on customers of Breeze Energy

techUK:  From JFC to STRATCOM – The Journey – (techUK launches Drone Campaign Week ~ techUK:  Water | Price Review 2019 - Industry Transformation ~ techUK:  Tech & the Circular Economy: Write up and conclusions )

RLA:  Battery-powered smoke alarms failed in more than a third of property fires – (RLA:  Wales regulations revoked after RLA campaign ~ RLA:  Conservatives need to get PRS reform right ~ RLA:  GDPR: ICO registration and limited companies ~ RLA:  December licensing update for landlords ~ RLA:  Blog: Queen’s speech confirms end of Section 21 ~ RLA:  A third of landlords to sell off homes ~ RLA:  Looking back: The RLA Year in review – 2019 ~ RLA:  Property predictions for 2020: What the experts say ~ RLA:  All change: 5 new pieces of legislation to hit landlords in 2020 ~ RLA:  Affordable homes, UC advice & calls for rental minister ~ RLA:  Online self-assessment tax return deadline-help for landlords )

NEPO:  Supplier Engagement Event: Redcar & Cleveland Extra Care Contract

Crown Commercial Service:  Workforce Alliance Looks to 2020

ESFA:  Get ‘Fired Up’ for National Apprenticeship Week 2020

CMA lifts the lid on digital giants – (CMA:  LN-Gaiety’s purchase of MCD cleared )

FRC: Taskforce on Disclosures about Expected Credit Losses (DECL) updated guidance – (FRC:  Updated guidance issued on expected credit loss disclosure ~ FRC moves to strengthen auditor independence & ban conflicts of interest ~ FRC’s response to Sir Donald Brydon review ~ FRC: Investigations into the audit of the financial statements of Thomas Cook Group plc ~ FRC updates aid to Audit Cttees in evaluating audit quality )

FCA asks for proposals on how open finance could transform financial services – (FCA:  Announcement from John Swift QC inviting submissions from interested parties ~ FCA fines former managing director £45,000 for failure to notify personal trades )

CBI Response to Brydon Review – (CBI: Government can boost UK competitiveness with fast decisions on immigration & commitment to flexible labour market )

 
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.

Recent arrivals to the SME Supplier Locator service include:

Click here to find out more.

Serve Legal
Serve Legal

 

 
Editor’s choice of other general items of note:

MoD:  Map the Gap: autonomous gap crossing survey

LGA responds to Age UK analysis of unpaid carers aged over 80

DfE:  A new online service will enable graduates to easily keep track of their student loan accounts 

ESRC:  Theatre & museum trips linked to living longer

NCFE:  Top 10 reasons to switch to e-books

Civil Service:  Anger awareness - 7 tips for ‘keeping your cool’

TfL Rail begins operating services between London Paddington and Reading

RoSPA launches framework to make new-build homes safer for everyone

MoD donates 14,000 meals to UK charities

How can the FCO support you in international parental child abduction cases?

CO:  Government commitment to preventing public institutions setting up their own international boycotts

Home Office:  Global Britain to attract more top scientists with fast tracked entry

DfE:  More funding to boost adoption support

MHCLG:  Biggest multi-billion pound spending increase for councils in a decade

DfT:  Year of action on railway starts with new fares trials

WAG:  Strengthened powers to allow Welsh councils to compulsory purchase empty houses and vacant land

ScotGov:  Ban on Euro 2020 ticket touting to become law

SFO charges former Serco directors with fraud

IFG:  Short tenure of a junior minister makes preparation vital

Booking.com commits to align practices presenting offers and prices with EU law following EU action

MoD:  HMS Scott provides support for search – (MoD Education Support Fund results 2020 ~ MoD:  Map the Gap: autonomous gap crossing survey ~ MoD:  £300m contract to improve access to business services ~ MoD:
New pledges for the Armed Forces announced in Queen's Speech
)

techUK:  From JFC to STRATCOM – The Journey

LGA responds to Age UK analysis of unpaid carers aged over 80 ~ NHS Confed:  Plight of older carers an unseen social care scandal

Defra:  Nearly 30m walks demonstrates huge popularity of England's coastal paths

DfT:  Thousands with hidden disabilities benefit from extended Blue Badge scheme

DfE:  A new online service will enable graduates to easily keep track of their student loan accounts 

Environment Agency:  Flood risk: Settled weather improves outlook

WAG:  Paws, Prevent, Protect: Minister highlights importance of responsible pet purchasing

CCC writes to the new Prime Minister

ESRC:  Theatre & museum trips linked to living longer – (ESRC:  Continued UK membership of IIASA, and Co-Investigator eligibility for IIASA )

NCFE:  Tackling the normalisation of online sexual violence in RSHE lessons – (NCFE:  Preparing for January intake ~ NCFE:  Top 10 reasons to switch to e-books )

National Archives:  Funds awarded for innovative ideas

Civil Service:  A look back at 2019 and my goals as Deputy Civil Service Disability Champion – (Civil Service:  Anger awareness - 7 tips for ‘keeping your cool’ )

CCW:  Don’t pay the price for feeding a fatberg this Christmas – (CCW:  Keeping you one step ahead of bogus callers )

TfL Rail begins operating services between London Paddington and Reading – (TfL to trial innovative new bus sound to improve road safety ~ TfL:  Major north London town centre set to be transformed )

Met Office:  2020 set to extend series of Earth’s warmest years

RoSPA launches framework to make new-build homes safer for everyone

BIG:  Scottish groups share £1.3M of Scottish Land Fund cash

MoD donates 14,000 meals to UK charities

Charity Commission opens inquiry into Under Trees School – (Charity Commission:  Alert for charities – fraudsters impersonating staff )

MHCLG:  £1m funding boost for South Yorkshire flood charity

English Heritage:  Medieval Christmas Treasures

Sport England:  Major Investment to Help Poorest Children Get Active

FCO:  Identifying underlying drivers of the conflict in Africa – (FCO:   UK statement on the human rights situation in Ukraine ~ FS statement on the Sino British Joint Declaration ~ How can the FCO support you in international parental child abduction cases? ~ FCO:  Low-emission cars to help make UK diplomats “the greenest in the world” )

10DS:  Queen's Speech December 2019 ~ MHCLG:  Queen's Speech: Delivering fairer, more affordable homes for buyers and renters ~ DfE:  Local areas get breakdown in first stage of £14bn funding boost )

Cabinet Office:  Government confirms commitment to preventing public institutions setting up their own international boycotts

Home Office:  Global Britain to attract more top scientists with fast tracked entry

Defra:  Annual fisheries negotiations cut cod quota ~ EU:  2020 fishing opportunities in the Atlantic, North & the Mediterranean Seas: Council secures agreement ~ WAG:  A strong deal to safeguard fish stocks secured during “more important than ever” negotiations

DfE:  More funding to boost adoption support

MHCLG:  Biggest multi-billion pound spending increase for councils in a decade

DfT:  Passengers to plan journeys down to the minute as big data revitalises country’s bus use – (DfT:  New funding to boost the advanced fuels industry ~ DfT:  Year of action on railway starts with new fares trials )

ScotGov:  National Improvement Framework & Improvement Plan - 2020 – (ScotGov:  Less favoured area support ~ ScotGov:  Help to buy a home ~ ScotGov:  Grouse moor management ~ ScotGov:  Independence Referendum: transfer of power demanded ~ ScotGov:  Approval for Referendums Bill ~ ScotGov:  Alleviating rural hardship ~ ScotGov:  Improving debt advice services ~ ScotGov:  Supporting asylum seekers )

WAG:  South East Wales Transport Commission publishes update and early recommendations – (WAG:  £2.3m to boost Wales’ ‘nation of sanctuary’ pledge ~ WAG:  New social rent policy balances tenant affordability with ambitions to build more homes ~ WAG:  Wales bans use of combustible cladding on high rise buildings ~ WAG:  Strengthened powers to allow Welsh councils to compulsory purchase empty houses and vacant land ~ WAG:  Planning permission for sheds and glasshouses on allotments to be scrapped in Wales )

OSSW:  Motorists saving hundreds of thousands per day since Severn tolls’ abolition

IOPC response following inquest into a man's death in Northumbria Police custody

ScotGov:  Ban on Euro 2020 ticket touting to become law

WAG:  New law to make it easier for more people in Wales to stand to be local councillors

NCA:  Money muling is money laundering – NECC urges students studying in the UK to be aware – (NCA:  Ex-employee jailed for Jet2 cyber attacks )

SFO charges former Serco directors with fraud

Audit Scotland:  Council budgets straining to keep pace with demand – (AS:  Agreement urgently needed on police authority's functions )

NO:  Rochdale council’s legal challenge rejected and it must now consider Ombudsman's recommendations

Chatham House:  As its Parliamentary Elections loom, the legitimacy of Iran’s regime has been shaken – (CH:  Don’t Be Afraid of Political Fragmentation ~ CH:  'The Truth is, Chile is Unequal': What's Behind the Protests )

RUSI:  Ukraine Talks: A Peaceful Outcome or a Peaceful Sellout? – (RUSI:  Hong Kong After the District Council Elections: Will Anything Change? ~ RUSI:  The Weakness of ‘People’ in Deterrence ~ RUSI:  The Death of Soleimani Brings Uncertainty, Violence & Opportunity ~ RUSI:  Soleimani Assassination – RUSI Experts Offer Initial Analysis )

IFG:  Short tenure of a junior minister makes preparation vital – (IFG:  An independence referendum in 2020 would be a mistake ~ IFG:  Large majority means the chancellor can make wide tax reforms )

Reform:  Programme For Government

CSJ - Now it’s time to govern

PX:  The First Hundred Days

JRF:  Government must work quickly to reassure those struggling that they will act to make their lives better

Suspension of the functioning of the WTO's Appellate Body

Protecting EU consumers from unsafe food

44 % of hazardous mixtures not compliant with classification and labelling obligations

Article – Corporate taxes: MEPs want to tackle tax avoidance by large companies

Parliament backs measures to cut e-commerce VAT fraud

Booking.com commits to align practices presenting offers and prices with EU law following EU action

 

 More contributions to the Brexit process

Still a ‘hot topic’, with widely spread views:

Researched Links:

Brexit microsite (Information about the Article 50 process & our negotiations for a new partnership with the EU):

GOV. UK – Brexit

Latest Documents

GOV.UK Brexit Search

How to prepare if the UK leaves the EU with no deal

HMT:  Farmers’ £3bn support confirmed once the UK leaves the EU

ScotGov:  Brussels fishery talks

OSSW:  A brighter future for Wales outside the EU

EC reinforces tools to ensure Europe's interests in international trade

EU promotes digitalisation of freight transport information

EU News - Advocate General:  Standard contractual clauses for the transfer of personal data to processors established in third countries is valid

ESMA extends recognition decisions for 3 UK CCPs in the event of a no-deal Brexit

IFG:  The UK could secure an EU trade deal in 2020 if it learns lessons of Brexit talks

OE: What does the Conservative election victory mean for Brexit?

OE Weekly Briefing: A very different Brexit year lies ahead

B4B:  Jeremy Corbyn and national security

B4B:  Brexit At Last?

B4B:  Food for Thought – the 2019 NATO Summit

B4B:  An EU/UK FTA Can Be Done in 2020

 
Please choose from the links below to view individual sections of interest:
ICO

Find out about your obligations and how to comply, including protecting personal information and providing access to official information.

Latest
Consultation on right of access guidance
Consultation on right of access guidance
If you’re an organisation that deals with SARs, we want to hear from you about our draft guidance.
Trust, technology and slippers with torches
Trust, technology and slippers with torches
Jonathan Bamford holds up a tatty bundle of papers.

Statement on ICO-approved certification schemes
The ICO has announced it will be working with UK Accreditation Service (UKAS) to deliver the ICO-approved certification schemes.

Adtech and the data protection debate – where next?
A blog by Simon McDougall, ICO’s Executive Director for Technology and Innovation

For the Public

Your right to get copies of your data

Your right to get your data deleted

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