Consultations

HO: A consultation was launched last week on whether powers to seize substances used by criminals to mix with illegal drugs & maximise their profits should be strengthened.  In 2012, more than 7 tonnes of benzocaine, lidocaine & phenacetin were seized by law enforcement agencies after being imported into the UK under suspicious circumstances.
 
Forensic analysis shows most cocaine & crack available at street level contains one or more of these substances, which are known as cutting agents.  The consultation will gather views on strengthening powers allowing law enforcement agencies to enter & search premises and seize drug cutting agents. The consultation closes on 7 July 2013.
Press release & links
 
GPS: Following several stakeholder events and feedback via a questionnaire, the Government Procurement Service have now published the draft of the Laundry Specification for comments (by Tuesday 18 June 2013).
Press release & links
 
HMRC: The government proposes new measures to ensure correct employment taxes are being paid by offshore employment intermediaries.   A consultation has been launched on plans to tackle the use of offshore employment intermediaries to avoid employment taxes, mainly employer National Insurance Contributions (NICs). The consultation closes on 8 August 2013 and it is envisaged that the new measures will come into force in April 2014.
Press release & links
 
WAG: The Task & Finish Group established to consider links between the Welsh language & economic development has put out a call for evidence seeking views & examples of best practice to inform their work. The call ends on 21 June 2013.
Press release & links
 
MonitorMonitor is launching a review to understand why NHS walk-in centres are closing and if this is in the best interests of patients.  The health regulator will examine to what extent the closure of walk-in centres has limited people’s ability to choose where & when they access routine or urgent primary health care services without appointment.
 
As part of its review, Monitor wants to hear from patients, past & current providers of walk-in centres, GPs, commissioners and other stakeholders about the impact of walk-in centre closures.   

This is not an investigation by Monitor under its formal enforcement powers. It is a review to improve its understanding of why walk-in centres are closing and the potential impact on patient choice & competition. Initial submissions should be sent by 5pm on 28 June 2013.
Press release & links
 
Additional Consultations: Readers should be aware that many consultations are never publicised with a press release, so do not appear in either the email alerts or Wired - GOV Plus. Many of these consultations can be found at the following links:
GOV.UK consultations ~ Current ScotGov consultations ~ Recently added WAG consultations
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