Consultations

ScotGov: Employers, trade unions and individuals in Scotland are being asked for their views on whether employees should be given the right to request time off to train. The targeted consultation closes on 31 October 2008.
 
The UK Government has recently consulted on whether the Employment Rights Act - legislation which is reserved to Westminster - should be amended for employees in England to give them the right to ask for time off to undertake training which would support business needs, as well as helping to develop the individual.  There will be no obligation on employers to approve such requests.
 
Subject to the outcome of the Scottish Government's consultation, that legislation would also be amended to cover employees in Scotland. The practical arrangements which employers would follow would be based on the existing right to request flexible working, which many employers are already familiar.
Press release ~ Consultation on the right to request time to train for employees in Scotland ~ BERR – Work and Families ~ Time to Train consultation ~ Leitch review ~  Train to Gain programme
 
WAG: Farmers and land managers across Wales are being encouraged to take part in a consultation (closes on 19 December 2008) on a wide-ranging review on the future of land management in Wales. The consultation - Sustaining the Land - meets the commitment in the Wales Rural Development Plan to undertake a review of programmes under Axis II of the Plan.
 
Axis II covers all land management programmes, agri-environmental schemes including Tir Gofal, woodland grants and Tir Mynydd. In order to encourage participation the Welsh Assembly Government will hold discussion meetings with farmers and other stakeholders throughout Wales, as part of the process.
Press release ~ A review of land management actions under Axis 2 of the Rural Development Plan for Wales 2007 - 2013 ~ WAG – Farming and Countryside ~ WAG – Rural Affairs ~ Wales Rural Development Plan ~ CAP Health Check proposals
 
DH: The Department of Health has outlined proposals to improve the quality of care for children with complex, long term health needs, as they launched the consultation (closes on 31 December 2008) on the National Framework for Assessing Children's Continuing Care – See ‘In the News’ section for more information.
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