Consultations
Defra: Climate change means that we will all have to value water more as we find a fairer way of paying for it, Environment Secretary Hilary Benn, claimed as he launched a new water strategy for England - Future Water.
The Strategy's proposals include:
* The aim to reduce water usage from 150 to 120 litres per person per day by 2030
* An independent review into water charging
* A consultation on new proposals to tackle surface water drainage
* A consultation on new proposals to reduce water pollution by tackling contaminants at source
* Action to deal with point sources of pollution and River Basin Management Plans
* A consultation on draft statutory Social & Environmental Guidance to Ofwat (all 3 close on 30 April).
Press release ~ Future Water: the Government's water strategy for England ~ Improving surface water drainage: consultation to accompany proposals set out in the Government's water strategy, Future Water ~ Consultation on options for controls on phosphates in domestic laundry cleaning products in England ~ Consultation on draft statutory Social and Environmental Guidance to the Water Services Regulation Authority (Ofwat) ~ River Basin Management Plans
HM Treasury: The Treasury has launched a consultation (views by 7 May 2008) on the UK Market Abuse Regime, which is specifically focused on where the UK regime imposes additional requirements to the EU's 2003 Market Abuse Directive. They have committed to reviewing the regime's scope by May 2008 to assess whether this wider definition remains justified.
Press release ~ FSMA Market Abuse Regime: a review of the sunset clauses - consultation ~ FSA: Market Abuse Policy & Enforcement in the UK ~ EU's 2003 Market Abuse Directive
DH: The Home Office has laid immigration rules implementing the first part of the new Points Based System, which is the Tier 1 (General) route for highly skilled migrants. Around 10,000 potential IMG applicants will be exempt from the Home Office regulations so, without further action on top of the new immigration rules, the DH estimates around 700 to 1,100 UK doctors will still be displaced & unable to secure a training place in 2009, 2010 and beyond.
Therefore, the DH is beginning a consultation(closes at 10.00am on 6 May 2008) setting out proposals for managing applications to the foundation & specialty training programmes from Highly Skilled Migrant doctors with leave to remain in the UK – See ‘In the News’ for more details.
