Consultations
ScotGov: Proposals for alternative business structures (ABS) for the legal profession in Scotland have been published for consultation (closes on Friday 3 April 2009).
Which? submitted a super-complaint to the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) asserting that the current regulation of Scottish legal forms restricts choice to consumers and prevents the formation of alternative business structures (ABS). The Scottish Government published its response to the OFT in December 2007 which detailed its policy views on lifting restrictions on ABS, where considered appropriate, for the Scottish legal services market.
The Scottish Government has now brought forward proposals for the Legal Profession Bill which the First Minister announced as part of the legislative programme on September 3, 2008. The proposals in this paper for a robust regulatory regime will allow alternative business structures to operate in an open, transparent and accessible way in Scotland's legal services market.
Press release ~ Wider choice and better protection: A consultation paper on the regulation of legal services in Scotland ~ Law Society of Scotland ~ Faculty of Advocates ~ Which? super-complaint to the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) ~ Scottish Government Policy Statement on OFT Response to Which? Super-Complaint
FSA: The Financial Services Authority (FSA) has published a consultation paper (closes on 6 April 2009) setting out proposals for speeding up the payout of compensation to make it possible for customers to get back their money within seven days if a bank fails.
The consultation paper also includes proposals on how the FSA aims to increase the awareness & understanding of the FSCS among consumers.
Press release ~ Consultation on FSCS Reform CP09/3 ~ Ernst & Young research into the fast payout proposals ~ Strictly Financial research into consumer understanding & awareness of compensation arrangements ~ Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) ~ Financial Sector Continuity website
Ofgem: Energy regulator Ofgem (Office of the Gas and Electricity Markets) has launched a consultation (closes on Friday 20 February 2009) on proposals to introduce new rules for energy suppliers to address unfair pricing identified in the regulator’s recent supply market probe.
Following this consultation they will seek agreement with suppliers on the proposed licence conditions – modified as appropriate in the light of comments received from stakeholders – which we will aim to propose formally by March 2009. At a minimum, they will seek to introduce a condition to ensure cost reflectivity between payment methods. Any proposed licence changes would be through a collective licence modification subject to statutory consultation.
Press release ~ Consultation on addressing unfair price differentials ~ Energy Supply Probe – Initial Findings Report (closed consultation) ~ Energy Supply Probe – Initial Findings Report - International Power Response
ScotGov: Two consultations (closing on 3 April 2009) seeking views on how to ensure long term improvements to water environments have been launched. The consultations 'Scotland's Water: Future Directions' and 'Restoration of the Water Environment' follow the publication of the first draft river basin management plans for Scotland on 22 December 2008.
The draft plans cover the Scotland and Solway Tweed river basin districts and introduce a holistic approach to the protection & improvement of one of our most valuable assets. They project that, through current policy, legislative and funding mechanisms, the number of Scotland's waters in very good condition could be increased from 57% to 67%.
Press release ~ Consultation: 'Scotland's Water: Future Directions' ~ Consultation: 'Restoration of the Water Environment' ~ SEPA – River Basin Planning ~ Scottish Government Economic Strategy
DWP: The Social Security Advisory Committee (SSAC) has been asked by the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions to consider proposals for the Housing Benefit Amendment Regulations (2009). The main change that these proposals would introduce is for the regulations to provide for levels of Housing Benefit (HB) to be capped at a maximum level of the 5 bed room Local Housing Allowance (LHA) from April 2009.
Before the Committee considers & reports on the proposals, it would like to hear from organisations and individuals (by 10 February 2009) who have views, in particular on the following aspects of the proposed changes:
* HB costs to be capped at the rate for 5 bedroom accommodation
* Equality issues, including the impact of the proposed changes on customers with disabilities and ethnic minority groups
* The proposed provision of 13 weeks transitional protection
WAG: Environment Minister, Jane Davidson, has launched a consultation (closes on 20 February 2009) on how the Welsh Assembly Government will measure its target to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 3% per year from 2011 onwards in devolved areas.
The Assembly Government has set a baseline against which its target can be measured and also identified areas where it can make a difference: transport, homes & buildings, businesses, the public sector, waste, agriculture and land use.
Press release ~
FSA: The Financial Services Authority (FSA) is consulting (closes on 26 January 2009) on proposals to reduce the minimum subscription period for companies undertaking a rights issue to either 14 calendar days or 10 business days. Reducing the minimum subscription period from 21 calendar days will help make capital raising more efficient.
These proposals follow recommendations made in the Rights Issue Review Group (RIRG) report to the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 24 November 2008. The proposed rule change will only apply to the minimum subscription period. Issuers and their advisers can still conduct their rights issues over a longer period, if required. The FSA will aim to finalise the proposals with changes to the relevant Listing Rules taking effect at the start of February 2009.
Press release ~ Rights issue subscription periods "CP09/4" ~ Association of British Insurers (ABI) recommendation to change guidelines on the allotment of shares ~ Report to the Chancellor of the Exchequer: by the Rights Issue Review Group
WAG: Strong & cohesive local communities are needed to meet the challenges of a modern, globalised world Minister for Social Justice & Local Government, Dr Brian Gibbons, said when speaking at the launch of a consultation (closes 6 April 2009) on the All Wales Community Cohesion Strategy, a One Wales commitment.
The draft strategy highlights the issues that can cause tensions within communities including intergenerational differences, competition for employment, the increased threat of terrorism, poverty and deprivation. While being aimed at everyone the strategy will be particularly useful for people working to improve community cohesion, provide services or develop local policies.
In addition, the draft strategy highlights how three key factors, housing, learning and communication skills, are vital to improving cohesion. The relationship between community cohesion & violent extremism and how the Welsh Assembly Government and communities across Wales are responding to the threat is also explained.
Press release ~
OFT: The OFT has reached a preliminary view to recommend to the Competition Commission that it relaxes ITV's Contract Rights Renewal (CRR) Undertakings. These were introduced following the merger of Carlton and Granada in 2003.
The OFT's consultation document (closes on 27 Feb 2009) explores a range of possible outcomes from, at one end of the scale, the removal of CRR in its entirety to retaining CRR largely as it is today, and various easements & modifications in between the two extremes.
