Consultations
Monitor: Health sector regulator Monitor and NHS England are working together to reform the way NHS services are paid for. Hospitals are currently paid through the Payment by Results system, which has been in operation for nearly a decade and has delivered benefits.
However feedback from the health sector is that the current system is not sufficiently patient focused, not always based on good quality information, and can act as a barrier to delivering integrated care.
However feedback from the health sector is that the current system is not sufficiently patient focused, not always based on good quality information, and can act as a barrier to delivering integrated care.
The two organisations are publishing a joint discussion paper (responses by Friday 19 July 2013), which asks for views on the future of the payment system, and a call for evidence (by 10 June 2013) on the way hospitals are reimbursed for some emergency admissions.
The discussion paper also sets out possible improvements and presents early thinking on setting objectives and designing the NHS payment system.
The discussion paper also sets out possible improvements and presents early thinking on setting objectives and designing the NHS payment system.
HMRC: A HMRC consultation considers changes to VAT zero-rating of exports where goods are supplied to UK VAT registered customers established in countries other than the UK. A further change will be made to amend an outdated reference to Excise law.
The purpose of this consultation is to consider whether the proposed changes to VAT law achieve the intended result, and to understand the impact of the changes on affected businesses. Consultation closes on 5 July 2013.
The purpose of this consultation is to consider whether the proposed changes to VAT law achieve the intended result, and to understand the impact of the changes on affected businesses. Consultation closes on 5 July 2013.
DECC: Views are sought on the site selection process elements of the UK’s on-going Managing Radioactive Waste Safely (MRWS) programme, and the Government has issued a call for evidence (responses required by 10 June 2013).
This forms part of the on-going ‘lessons learned’ exercise following the conclusion of west Cumbrian involvement in the existing site-selection process. Responses to the call for evidence will inform a public consultation later in the year.
This forms part of the on-going ‘lessons learned’ exercise following the conclusion of west Cumbrian involvement in the existing site-selection process. Responses to the call for evidence will inform a public consultation later in the year.
DECC has also separately published the consultation response & guidance on the regulatory justification process for the re-use of plutonium. The guidance sets out the process for submitting applications for the re-use of plutonium, and outlines the regulatory decision-making process. This guidance supplements the existing regulations.
TfL: With London's population set to boom, plans are underway for a vital new rail line, Crossrail 2, in order to support this future growth. Transport for London (TfL) and Network Rail have launched a public consultation on the proposed routes. The consultation will seek the views of people in London and the southeast of England and will close on 2 August 2013.
HMT: The government has launched a consultation on allowing the transfer of existing savings from Child Trust Fund accounts into Junior ISAs. There are proposals within the consultation that look at whether the government should provide scope for further intervention at a later date, if necessary.
This, for example would work to address any risks to the long-term viability of the Child Trust Fund. One option for further intervention being kept under review is the merging of Child Trust Funds into Junior ISA. Consultation closes on 6 August 2013.
This, for example would work to address any risks to the long-term viability of the Child Trust Fund. One option for further intervention being kept under review is the merging of Child Trust Funds into Junior ISA. Consultation closes on 6 August 2013.
Monitor: Monitor is seeking the views of local people on its findings in relation to the conduct of Cornwall & the Isles of Scilly Primary Care Trust (Cornwall PCT) following a complaint by an independent sector provider. The closing date for submissions is 28 May 2013 and Monitor will publish its final report on the case on 21 June 2013.
DfT: The government has published a call for evidence on the balance of competence between the UK & the EU on transport. The Department for Transport is seeking views from individuals & groups with an interest or experience in transport policy and its application on how the competence is used and what that means for Britain.
The public call for evidence on transport will close on 6 August 2013. Following the call for evidence, a report on the current balance of competence on transport and what this means for the national interest will be published by the end of the year.
MoJ: Lawyers, business groups & the public are all being asked to submit their views on the balance of competences between the UK & the EU on civil judicial cooperation (including family matters). Anyone wishing to contribute should submit their evidence before midday on 5 August 2013. A report on the outcome of the review will be published in December 2013.
DCMS: A call for evidence from the culture, sport & tourism sectors to investigate the UK’s relationship with the EU was launched last week. It aims to provide the culture, tourism & sport sectors with an opportunity for people from across the spectrum to have their say on what the EU means for them, and help inform our understanding of how EU powers affect these sectors.
Anyone wishing to contribute should submit their evidence before midday on 5 August 2013. A report on the outcome of the review will be published in December 2013.
DWP: The Government has launched a call for evidence on the balance of powers between the UK and the EU on the Free Movement of Persons, 1 of the ‘4 Freedoms’ of the EU Internal Market. The Home Office and the Department for Work and Pensions are seeking views on how the powers are used, and what that means for Britain.
Anyone wishing to contribute should submit their evidence before midday on 5 August 2013. A report on the outcome of the review will be published in summer 2013.
DfT: The first phase of HS2, the planned high speed railway between London, the West Midlands, Manchester and Leeds moved another step forward last week with the launch of consultations (both closing on 11 July 2013) on the project’s draft Environmental statement (ES) and proposed design refinement:
* The draft ES sets out HS2 Ltd’s current thinking on plans to integrate the line into the landscape using the very latest design & construction methods, both during building & operation
* The design refinement consultation is an opportunity to comment on the most significant proposed changes to the design of phase one of the scheme between London and Birmingham
FRC: Melanie McLaren, Executive Director of Codes & Standards for the Financial Reporting Council has commented on the International Accounting Standards Board’s (IASB) endeavours to improve lease accounting.
The FRC is interested in hearing the views of UK constituents on whether the IASB’s exposure draft provides the optimal solution, particularly with regard to whether the benefits of the proposed standard would outweigh its costs. Press release & links
The FRC is interested in hearing the views of UK constituents on whether the IASB’s exposure draft provides the optimal solution, particularly with regard to whether the benefits of the proposed standard would outweigh its costs. Press release & links
MoJ: New national standards to raise the quality of experts used in family courts and get rid of time-consuming evidence which adds little value in helping judges reach a decision were announced by the Government last week.
Under the new plans experts who are well-qualified & experienced will continue to provide their valuable service in advising the family courts – but the so-called experts who provide evidence which is simply not up to scratch will be driven out.
Under the new plans experts who are well-qualified & experienced will continue to provide their valuable service in advising the family courts – but the so-called experts who provide evidence which is simply not up to scratch will be driven out.
The Government has been working to bring down the average time taken for care cases to be concluded to 26 weeks (from 45), to reduce the impact on children involved. The consultation closes on 18 July 2013.
ScotGov: Before & during sporting events at next year’s Commonwealth Games, anyone involved in unauthorised trading or advertising will be liable to have merchandise seized or be fined up to £20,000 upon conviction.
The Scottish Government’s consultation sets out proposals for the controls, detailed maps of the event zones affected and the period of proposed restrictions. Consultation closes on 7 August 2013.
The Scottish Government’s consultation sets out proposals for the controls, detailed maps of the event zones affected and the period of proposed restrictions. Consultation closes on 7 August 2013.
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:
