Consultations
DH: At report stage of the Health Bill in the Commons recently, MPs agreed the Government's proposals which mean that shops will no longer be allowed to promote tobacco in enticing multi-coloured displays. MPs also agreed to an amendment, tabled by Ian McCartney MP, to prohibit tobacco vending machines.
The nuts & bolts of how the Government’s proposed new tobacco control laws will work in practice are now out for consultation (closes on 4 January 2010). The Government is calling for views about key elements of the laws to make sure they are practical & affordable.
Press release ~ Health Bill ~ Consultation on proposed tobacco control regulations in England (under the Health Bill 2009)
BIS: Following Lord Mandelson’s announcement of a postgraduate review in July 2009, the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has issued a call for evidence from all those with an interest in this topic.
The Review, headed by Professor Adrian Smith, will consider the benefits of postgraduate study to the economy and the UK as a whole, as well as other wide-ranging issues including research competitiveness and the UK’s international position. It is due to report back by Spring 2010 and will look at both the strengths & weaknesses of the current system, including the diverse way services are provided across the sector.
Press release ~ BIS - Postgraduate Review ~ Views Sought For Review Of Postgraduate Provision In The UK (closes 17 Dec 2009)
BIS: The Government has set out its plans to give Britain’s 1.3m agency workers a fairer deal in the workplace. As agreed last year by the TUC & CBI, the changes will give agency workers the right to the same pay, holidays and basic conditions as permanent staff after 12 weeks on a given job.
The government has now published a consultation (closes on 11 December 2009) which sets out detailed proposals for implementation in the UK of the EU’s Agency Workers Directive. It follows a policy consultation that took place earlier in 2009.
Press release ~ Employment Agencies: Implementation of the Agency Workers Directive: A Consultation on draft regulations ~ EU Agency Workers Directive ~ Closed earlier consultation ~ BIS – Employment Agency Standards ~ May 2009 Joint Declaration
BIS: The Government has launched a consultation (closes on 8 January 2010) setting out its intention to implement a series of recommendations (through a Direction to Ofcom) made by the Independent Spectrum Broker (ISB), Kip Meek, on how to make the best use of the digital spectrum – the airwaves which all mobile telecommunications networks need to operate.
The proposals will make available parts of the spectrum suitable for mobile broadband and 3G to offer more sophisticated services & applications. Lack of bandwidth & exclusive use of certain wavelengths for 2G services, such as voice calls & text messages, has constrained the expansion of mobile internet services.
Press release ~ Consultation on a Direction to Ofcom to Implement the Wireless Radio Spectrum Modernisation Programme ~ Digital Britain report
MoJ: The government has launched a public consultation (closes on 7 January 2010) on whether to introduce prison sentences for those found guilty of offences related to obtaining, disclosing, or selling personal data. The proposals could see those convicted imprisoned for up to 12 months (magistrates’ court), or up to 2 years (Crown Court). The courts will also be able to impose community sentences & fines if appropriate.
The government is clear that it does not wish to restrict legitimate data processing in the public interest – claiming that ‘legitimate & responsible journalism has an important place within a democratic society and the government firmly supports the freedom of the press’.
The consultation will therefore also look at whether an additional defence should be introduced for those acting for the purposes of journalism, art or literature with a view to publishing such material in the reasonable belief that the obtaining, disclosing or selling of the information is in the public interest.
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