Consultations

HMT: A consultation on what tools the new Financial Policy Committee should have in order to help ensure future financial stability was launched last week.  The consultation, entitled The Financial Services Bill: the Financial Policy Committee’s macro-prudential tools, sets out the proposed tools that it will be able to use to address systemic risks to the UK financial system. 
 
The consultation is based on the recommendations made to the Government by the interim Financial Policy Committee.  Responses are requested by 11 December 2012..
Press release & links
 
DfE: The Government is seeking views on measures that aim to allow foster carers to make everyday decisions about the children they look after and cut unnecessary bureaucracy in the approval process to encourage more people to come forward to foster.  They also set out to reduce the time it takes to adopt & make the whole process more user-friendly.   Consultation closes on 7 December 2012.
Press release & links
 
WAG: A consultation has begun on proposals to improve services to children & young people at risk of entering, or who are already in, the youth justice system.  The Minister for Local Government and Communities, Carl Sargeant has published a Green Paper exploring options to improve youth justice provision in Wales including whether there is a need for legislation.  Consultation closes on 11 December 2012..
Press release & links
 
DECC: A new way to measure fuel poverty in England is being proposed by the Government following the independent review on this issue by Professor John Hills of the London School of Economics (LSE) published in March 2012. Ensuring more accurate measurement will help to design effective solutions to fuel poverty, allowing the resources available to be targeted where they are needed most.
 
The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) is proposing to adopt a new definition based on the overall framework suggested by Hills in his review.  This new proposed definition includes dual indicators separating the extent of the issue (the number of people affected) from its depth (how badly people are affected) as a way to measure the problem. The consultation closes on 30 November 2012..
 
DECC will publish its decisions following the consultation early in 2013, alongside an updated  fuel poverty strategy to ensure resources are being used in the best possible way.
Press release & links ~ Written Ministerial statement
 
BIS: Business and Enterprise Minister Michael Fallon has published a consultation on implementing European Union (EU) legislation to combat the problem of late payment to British businesses. The UK was one of the first countries to introduce late payment legislation and is already seen as an exemplar across Europe.  Implementing the EU Directive will therefore create a level playing field for UK businesses trading with other businesses & public authorities in all Member States.
 
The Government is already working alongside industry bodies in the UK to encourage more businesses to sign up to the Prompt Payment Code which encourages good practice.  Over 1,100 businesses have already signed up to the Code.  The consultation closes on 19 October 2012..
Press release & links
 
WAG: The Minister with responsibility for Transport, Carl Sargeant, has proposed new targets for casualty reduction as part of a ‘vision zero’ Road Safety Delivery Plan consultation (the final Plan is anticipated to be published in early 2013. The consultation will include specific targets for motorcyclists & young people – the 2 most vulnerable road users groups and will set out the Welsh Government’s approach to road safety until 2020.
 
In 2011 motorcyclists accounted for 1% of road traffic in Wales but 39% of those killed & seriously injured, whilst young people made up 11% of driving licence holders but 23% of casualties. The consultation will end on 13 December 2012..
Press release & links
 
EU News: The future of mobility in our cities was discussed last week at a conference where the European Commission also announced the launch of a public consultation, giving citizens and all interested parties the opportunity to contribute to the future development of the EU's urban transport policy. Consultation closes on 10 December 2012..
See ‘EU Legislation, Initiatives, etc’ section for more information.
 
DfE: On 17 September 2012, Education Secretary Michael Gove made an announcement on the reform of Key Stage 4 exams. The consultation on the changes closes on 10 December 2012..
See ‘In the News’ section for more information.
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