Consultations
HM Treasury: HM Treasury and the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform have published a consultation document (closes on 14 February 2008) on proposed changes to the Consumer Credit Act 1974 to prevent the dual regulation of mortgages.
Regulation of Modified Credit Agreements: a consultation asks for views on a proposed change to the Act to ensure that the regulatory regimes of the Financial Services Authority and the Office of Fair Trading for mortgages remain mutually exclusive. The proposed change will provide clarity on the regulatory position and reduce the potential burdens associated with dual regulation.
Press release ~ Regulation of Modified Credit Agreements: a consultation ~ Financial Services Authority ~ Office of Fair Trading
ScotGov: A consultation (closes 29 February 2008) on the principles of water charging that will guide the work of the Water Industry Commission in determining water charge levels for 2010-14 has been launched. The consultation includes:
* The maintenance of existing principles that are critical to fair & affordable water services
* Further movement towards more obviously cost-reflective charges
This charging review will conclude in November 2009 with the Water Industry Commission setting limits on the water and sewerage charge levels that Scottish Water can apply during 2010-14. It will only do so following the decisions that Ministers make on the principles that they would wish to see the Commission apply during that period.
Press release ~ Paying for Water Services 2010-14: A Consultation on the Principles of Charging for Water Services ~ Water Industry Commission ~ ScotGov - water
CLG: Local Government Minister John Healey has published Creating Strong, Safe and Prosperous Communities: draft statutory Guidance for consultation on the duties under the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act - the consultation closes 12 February 2008. See ‘In the News’ above
DH: Health Secretary, Alan Johnson, has published a new plan to increase preparedness and better protect the public against a possible flu pandemic. The DH is also launching a public consultation (closes 22 February 2008) on possible amendments to the medicines and associated legislation. See ‘Guidance Notes and Best Practice’ below.
DH: The Department of Health and the Food Standards Agency have set out stricter controls on the promotion, labelling and composition of Infant and Follow on Formula. New EU legislation, being implemented into law, will ensure that all types of formulae meet the nutritional needs of babies - whilst ensuring that breastfeeding is not undermined by the marketing and promotion of such products.
A consultation (closes on the 13 February 2007) on the draft Statutory Guidance notes has also begun and the Agency is seeking views from all stakeholders. See ‘EU legislation, initiatives’ below.
