Consultations

EU News: In order to tackle low levels of consumer & business confidence in online transactions, the European Commission is asking citizens and other interested parties how electronic signatures & electronic identification (eID) & authentication can help the development of the European Digital Single Market.

The results of this consultation (closes on15 April 2011)will feed into the EC's review of the existing eSignature Directive and the preparation of a planned initiative on the mutual recognition of electronic identification & authentication.
Press release plus links to consultation & related documents
 
ScotGov: Scotland's first Social Housing Charter (SHC) has moved a step closer, Housing & Communities Minister, Alex Neil, announced last week. A discussion paper has been published summarising responses from a series of summer road shows.  It also provides suggestions on how to develop the Charter further. 
 
The SHC will define what social landlords should be doing for the customers they serve: their tenants; homeless people; and others who use their housing services. Comments are requested by 16 May 2011. The ScotGov is planning to publish a draft Charter in the summer for formal consultation.
Press release ~ Scottish Social Housing Charter discussion paper
 
ScotGov: Important aspects of succession law are the focus of a Scottish Government new consultation (closes on 23 May 2011). The consultation, targeted at the legal sector but open to all interested parties, will review the current financial limits regarding prior rights of surviving spouses & civil partners on intestacy and confirmation to small estates.
Press release ~ Succession Law in Scotland: Review of Financial Limits of Prior Rights and Confirmation to Small Estates
 
FSA: The Financial Services Authority (FSA) has published proposals to strengthen its existing rules on with-profits to improve protection for policyholders. Last year the FSA carried out a review of the way in which firms have met the requirements for the fair treatment of with-profits policyholders that were introduced in 2005.  The FSA’s review identified a number of concerns about the way in which firms were operating their with-profits funds and treating their policyholders.
Press release plus links
 
WAG: The Chief Medical Officer for Wales, Tony Jewell, has announced the start of a consultation (closes on 18 May 2011) on new plans to reduce smoking and exposure to second-hand smoke. The Tobacco Control Action Plan for Wales builds on the Welsh Assembly Government’s programme of measures to discourage young people from starting to smoke, support smokers who want to give up and promote smoke-free environments, but will particularly aim to protect children and reduce inequalities in health.
 
The main aim is to drive down smoking levels to 16% by 2020 with an ultimate vision of a smoke-free society for Wales, in which the harm from tobacco is eradicated.
Press release ~ Consultation on draft Tobacco Control Action Plan for Wales
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