General News
MoD: A total of 140 members of the Armed Forces have received honours & awards in the Operational Honours List dated 30 September 2011.
Press release & links
MoD: As part of the Armed Forces Redundancy Programme, the Royal Navy has notified personnel selected for redundancy in Tranche 1 of the programme. Approximately 1,020 Naval Service personnel, comprising around 670 applicants and around 350 non-applicants, have been notified.
Press release & links
ACE: 8 pioneering projects that will harness digital technologies for the benefit of the arts & cultural sector have been selected to receive funding from the Digital R&D Fund for Arts & Culture, run by Arts Council England, the Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC) and NESTA.
Press release & links
ScotGov: All those who use and enjoy 's waters are being encouraged to take 3 sensible measures to tackle invasive non-native species & minimise their spread. The Check, Clean, Dry campaign encourages anglers, boat owners, canoeists and all other water users to:
* Check equipment & clothing for live plants and animals
* Clean & wash all equipment, footwear & clothing thoroughly
* Dry all equipment & clothing, as some species can live for many days in moist conditions
Press release & links
ScotGov: NHS 24 has launched a new digital TV channel to improve patients' access to health information & advice from the comfort of their own home. The channel, available through Freesat, Sky & Virgin, gives people access to health advice & information on local services. An app for iphones, ipads & android smartphones also gives access to the digital service.
The channel offers information from NHS 24, NHS inform and Care Information Scotland web services, improving access to health information for those who don't have home internet access - often those from more deprived communities or older people who could potentially benefit most from this advice.
Press release & links
TfL: London Underground (LU) has announced that proposed changes to the District line will go ahead following overwhelming support (89%) during a public consultation. The changes will see the withdrawal of the lightly used weekday Kensington (
The new timetable, which will come into effect in December 2011, will reduce delays & provide capacity for an additional 4,000 passengers every weekday morning on the busy
In the evening, there will be further capacity for more than 800 people on services to Ealing Broadway and an enhanced late evening service on the
Press release & links
MoD: Army chaplain Stephen Hancock describes how life for a padre on operations can be tough but very rewarding. From carrying a 35-kilo
Press release & links
NE: The expansion of two of England’s finest National Parks reached a major milestone last week as Natural England’s Board agreed to proceed with recommendations to significantly expand the boundaries of the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales National Parks, increasing their combined area by nearly 500sqkm (subject to confirmation by the Secretary of State).
Press release & links
AC: As part of the National Fraud Initiative (NFI), the Audit Commission is launching a pilot scheme to help banks & credit providers identify fraudulent applications by immigration offenders. Through the NFI run by the Audit Commission the UK Border Agency will share information in ‘real time’ with financial institutions.
Press release & links
FSA: P & B Foods Ltd is recalling Heera Milk Powder because it has been packaged in unapproved premises. The Food Standards Agency has issued a Product Recall Information Notice.
Press release & links
MoJ: A new civil mediation directory replaces the National Mediation Helpline from 1 October 2011. It will help individuals & businesses to find a civil & commercial mediation provider anywhere in & . The mediation directory is an online tool and lists a number of local & national civil & commercial mediation providers, all of whom are accredited by the Civil Mediation Council.
Press release & links
DH: The Prime Minister & the Health Secretary, Andrew Lansley, have announced that patients will be able to access the NHS 24/7 through the new free to call NHS ‘111’ service – the number to call for all non-emergency NHS care & advice. If you need to see a GP urgently, the NHS 111 service will make sure this happens. Similarly, if you need to see a nurse or need an urgent home visit in the middle of the night, NHS 111 will organise that.
