General News
MoD: The Royal Navy's newest & most powerful Type 45 destroyer - Diamond – has been launched from BAE's shipyard at Govan, on the Clyde. The Type 45s are the larger & more powerful replacement for the existing Type 42s and will carry the world-leading PAAMS system (Principal Anti-Air Missile System) which is capable of defending a Type 45 & ships in its company from multiple attacks by the most sophisticated anti-ship missiles.
As well as providing air defence over a wide area, including for the future aircraft carrier, the Type 45 will be able to conduct a wide variety of other operations. They will be able to carry up to 60 Royal Marines Commandos & their equipment, support Special Forces operations and operate a Chinook sized helicopter from the flight deck. The size of the ship will also allow accommodation standards to be better.
Press release ~ Royal Navy: Type 45 class destroyers ~ BAE Systems: Type 45 Destroyer ~ Type 45 Anti Air-Warfare Destroyer Integrated Project Team ~ Type 45 Destroyer fact sheet ~ Principal Anti-Air Missile System - PAAMS (Aster)
Cabinet Office:
The Civil Service Fast Stream Team is pleased to announce that the Summer Diversity Internship Programme is once again open for applications until 6 January 2008. The programme is aimed at high calibre individuals interested in applying to the Fast Stream, a competitive graduate development programme that identifies people with the potential to progress to the Senior Civil Service.
In particular, the Internship Programme seeks to help groups that are currently under-represented in the Fast Stream gain a better understanding of career opportunities within the Civil Service. It is open to UK nationals either from an ethnic minority background or with a registered disability, with a minimum 2.2 (expected or awarded) degree.
PCS: The Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) have announced a two day strike by members working for the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) in Jobcentres, the Pension service and Child Support Agency (CSA), as the department walked away from last minute talks in a dispute over the threatened imposition of a below inflation pay offer.
The 2-day strike (to be followed by an overtime ban) on Thursday 6 December and Friday 7 December adds to the pressure on the government following rows over party funding and the loss of child benefit data.
Members are angry over the three year pay offer, which sees cost of living increases for longer serving staff members of 2% this year, 0% next year and 1% in the final year. The pay offer averages just 1% a year over the three years and sees the lowest paid receiving increases which take their wage to only 24 pence above the minimum wage.
