General News

DH: The NHS contribution towards the costs of a place in a care home with nursing is being increased by 1% for 2013 to 2014.
Press release & links
 
Defra: The latest round of the Darwin Initiative will see a total of £8.7m committed over the next 3 years, including £5.5m to fund 21 new conservation projects in developing countries across Latin America, Africa and Asia.
 
In addition a new ‘Darwin Plus’ fund will see around £2m dedicated to supporting environmental projects in the UK Overseas Territories over the next 2 years.  Funding for Darwin Plus will come from Defra, FCO & DFID and will go to projects such as; eradicating invasive black rats from the British Indian Ocean Territory and developing marine & fisheries management for the Pitcairn Islands.
Press release & links
 
EH: A new exhibition at the Jewel Tower in Westminster will tell the story of this intriguing building.  The Jewel Tower has endured whilst the face of the country, and those who ruled it, has changed over the last 650 years.  New for April 2013, the exhibition will reveal the 3 different lives of the Jewel Tower – from kings’ treasury to parliamentary record office and finally, the Office of Weights & Measures for the British Empire.
Press release & links
 
TfLDoes your child have a yellow & blue 11-15 Oyster photocard? Then make sure you apply for a free replacement by 31 July 2013, before the current one stops working.
Press release & links
 
 
SFAApplications Go Live for 24+ Advanced Learning Loans. These loans will help learners aged 24 or above pay the fees charged by colleges & training providers for courses at Level 3 & Level 4, or Advanced and Higher Apprenticeships.
Press release & links
 
DFID: Britain will help end Darfur’s dependency on emergency relief and give millions the chance to grow food and rebuild their livelihoods.    Starting this year, a new £67m package will help the poorest people to become better able to cope with the devastating impact of conflict or manmade disasters – such as helping communities to grow their own food, or giving them the skills that will enable them to work and access to local markets.
Press release & links
 
DfT: New technology is being brought in to make it easier for local councils & utility companies in England & Wales to manage road works. The electronic changes that come into force on 1 October 2013 will modernise the way road works are co-ordinated & administered, with more information on the timing & co-ordination of road works being stored on one computer system.
Press release & links
 
TfLTransport for London is encouraging runners, spectators, motorists & passengers to plan their journeys ahead of the 2013 Virgin London Marathon which will take place on Sunday 21 April.  Travel advice is being offered at tfl.gov.uk/marathon with details provided on how transport services will run during London's largest annual running event.
Press release & links
 
UKOC: At OCF Training, they get many requests for PTLLS courses (Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector) - but they know that lots of centres can struggle to release staff for learning.  That’s why they have been working with the NEC (National Extension College) to pilot a NEW delivery model, blending face-to-face workshops with online learning.  Staff can achieve their City & Guilds qualification within 4 months.
 
If you’d like to be a part of this pilot, and get a flexible PTLLS qualification, get in touch with them now.
Press release & links
 
ACE: A £1m Arts & older people in care programme, jointly funded by the Arts Council England and The Baring Foundation has been launched.  The 3-year programme aims to provide access to quality arts experiences for older people in residential care, as both participants and audiences.  

It will be implemented by partnerships or consortia led by residential care providers or arts organisations, and it is envisaged that around 4 proposals will be funded.
Press release & links
 
MoD: 5 more Australian soldiers have been identified from the First World War mass graves found in northern France. In 2009 remains of 250 unknown soldiers were recovered from mass graves discovered in Fromelles, scene of the 1916 Battle of Fromelles, which was a joint operation between British & Australian troops.
Press release & links ~ Commonwealth War Graves Commission - Fromelles ~ Australian Army - Fromelles ~ 1916 Battle of Fromelles ~ Imperial War Museum: Remembering Fromelles
Spotlight on women at Serco – Anita’s story