General News

DCMS: Graduates getting their first break in the arts thanks to a Government-funded bursary scheme will be keeping you up-to-date with their experiences in the Bursary Blog. Young people who have secured placements in the arts industry under the initiative will explain how the scheme has benefited them and give you a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the organisations they are working for.
Press release
 
STFC: The World's largest space telescope, ESA's Herschel Space Observatory, has celebrated one year of spectacular science by showcasing some of the latest groundbreaking research at the Royal Astronomical Society in London on 14 January 2011.
Press release ~ UK Space Agency website
 
PCS: The PCS civil service union has announced its members have also voted by a massive margin to reject cuts to redundancy terms. Members of the Prison Officers' Association voted by 95% against the new scheme (on a turnout of 48%). 
 
PCS announced  that 90% of its civil service members who voted in its ballot also rejected the scheme that was laid in parliament shortly before Christmas. Both unions have called on the government to reopen negotiations in light of these overwhelming results and the POA is considering joining PCS in taking legal action.
Press release
 
DirectGovTickets for the London 2012 Olympic Games will go on sale from 15 March 2011.  Paralympics tickets will become available on 9 September 2011.
Press release ~ London 2012 tickets
 
BHF: Researchers have found that women who have multiple miscarriages before their first child is born are more likely to have parents who suffer from heart disease. The study suggests miscarriage and heart disease may be affected by the same genes and that this should be investigated further. The research is published in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
Press release ~ Family history and heart disease
 
FSACans of Mas-River fried dace with salted black beans have been recalled because of high levels of histamine, which can cause scombrotoxic fish poisoning if eaten.  The Food Standards Agency has issued a Product Recall Information Notice.
Press release ~ Oriental Merchant (Europe) Ltd recalls one batch of Mas-River Fried Dace with Salted Black Beans due to high levels of histamine
 
Newswire – TUC: The TUC has published the first in a series of newsletters to help vulnerable workers (and the union members who protect them in the workplace) find out more about their basic employment rights at work.
 
In February 2011, a new website will be launched, outlining the basic employment rights for different categories of vulnerable workers.  Further information will be available about rights at work and how union reps can use enforcement bodies to protect these rights.
Press release ~ VWP newsletter ~ The Union Modernisation Fund: A Guide To Emerging Learning
 
SGC: The Sentencing Council's first Sentencing Competition has now been launched. An initial written round will take place in February 2011, and the 6 highest scoring students will then compete in the semi-final & final rounds to be held at The Old Bailey in March 2011 and presided over by Lord Justice Leveson.

All current BPTC and LPC students are invited to take part and email their expressions of interest (stating name, course and university/law school address) by Tuesday 1 February 2011.
Press release
 
PCS: Transport ministers & officials have been heavily criticised by the PCS union for deciding to close the Driving Standards Agency's Cardiff office but holding back the announcement for more than a month. A document leaked to the union show the closure plans, which will mean the loss of 80 jobs, were confirmed by 13 December 2010, but transport minister Mike Penning told officials to delay the announcement until ‘while the public sector situation in Wales was considered and to enable the announcement to be made when parliament was sitting’.
 
Union reps were not officially told, despite a previous written agreement they would be informed of the management’s decision on 15 December 2010. In addition, the agency’s chief executive Rosemary Thew sent all staff a memo suggesting ‘concerns could be discounted’. The circular reassured staff she would “keep them fully informed” about any ‘firm proposals’ – yet PCS now know a memo had already been drafted to inform Cardiff staff of the office closure decision.
Press release ~ Download a copy of the ‘leaked’ document ~ DSA announces closure of Cardiff area office
 
OFT: The OFT has announced a market study, supported by Ofwat, looking at the market for treatment of organic waste.  The study will look at whether the market is working effectively to deliver the best outcomes for customers.  Organic waste has 3 mains sources: sewage, food scraps discarded as part of household rubbish and waste products from the food & farming industries.  
 
There are new opportunities to use advanced technologies for producing energy from this waste.  These include techniques like 'anaerobic digestion' which ferment organic waste and produce clean energy.  The study will examine whether there are appropriate incentives in place for the efficient use of these technologies.
Press release ~ Further Q&A on the market study ~ Ofwat's review of economic regulation in the water and sewerage sectors
 
DUK: Children across the UK have been gathering support for the Diabetes UK Children’s Charter, calling for equal access to treatment, high quality medical care and excellent support in schools.  

Over the next few weeks Diabetes UK is urging as many more people as possible to add their support and show Government & decision-makers that they have to act on the Children’s Charter and ensure that young people with diabetes have a better future.  A Diabetes UK delegation will present the petition to 10, Downing Street in the Spring.
Press release ~ Children's Charter Petition
 
ScotGov: An early trial of an innovative way to tackle extreme temperatures on Scotland's roads has provided favourable results. A liquid solution was recently successfully tested on hard-packed snow and ice on a Huntly road in Aberdeenshire.  

It will provide a new way of clearing roads at temperatures of up to -20 degrees and strategic stocks will be placed around the country for targeted use during lower temperatures, when normal salt is not as effective.
Press release ~ Transport Scotland
 
SESport England and the charity Leonard Cheshire Disability have joined forces to launch Yoodo Sports, a new project to help people with disabilities take up & enjoy sport

Yoodo Sports will bring disabled people together with activity ‘buddies’ – people who may or may not have an impairment themselves, but want to help others play sport or be active.  This initiative will make it easier to find someone to exercise with and have fun.
Press release ~ Yoodo Sports website ~ Watch the launch video
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