General News

DWP: Those wanting to make a difference to the employment opportunities of ethnic minorities and influence Government policy are being urged to apply for membership of the Ethnic Minority Advisory Group (EMAG), which provides advice to the Ethnic Minority Employment Task Force on what is likely to work best for ethnic minority communities.
 
It reviews planned initiatives to ensure they have the best chance of success, makes recommendations on new initiatives that Government could take forward and examines existing policies to advise if they are working as intended.
 
Applicants are being sought from various sectors including education, voluntary & community groups, training providers, faith groups & employers. Membership of EMAG is voluntary & unpaid.  The closing date for applications is Friday 26 February 2010.
Press release ~ Ethnic Minority Employment Task Force
 
DfT: Travellers flying between the UK & Bangladesh are set to enjoy more frequent flights and a greater choice of destinations after new air services arrangements were agreed, Transport Minister Paul Clark has announced. Following recent negotiations in Dhaka, the number of flights allowed between the two countries will increase from 10 to 31 services a week on each side.  
 
The new arrangements also allow airlines from either country to operate services between anywhere in Bangladesh and any UK airport, instead of just Heathrow, Manchester and Dhaka.
Press release
 
LLUK: The Registration Committee for the CLD Standards Council for Scotland have been looking for a model of registration best suited to the values & diversity of the Community Learning & Development field. After months of discussion & scrutiny of existing models in comparable fields, their recommendation is that the CLD Standards Council pursue a voluntary model of registration for workers, managers, training providers and others involved in CLD. 
 
There will be a small number of categories of registration, depending on qualifications & experience.  The committee will work on the details of these and consult with the field before finalising the model.  This consultation will begin with a series of events around the content of a Code of Practice for the CLD field.
Press release ~ Further details
 
NICE: The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence has commented on last week’s claims by UK bariatric surgeons that some obese patients are not getting access to the NHS weight-loss surgery they need (as recommended by NICE).
Press release ~ NICE guideline ~ Commissioning guide
 
WAG: Money Saving Expert, Martin Lewis, has joined forces with the Welsh Assembly Government to spread the word that credit unions are a safe & reliable way to save money for people from all walks of life and ‘are an excellent alternative to high interest or illegal moneylenders to whom people might turn in the recession’.
Press release ~ WAG: Credit unions
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