General News
FDA: The FDA, the union for statisticians, economists and senior staff in the Office for National Statistics (ONS), has welcomed the recommendation by the Treasury Select Committee that the Treasury “review the ONS relocation programme as a matter of urgency”.
The recommendation is made in the report - The efficiency programme in the Chancellor’s departments - which is the outcome of an inquiry conducted over the last few months. The FDA wants the review to be conducted by an external body, carried out in a transparent way, and to produce a full public report.
Press release ~ Treasury Committee: The efficiency programme in the Chancellor’s departments ~ Earlier FDA comment
PCS: A consultation involving 280,000 members of the Public & Commercial Services Union (PCS) on the next steps of the union's campaign against civil & public service job cuts, below inflation pay and increasing privatisation is now underway.
The consultation which runs to 3 September includes workplace meetings, face-to-face contact and a mailing to all members. Nothing is being ruled in or out of the campaign, which could see further industrial action in the Autumn should there be no breakthrough in talks. Following the consultation the union intends to ballot members on any proposals for further industrial action.
Home Office: Immigration Minister Liam Byrne helped break the ground for a new removal centre at Gatwick last week. The new facilities, which will open in 2008 under the name Brook House, are a key part of the Border and Immigration Agency's (BIA) plans to increase deportations of foreign nationals who are in the UK illegally.
Brook House will be a purpose-built secure facility with 426 male & female detention bedspaces - providing safe & secure facilities for those who have entered the UK illegally. It will be situated within the boundary fence of Gatwick Airport, close to existing immigration facilities at Tinsley House.
Press release ~ Border and Immigration Agency's (BIA) ~ Deportation ~ National Coalition of Anti-Deportation Campaigns ~ Amnesty UK ~ BIA Business Plan ~ BIA: Detained fast track flexibility
MoD: Minister for Defence Equipment & Support, Lord Drayson, welcomed the announcement of the decision to build the two 65,000 tonne aircraft carriers, to be named HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales, and BAE Systems & VT Group's creation of a Joint Venture (JV), which will be a key part of the alliance of MOD and Industry constructing the ships.
HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales are expected to enter service in 2014 and 2016 respectively. The order will be placed with an alliance of companies (including the JV) and will cost around £3.9bn, although the alliance and MOD have agreed to work together to reduce this figure before a final price is settled in 2009.
The announcement recently was the result of the Naval Base Review. It is now intended to retain all three naval bases (Devonport, Faslane and Portsmouth), with Portsmouth being the base for the future carrier and bringing together surface ship building & support through the Joint Venture, for Clyde to be the focus of the future submarine force and Devonport to deliver deep upkeep & sea training.
Press release ~ The Royal Navy’s Future Aircraft Carriers ~ Naval Technology explained ~ Naval Base Review 2006 ~ Strategic Defence Review (SDR) ~ Defence Industry Strategy White Paper ~ Fleet Support Limited
HM Treasury: The Economic Secretary to the Treasury, Kitty Ussher has laid Regulations that will implement a reform package for Individual Savings Account (ISAs). Key elements of the reform package, which comes into effect from 6 April 2008, are:
* ISAs are available indefinitely;
* All Personal Equity Plans (PEPs) will automatically become stocks and shares ISAs;
* Savers can transfer money saved in cash ISAs into stocks and shares ISAs;
* A new structure and limits, removing the Mini/Maxi distinction. Every adult will have an annual ISA investment allowance of £7,200. Up to £3,600 of that allowance can be saved in cash with one provider. The remainder of the £7,200 allowance can be invested in stocks & shares with either the same or another provider.
OFT: Following the collapse of the Farepak Hamper company last year, the OFT is launching a pilot scheme in Scotland to help consumers decide how best to ensure they can afford to pay for Christmas. In Scotland, where 31,000 consumers lost money after the Farepak collapse, involves working with Scottish community groups & partners to explain what options are available when saving for Christmas.
Groups which are supporting the campaign include Citizens Advice Scotland, Scottish Centre for Financial Education and Young Scot. Following the pilot, activities will extend to other parts of the UK later in the year.
Press release ~ Safe Xmas – a quick guide to paying for Christmas ~ Suggested different options ~ Citizens Advice Scotland ~ Scottish Centre for Financial Education ~ Young Scot.
PCS: The Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) has warned that job cuts in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs will further undermine the ability of the department to co-ordinate future flood responses.
Defra, which has overall responsibility for the response to the ongoing floods crisis are cutting 550 jobs by March 2008, which will be followed by a 5% year-on-year budget cut until 2011. The union expressed fears that the department lacks capacity to co-ordinate responses to extreme weather events.
On a more positive note, one of the UK’s leading benevolent funds is calling on those current & former civil servants affected by the flooding to make contact for financial assistance & advice.
