General Reports and Other Publications

DIUS: A Government Office for Science review commends the Department of Health on good practice in the way it commissions, manages and uses science.  The report highlighted examples of good practice including the 'Best Research for Best Health' strategy in setting direction for NHS research & development, the role of the Policy Liaison Officers in the Policy Research Programme to support evidence based policy and the role of the Scientific Advisory Committees in providing advice.
 
However, the GO-Science Review also found that, given the importance of science to the Department of Health policies, there could be more consistency in the effective management of science, joint working (both across disciplines and with stakeholder groups), developing mechanisms to share & manage knowledge effectively and the use of external scientific advice & expertise.
Press release ~ NHS Science Review ~ BERR – Science in Government ~ Science reviews ~ Guidance to Government Departments on Using Science ~ 'Best Research for Best Health' strategy
 
Ofsted: According to a report - ESOL in the post-compulsory learning and skills sector: an evaluation - published recently by the Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills (Ofsted), inadequate ESOL in colleges is now rare.  The report examines the quality of English training for speakers of other languages, including migrant workers, refugees and asylum seekers who reside in England.
 
Ofsted found that despite marked improvements with the quality of ESOL training and overall success rates, only around half the ESOL provided by colleges and a fifth by adult and community learning providers is found to be‘good or outstanding.
Press release ~ ESOL in the post-compulsory learning and skills sector an evaluation ~ Skills for Life Strategy ~ Get On campaign ~ Directgov - English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) ~ Adult ESOL Core Curriculum  ~ Citizenship materials for ESOL Learners ~ Community ESOL report and resources ~ Certificates in ESOL Skills for Life ~ Adult ESOL (English For Speakers of Other Languages) Strategy for Scotland
 
ESRC: A new study, funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), looks at why there is currently little use of biological pesticide alternatives in the UK. Biopesticides can play a significant role in a more sustainable food chain as chemical pesticides are withdrawn due to resistance problems, or because they are no longer commercially viable, according to the research.  Chemicals also endanger workers’ health and can contaminate groundwater.
 
The research suggests that consumer concerns about toxic residues could undermine the recommended ‘five a day’ target for the consumption of fresh fruit and vegetables.  Biological control agents such as naturally occurring fungi, bacteria or viruses are applied in much the same way as chemical pesticides to fight insect pests, but have obvious benefits as they:
* have little impact on other organisms
* are compatible with other natural enemies
* do not leave toxic residues
* are relatively cheap to develop
Press release ~ ‘Biological Alternatives to Chemical Pesticide Inputs on the Food Chain: An Assessment of Sustainability’ ~ Rural Economy and Land Use Programme ~ ESRC Society Today ~ Pesticides Safety Directorate (PSD) ~ National Pesticides Strategy ~ PRC reports
 
ScotGov: Responses to the Scottish Government's consultation on tackling Scotland's alcohol misuse problem have been published. Key proposals in the strategy for tackling alcohol misuse include setting a minimum price for a unit of alcohol, raising the off-sales purchase age to 21, an end to irresponsible promotions and a social responsibility fee for some retailers.
 
October 5-11 was Alcohol Awareness Week, which is supported by ScotGov in partnership with a wide range of alcohol industry organisations.  It was an opportunity for everyone in Scotland to think about how much they're drinking and whether excessive alcohol consumption could be harming them and people around them.
Press release ~ Responses to the Alcohol Consultation from, Members of the public and Organisations/Companies ~ Alcohol Awareness Week ~ ScotGov - Alcohol ~ Discussion paper setting out our strategic approach to tacking alcohol misuse ~ A Question of Architecture: Executive Summary ~ 12 Dimensions of a Manageable Problem ~ Scottish Association of Alcohol and Drugs Action Teams ~ Scotland’s alcohol culture ~ Safe, Sensible, Social - consultation on further action (includes related documents) ~ Alcohol resources ~ DH – Alcohol misuse ~ Working with the alcohol industry ~ Home Office – Alcohol Misuse
 
ESRC: Britain’s post-war baby boomers, associated throughout their lives with social change, are failing to break new ground in their approach to growing old. Academic research supported by the Economic and Social Research Council and Arts and Humanities Research Council shows that most members of the baby boom generation – often regarded as the first teenagers of a more affluent consumer society - have modest ideas for their retirement.

The first wave baby boom generation, born between 1945 and 1954, represents 17% of the UK population.  Born at a time of austerity, this group later experienced relative prosperity and the emergence of a mass consumer society.
Press release ~ ‘Boomers and beyond: intergenerational consumption and the mature imagination’ ~ ESRC Society Today ~ Arts and Humanities Research Council ~ Cultures of Consumption programme
 
DCMS: Public buildings could be opened up for free or at subsidised prices for use by adult learning groups, Skills Secretary, John Denham, announced as he pledged to work with Culture Secretary Andy Burnham to secure better access to libraries, museums and colleges.
 
The proposals form part of Skills Secretary John Denham's promise to bring to life a new vision to help adults learn for pleasure & personal or community development and were endorsed by respondents to the recent consultation, Informal Adult Learning - Shaping the Way Ahead.
 
Culture Secretary Andy Burnham has launched a review of public libraries, asking how they can modernise, embrace the digital age and better involve their local communities.
Press release ~ Informal Adult Learning - Shaping the Way Ahead ~ DCMS - Libraries
 
DH: Health Secretary, Alan Johnson, has welcomed publication of a landmark international report, which highlights that mental health services in England are leading the way in Europe. The report, from the World Health Organisation, was published on 10 October to mark World Mental Health Day.
Press release ~ World Mental Health Day ~ Time to change ~ Policies and practices for mental health in Europe ~ DH – Mental Health ~ Survey of users of mental health services 2008 ~ Care Programme Approach Association ~ DH – Care Programme Approach ~ Improving Access to Psychological Therapies Implementation Plan: National guidelines for regional delivery ~ New Savoy Declaration ~ Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health ~ 'We Need to Talk' coalition of mental health charities ~ Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) ~ British Psychological Society ~ DH - Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) Guidance) ~ Choices in Mental Health: Psychological therapies ~ London School of Economics Depression Report ~ Unite/Mental Health Nurses Association ~ UK Inquiry into Mental Health and Well-being ~ Mind ~ National review of adult specialist community mental health services in England ~ National Service Framework for mental health ~ Reviewing the Care Programme Approach 2006 – Closed Consultation
 
Comp C: The Competition Commission (CC) has published its provisional findings report on retail Payment Protection Insurance (PPI). The report concludes that, as with other types of PPI policy, retail PPI is highly profitable for distributors and there is little competition between providers on price & other factors, limited ability for customers to search for alternatives or switch products and a considerable point-of-sale advantage for the providers.
 
The CC has also published a Notice of Possible Remedies for retail PPI, inviting views (no later than 31 October 2008) on how best to remedy the problems identified.  The notice includes most of the remedies consulted on for other types of PPI policies, as well as a possible requirement to sell retail PPI separately from merchandise cover.
Press release ~ Notice of provisional findings on retail PPI ~ Retail finance PPI: Provisional findings report ~ Notice of possible remedies for retail PPI
 
ScotParl: The Scottish Commission for Public Audit has published its report on a review of Audit Scotland's corporate governance arrangements. The review was prompted in part by a request from Audit Scotland's board to consider the implications of a similar review of the governance of the National Audit Office in England.
Press release ~ Review of the corporate governance of Audit Scotland ~ Audit Scotland
 
FA/NISNorthgate Information Solutions, a leading provider of innovative services to the public sector and utilities markets, has called on the government to better engage citizens and overhaul the procurement process, so as to radically improve service delivery and restore public confidence in the police.

In a wide-ranging response to the Policing Green Paper, Northgate urges a fundamental shift towards the shared ‘purchase of solutions’ to support change management, at a time when IT procurement remains disaggregated and costs are too high.

Northgate argues that a ‘full service revolution’ can be achieved by developing ‘problem-solving partnerships’, which would engage with the public and empower them to interact in the fight against crime and improve the quality of life in their localities.
Press release ~ Green Paper: From the neighbourhood to the national: policing our communities together ~ Northgate Public Services response
 
ScotGov: A new Energy Assistance Package which includes advice on energy tariffs, a benefits and tax credit check and energy efficiency improvements for those struggling most to heat their homes & pay their energy bills is the key recommendation of the Scottish Fuel Poverty Forum in its report 'Towards 2016 - The Future of Fuel Poverty Policy in Scotland', following a thorough review of current policy & programmes which have an impact on fuel poverty.
 
There is a statutory commitment on ScotGov to eradicate fuel poverty by 2016 and in May 2008, the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing, Nicola Sturgeon tasked the forum of stakeholders and its independent chair, Rev Graham Blount, with producing a strategy that made the most effective use of existing resources.
 
However, the Forum warns that this package alone will not achieve the 2016 target.  In addition, it believes a step change in investment is required, as soon as possible.
Press release ~ Scottish Fuel Poverty Forum ~ 'Towards 2016 - The Future of Fuel Poverty Policy in Scotland' ~ Energy Action Scotland ~ Help the Aged in Scotland ~ Age Concern Scotland ~ The Poverty Alliance ~ Energy Saving Trust Scotland ~ Association for the Conservation of Energy ~ Scottish HECA Officers Network
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