General Reports and Other Publications

DWP: New research by Ipsos MORI shows a mixed bag of emotions for those waking up on day one of retirement with under a third saying they felt relaxed and under a quarter feeling free, while a surprising one in ten felt anxious, sad or lost.
 
Over 1,000 people over 55 were interviewed to find out their views on retirement and work.  People approaching retirement admitted there's lots they'll miss about their jobs when they stop.  Topping their ‘miss list’ are work friends, being challenged, office banter and a reason to get out of the house, but three quarters of Brits are looking forward to binning the Christmas party.
 
This month marks the start of a two year countdown to state pension age changes for women, which sees the state pension age for women start to gradually rise from 60 to 65 from 6th April 2010.
Press release ~ Pension Service ~ State Pension age calculator ~ Understanding the basic State Pension ~ BBC - Coping with retirement
 
DWP: A qualitative research report on the In-Work Support (IWS) component of the 'Pathways to Work' incapacity benefit reform pilots which provides in-depth accounts of customer and staff experiences has been published by the Department for Work and Pensions.
 
The research forms part of a comprehensive independent evaluation of 'Pathways to Work' which aims to consider the overall impact of the programme, in addition to understanding the different elements and how they affect the employment outcomes of incapacity benefit customers who take part.
Press release ~ Research report 478: Pathways to Work: In-work Support: Qualitative Findings ~ Research Report No 435: Corporate Document Services The impact of Pathways to Work ~ Pathways to Work ~ National Centre for Social Research
 
HEFCE: Research published by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) analyses league tables that provide rankings of universities for newspapers and on the web.  It also looks at how universities and colleges in England respond to such rankings.
 
While there is clearly a demand for league tables among prospective students and others, many feel dissatisfied with the way they are compiled. The research analysed five university league tables and investigated how higher education institutions (HEIs) respond to them, including their effect on university managers, governors and their decision-making.  It is based on a survey and case studies.
Press release ~ 'Counting what is measured or measuring what counts? League tables and their impact on HEIs in England' ~ National Student Survey (NSS) ~ Centre for Higher Education Research and Information (CHERI) at the Open University ~ Hobsons Research ~ Sunday Times Good University Guide ~ The Times Good University Guide ~ The Guardian University Guide ~ Academic Ranking of World Universities ~ Times Higher Education Supplement (now THE)/Quacquarelli Symonds (THES-QS) ~ The Good University Guide
 
DIUS:  Career & educational development, accommodation and value for money were some of the key issues raised by university under & postgraduates during five student juries, the results of which have been published.
 
Students studying across the country were asked to give their verdict on university life to help inform the work of the new National Student Forum, set up by the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills in January to give students a voice in Government.
Press release ~ Student juries ~ Student Listening Programme - DIUS
 
Defra: The huge potential of reusing waste wood as fuel is being wasted.  The significant carbon & energy benefits of recovering energy from waste wood are detailed in a new information report on the sector that surveys the activities of producers, aggregators and users of waste wood.
 
Recycling and energy markets for clean, virgin wood have been growing in recent years; however waste wood has been a largely overlooked resource.  Currently up to 10m tonnes of waste wood is being produced in the UK each year, most of which goes to landfill.
 
The publication of the Waste Wood Information Report fits well with the intended convergence of energy and waste policy by creating greater awareness of this substantial, indigenous and largely untapped biomass resource available in municipal, construction & demolition and commercial & industrial waste streams.
Press release ~ Waste Wood Information Report ~ Waste Strategy for England 2007 ~ UK Biomass Strategy ~ Waste Management - WRAP ~ Waste online ~ Wood Waste Gives Manufacturer a Warm Feeling
 
ScotGov: Scottish police forces need to work together to develop a clear strategy for custody management to inform future design & development of the physical facilities for custody, according to a report published by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary for Scotland (HMICS), which contains a number of recommendations for improvement and identifies best practice from which forces can learn.
Press release ~ Custody facilities report ~ Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary for Scotland (HMICS)
 
ScotGov: The first ever report on the state of Scotland's seas was published last week, to help lay the groundwork for the new Scottish Marine BillScotland's Seas: Towards Understanding their State outlines the cleanliness, health and productivity of Scotland's waters.

The report is an initial assessment and paves the way towards the publication in 2010 of a comprehensive 'State of Scotland's Seas'.  This will be necessary as we prepare for the initial assessment of our seas required under the recently completed Marine Strategy Framework Directive.  There will be a public consultation on the Scottish Marine Bill later in the year.
Press release ~ Scotland's Seas: Towards Understanding their State ~ Sustainable Seas Task Force ~ Fisheries Research Service (FRS) ~ Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) ~ Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH)
Spotlight on women at Serco – Anita’s story