General Reports and Other Publications

BIS: Responding to the Science and the Media Expert Group report, Lord Drayson, Science and Innovation Minister, said: “I'm very grateful to Fiona and her group for producing this Action Plan…….. The plan contains a number of initiatives to raise the profile of science journalism and programming and improve their operating environment”.
Press release ~ Science and the Media: Securing the Future ~ Science and the Media Expert Group
 
ESRC: Following recent media reports of racial strife and gangs in high security prisons in the UK, a new study funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) paints a more encouraging – if sometimes contradictory - picture of multicultural prison life.  Although tensions between ethnic groups and resentment of institutional race equality approaches are common, most prisoners appear to be comfortable with diversity.
 
Ethnicity, Identity and Social Relations in Prison’ explores how prisoners’ ethnic identities helped them cope with prison life, and whether such identities informed a social pecking order and the formation of gangs.  More specifically, it exploresthe influence of prison practices on prisoner and group identities. 
Press release ~ Ethnicity, Identity and Social Relations in Prison ~ Identities and Social Actions
 
CLG: Communities Secretary John Denham re-affirmed the Governments ‘commitment to tackling race inequality and pledged to tackle inequality wherever it exists’,when he published Tackling Race Inequality: A Statement on Race.
 
In addition, the Government Equalities Office has launched a new ambassadors network -180 individuals from a diverse range of backgrounds who currently hold a range of public appointments, such as membership of NHS trusts and boards of public bodies - who will be encouraging people from under-represented groups to consider applying for public appointments.
Press release ~ GEO: Equality Bill ~ REACH role modelling ~ Tackling Race Inequality: A Statement on Race ~ Operation Black Vote ~ National Black Boys Can Association ~ Show Racism the Red Card
 
OfstedCreative approaches to learning can help raise school standards but secure subject knowledge and careful planning are vital, according to a report published by Ofsted, the Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills.
 
The report, Learning: creative approaches that raise standards, confirms that pupils’ motivation, progress & attainment in primary & secondary schools were improved by creative approaches to learning. Inspectors found that in schools with good teaching, there was no conflict between the National Curriculum and creative approaches to learning.  Many disaffected or low attaining secondary school pupils in the schools visited gained confidence and then competence in their learning work.
Press release ~ Learning: creative approaches that raise standards
 
FSA: The Food Standards Agency has published new research about country of origin labelling. The study consisted of 5 separate pieces of research that have been pulled together into one report.  A new European Food Information Regulation is being developed to promote clear & consistent food labels to help consumers make appropriate & informed choices
 
Tim Smith, Chief Executive of the FSA, said: “This research shows that even though ‘country of origin’ isn’t a top priority for consumers, confusion remains over what ‘Produced in the UK’ actually means…….. 'European labelling rules being proposed will require businesses that make origin claims to provide further information, so that people will know where their food actually comes from, not just where it was processed”.
Press release ~ Country of origin labelling guidance ~ Country of origin labelling: a synthesis of research
 
WO: Secretary of State for Wales, Peter Hain, has welcomed a report by Welsh MPs that concludes that the process for new powers to be passed from Westminster to the National Assembly for Wales is working well.
Press release ~ Welsh Affairs Committee – Review of LCO Process ~ Wales Office ~ Related news item
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