Legislation / Legal

HSE: Schools are being warned to make sure that full health & safety checks are carried out before pupils head out on work experience, following the prosecution of a Stafford company.  DeansfieldHigh School in Wolverhampton employed Making Learning Work Ltd of Brewood, Stafford in 2005 to locate extended work experience placements for 32 pupils at a cost of £650 each.
 
The company recently pleaded guilty to breaching section 3(1) of the Health & Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and was given one year’s conditional discharge and ordered to pay costs of £22,000 at Wolverhampton Magistrates’ Court, following an injury to a pupil on a placement in January 2006.
 
Section 3(1) of the Health & Safety at Work etc Act 1974 states:  ‘It shall be the duty of every employer to conduct his undertaking in such a way as to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that persons not in his employment who may be affected thereby are not thereby exposed to risks to their health or safety.’
Press release ~ HSE: Young people and work experience ~ National Council for Work Experience ~ Directgov: Work experience in Years 10 and 11 ~ Work Experience – Work Inspiration
 
BMI: The Baha Mousa Inquiry will resume its opening statements at 10am on Monday 21 September 2009. On that day, legal teams for most of the Core Participants will deliver their opening addresses, each speaking for approximately 20 minutes.
 
The Inquiry intends to call its first witness to give oral evidence on Wednesday 23 September.  It has published its first provisional witness list, which will be updated on a weekly basis and published on the Inquiry’s website.
Press release ~ Timetable of Hearings ~ Key Documents
 
HO: The fight against wildlife has been stepped up with the appointment of the first ever poaching priority officer for England & Wales. Former detective Gareth Cole will be dedicated to supporting the work of all English & Welsh police forces in tackling poaching as part of the government funded National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU) whose headquarters are in Scotland.
 
His role provides additional expertise for tackling serious crimes against wildlife, acting as a single point of contact in the coordination of investigation into poaching crimes in different police areas.  He will be working closely with his colleagues in the Scottish poaching priority delivery group.
Press release ~ National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU) ~ British Association for Shooting and Conservation ~ Deer Initiative ~ Defra – Tackling Wildlife crime ~ Partnership for Action against Wildlife Crime
 
HO: The latest Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules have been laid before Parliament recently and they will be incorporated into a consolidated version of the Immigration. The changes will come into effect on 1 October 2009.  Updated guidance for sponsors & applicants will be available on this website from 30 September 2009.
Press release ~ Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules
 
MoJ: The Probation Service is teaming up with Keep Britain Tidy for this year's 'Big Tidy Up' in which offenders on Community Payback are cleaning up areas of England that have been nominated by the new Tidy Up Champions. The 11 Champions will put offenders to work to tidy up areas of the community that will make a real difference to the lives of those living and working in the chosen area.  
 
The work with Keep Britain Tidy follows a public vote in which members of the public were encouraged to nominate and 'have their say' on projects they want to see made over by offenders in their area.  This is part of the ongoing 'Justice Seen Justice Done' Campaign to make justice more visible.
Press release ~ Big Tidy Up ~ Directgov - community payback ~ Keep Britain Tidy ~ Directgov - community payback ~ Tidy Up Champions
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