Legislation / Legal

DfE: The Government has recently responded to the judgment following judicial reviews from 6 local authorities on the Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme
Press release ~ Written Ministerial Statement
 
WAG: The Minister for Heritage, Alun Ffred Jones, has welcomed the news that the Welsh Language Measure has received Royal Assent. The Measure meets the 3 One Wales commitments by confirming the official status of Welsh, providing the means for establishing linguistic rights in the provision of services and creating the post of Language Commissioner.
Press release ~ Welsh Language (Wales) Measure
 
Newswire – RoSPA: The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents says the first conviction under the new corporate manslaughter law should make firms with a lax approach to safety take action to put their own houses in order.
 
Cotswold Geotechnical Holdings has been convicted of the new offence of corporate manslaughter in relation to the death of a 27-year-old geologist.  The firm was sentenced at Winchester Crown Court last week and it has been fined £385,000, payable over 10 years.
Press release ~ RoSPA: Director Leadership and Involvement in Health and Safety
 
Newswire – EC: The Electoral Commission has said it will now start to deliver the first UK-wide referendum since 1975, following Royal Assent to the Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Act.  On Thursday 5 May 2011, voters across the UK will decide whether we use ‘first past the post’ or ‘alternative vote’ to elect MPs to the UK Parliament in future.
 
The EC will send an information booklet to all 27.8mn households in the UK.  The booklet explains what elections are taking place, the referendum question, how to take part in the referendum and elections on 5 May and gives an independent explanation of the ‘first past the post’ and ‘alternative vote’ systems.  The booklet will be supported by a multi-media advertising campaign.  

The Commission will also now start to register campaigners for the referendum and to receive applications to become the official lead campaigners for a ‘yes’ & ‘no’ vote.
Press release with related links
 
HO: As part of its commitment to advancing equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual & transgender (LGB & T) people, the government last week announced that religious buildings will be allowed to host civil partnership registrations. The change, which is entirely voluntary and will not force any religious group to host civil partnership registrations if they do not want to, is being introduced as part of the Equality Act.
Press release
Spotlight on women at Serco – Anita’s story