Policy Statements and Initiatives

DH: The government has recently published a report providing an overview of responses to the consultation on strengthening the NHS Constitution. Further information about the government’s response will be available when the updated constitution is published by April 2013.
Press release & links
 
DH: The NHS Information Service for Parents, an online service for help & advice about all aspects of parenthood, was this month extended from covering pregnancy and the first 6 months, to now giving relevant information on bringing up babies up to 9 months old.  By April 2013 it will also cover children up to 18 months of age.
Press release & links
 
WAG: Two reports commissioned by the Welsh Government to better understand the impact of the welfare reforms show that the changes to the UK welfare system announced prior to last December’s Autumn Statement will reduce total benefit & tax credit entitlements in Wales by around £590m in 2014-15.  Additional cuts announced in the Statement mean losses will be even higher than this.
Press release & links
 
DfETeachers & special educational needs (SEN) support staff will be able to bid for funds from the scheme worth up to £2m to deepen their subject knowledge & develop their skills. The application window, which opens for three weeks from 8 April 2013, will offer funding to teachers in the four priority subjects of English, mathematics, science and SEN.
Press release & links
 
WAG: A new website which provides statistical information on every maintained school in Wales has been launched by the Welsh Government. The website, mylocalschool.wales.gov.uk, provides an accessible, valuable information portal for parents & carers and those interested in school education statistics in Wales.
Press release & links
 
WAG: Health Minister Lesley Griffiths has outlined the Welsh Government’s priorities for tackling substance misuse between 2013-15.
 
The 3rd delivery plan of the Welsh Government’s 10 year Substance Misuse Strategy, ‘Working Together to Reduce Harm’, sets out the actions to be taken nationally, regionally & locally to reduce the harm caused by drug & alcohol misuse.
Press release & links
 
FCO: Foreign Office Minister Mark Simmonds has commented on fish stocks around South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands, following Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall’s Fish Fight television program last week.
Press release ~ CH4: Fish Fight
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