Science budget allocations reviewed
In the 2007 Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR), the Science Budget has increased to £11.24 billion; the increase from 2007-08 to 2010-11 is 17.5%, with a Government commitment to increase the science budget by 2.5% per annum in real terms.
This Report, 'Science Budget Allocations' (HC 215-I), looks at the overall Science Budget, and examines in greater detail the funds allocated to the Science and Technology Facilities Council, the Arts and Humanities Research Council, and the Medical Research Council.
Online Government services examined
The Internet has become an important way of improving the delivery of public services. The Government spends an estimated £208 million a year on delivering services and related information online, such as the renewal of vehicle excise duty, the filing of tax returns and for the matching of applicants to jobs.
This Report from the Committee of Public Accounts, 'Government on the Internet: Progress in Delivering Information and Services Online'
(HC 143), follows on from a July 2007 National Audit Office Report on the same subject (HC 529, Session 2006-07).
EU's financial management examined
European Union (EU) expenditure in 2006 was over £72 billion, with £2.9 billion in net UK contributions – the second highest after Germany.
This National Audit Office Report, 'Financial Management in the European Union' (HC 480), examines the state of financial management in the EU.
London 2012 Olympic budget examined
This Report, 'The Budget for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games'
(HC 85), examines the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and the Olympic Delivery Authority on the budget for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Role of the Attorney General examined
This Report, 'Reform of the Office of Attorney General' (HL 93), examines the role of the Attorney General as provider and co-ordinator of legal advice, and senior legal advisor to the Crown. It also examines the role of the Attorney General in individual prosecutions and its functions as a minister.
Government responds to 'Ticket Touting' report
This paper, 'Government Response
to the Culture, Media and Sport
Select Committee Report on Ticket Touting' (Cm. 7346), presents the Government's response to the January 2008 Culture, Media and Sport Committee Report 'Ticket Touting' (HC 202).
NHS pay rise of 2.75% recommended
This Report 'NHS Pay Review Body: Twenty-Third Report 2008'
(Cm 7337), by the NHS Pay Review Body, contains recommendations on the pay of
nurses, midwives and health visitors, professions allied to medicine (including
physiotherapists, occupational therapists, chiropodists and radiographers),
healthcare science professions, other healthcare professions (including
healthcare pharmacists and clinical psychologists), clinical support workers
and technicians.
House of Commons 'e-Petitions' scheme proposed
Historically, it has been seen as the right of every commoner to prepare and present petitions to the House of Commons in case of grievance and for the House to receive and respond to them.
This report, 'e-Petitions' (HC 136), follows on from a May 2007 Procedure Committee Report, in which support was expressed in principle for an e-petitioning system for the House of Commons.
Forecasts and measures of 2008 Budget examined
This Report, 'The 2008 Budget' (HC 420), examines the forecasts and measures contained in the 2008 Budget.
The Treasury's lower forecasts for economic growth in 2008 and 2009 are above the average of independent forecasters, suggesting that the Treasury may have given insufficient weight to the risks of continued financial market turbulence. It also suggests that some of the UK economy's characteristics that have been beneficial in past crises might prove to be channels through which the current problems in global financial markets are transmitted to the UK real economy.
Ticketing and concessionary travel on public transport reviewed
This Report from the House of Commons Transport Committee, 'Ticketing and Concessionary Travel on Public Transport' (HC 84), examines the aim of producing an integrated ticketing system across England, with the introduction of smartcard concessionary travel passes.
Economic impact of immigration examined
Immigration has become highly significant to the UK economy as immigrants now comprise 12% of the total workforce. In this Report, 'The Economic Impact of Immigration' (HL 82-I), the House of Lords Select Committee on Economic Affairs examines the impact of immigration on the UK economy.
Rapid reduction in domestic carbon emissions
needed
The Government plans that the three million more
households to be added to the housing stock over the next 12 years will be as
carbon-neutral as modern building methods, technologies, and regulation can
make them. However, given the UK's challenging target of reducing carbon
emissions by 60% by 2050, Government must pay as much attention to reducing the
carbon footprint of the existing housing stock as it does to new homes.
This Report, 'Existing Housing and Climate Change' (HC 432-I), examines the
challenge faced by the Government in attempting to reduce the carbon footprint
of the UK's existing housing stock.
Wide-ranging reform of 14-19 qualifications
proposed
The 2005 White Paper, '14-19 Education and Skills' (Cm.
6476), set out a wide-ranging reform programme of the curriculum and
qualifications system with the aim of improving the general education and
training of teenagers.
This strategy document, 'Promoting Achievement,
Valuing Success: A Strategy for 14-19 Qualifications' (Cm. 7354), further
develops the proposals and examines the ways that reform can be
established.
New working relations between Courts, Lord
Chancellor and the Judiciary
Her Majesty's Courts Service (HMCS), which is an agency
within the Ministry of Justice, manages the system of support for the carrying
on of the business of the courts, including infrastructure and resources. HMCS
provides the support necessary to enable the judiciary and magistracy to
exercise their judicial functions independently.
This Paper, 'Her
Majesty's Courts Service Framework Document' (Cm. 7350), sets out the terms of
an agreement between the Lord Chancellor and the Lord Chief Justice on a
partnership between them in relation to the effective governance, financing and
operation of HMCS with a view to preserving the due and independent
administration of justice.