Space Weather: UK urged to develop defences
Space weather, the effects of a high altitude electro-magnetic pulse, is a global threat and may affect many regions and countries simultaneously.
The report 'Developing Threats: Electro-Magnetic Pulses (EMP)’ (HC 1552) examines the need for the Government to identify where the lead responsibility lies in the event of EMP.
Britain could become world leader in marine renewables
Up to 20% of the UK’s future energy could come from wave and tidal resources according to the report 'The Future of Marine Renewables in the UK’ (HC 1624).
Although technologies that can harness the power of the sea to generate electricity are still in their infancy, developing a thriving wave and tidal industry could bring enormous economic benefits to the UK.
Wales to develop inward investment opportunities
Since the abolition of the Welsh Development Agency (WDA) in 2006, overseas investment opportunities in Wales have been missed, due to the lack of a dedicated trade promotion agency.
In this report ‘Inward Investment in Wales' (HC 854-I) the Welsh Affairs Committee urges the Welsh Government to consider the establishment of a new agency to restore its global standing.
Safeguarding the future of investigative journalism
‘The Future of Investigative Journalism: Report' (HL 256) identifies the need for news organisations and regulators to make important changes to protect the future of investigative journalism.
As a result of declining readership and the migration of advertisers from print to online, many local newspapers have been forced to close and many journalists have lost their jobs.
Clarity needed for Scottish independence
The Secretary of State for Scotland has identified the key themes which require clarification ahead of a referendum on Scottish independence.
The report ‘The Referendum on Separation for Scotland: Unanswered Questions’ (HC 1806) sets out the questions submitted by the public on these themes.
Ministry of Defence forced to defer expensive projects
A report by the Committee of Public Accounts examines how the cost of completing major Ministry of Defence (MoD) equipment projects, outstrips the savings available if they are deferred.
'Ministry of Defence: The Major Projects Report 2011’ (HC 1678) examines the original estimated costs for 15 of the MoD’s largest projects, which have already risen by £6.1 billion to approximately £60 billion.
Defence skills at risk from reduced workforce
The report ‘Managing Change in the Defence Workforce: Ministry of Defence’(HC 1791) looks at the challenges and potential risks facing the Army as it plans for future reductions in headcount.
The need for the Department to cut costs means that it will have to reduce headcount in advance of planning future operations, which could lead to further skills shortages.
Joined-up approach key to social care
Older people are being let down by fragmented care services, ‘Social Care’ (HC 1583-I) examines the need to integrate health budgets to improve outcomes for patients.
New clinical commissioning groups and local councils should create a single commissioning process, to move money around the local health, housing and social care system.
Family justice to give voice to children
'The Government Response to the Family Justice Review: A System with Children and Families at its Heart’ (Cm 8273) proposes a system with children's and families' needs at its heart.
The Government accepts the overwhelming majority of the recommendations made by the final report of the Family Justice Review to ensure children's voices are heard before and during the court process.
Operational change needed to cut costs, says NAO
Analysis of central government department accounts identifies that whilst effective action was taken in 2010-11 to reduce spending, better understanding of costs is imperative to meet further cuts by 2014-15.
In ‘Cost Reduction in Central Government: Summary of Progress: Cabinet Office and HM Treasury’ (HC 1788) the National Audit Office warns that long-term changes are required by Cabinet Office and HM Treasury to achieve a further 19% of cutbacks as required by the spending review.
Approach to UK security outlined
The Government has set out its new approach to technology, equipment, and support for UK defence and security following on from public consultation last year.
The White Paper, 'National Security Through Technology: Technology, Equipment, and Support for UK Defence and Security’ (Cm. 8278) lays out value-for-money objectives to provide security services with necessary equipment.
Awareness should be raised for personal online protection
As online economic activity increases, the Government must increase public understanding of how to protect themselves against harmful software, 'Malware and Cyber Crime’ (HC 1537) discusses.
The Science and Technology Committee recommends that a campaign to prolong awareness of personal online security be aired on television to gain the widest possible exposure.