UK energy markets should be more efficient
This Report from the Business and Enterprise Committee, 'Energy Prices, Fuel Poverty and Ofgem' (HC 293-I), inquires into the effect of the 'Big 6' energy companies - which include Npower, Centrica, EDF Energy, Scottish Power, and Scottish and Southern Energy - all raising their prices between January and April 2008.
The Report aims to feed into a separate inquiry being carried out by Ofgem.
Child Internet safety group should be established
The Internet has become an indispensable tool for communications, research and commerce. However, this Report, ‘Harmful Content on the Internet and in Video Games’ (HC 353-I), addresses the growing public concern at the Internet's dark side.
Armed Forces recruitment targets 'not being met'
Recruiting and retaining the right number of well-trained personnel is vital for the continuing success of the UK's Armed Forces. However, recruitment and retention targets are not being met.
This Report from the House of Commons Defence Committee, 'Recruiting and Retaining Armed Forces Personnel' (HC 424), sets out to examine the factors which hamper recruitment and retention in the Armed Forces and reservists and to identify what the Ministry of Defence is doing to improve these.
Unlawful interrogation techniques were used in Iraq
This Report from the Joint Committee on Human Rights, 'UN Convention Against Torture: Discrepancies in Evidence Given to the Committee About the Use of Prohibited Interrogation Techniques in Iraq' (HL 157 / HC 527), considers discrepancies in the evidence provided to the Committee about the use of prohibited interrogation techniques in Iraq.
It presents a follow-up to the Committee's 2006 report 'The UN Convention Against Torture (UNCAT)' (HL 185-I / HC 701-I), which focused on the UNCAT and its applicability to the UK armed forces.
Government sets out welfare reform plan
The Government's vision for the welfare state, based on the reforms proposed by David Freud in his 2007 report 'Reducing Dependency, Increasing Opportunity: Options for the Future of Welfare to Work', is one where no one is written off and everyone is required to fulfil their responsibilities to prepare for, look for, and take up work - with support provided at all stages.
The reforms set out in this Green Paper, 'No One Written Off: Reforming Welfare to Reward Responsibility - Public Consultation' (Cm. 7363), are designed to achieve an active and personalised welfare state, boosting employment and tackling long-term benefit dependency.
Coastal access plans examined
On 3 April 2008 the Government published its Draft Marine Bill (Cm. 7351), which proposes to legislate to give people right of access on foot all around the English coast.
This Report, 'Draft Marine Bill: Coastal Access Provisions' (HC 656-I), examines the provisons made by the Draft Bill for coastal access.
Government urged to reconsider sentencing policy
The 2003 Criminal Justice Act made provision to provide overall structure and clarity to sentencing by reserving prison for the most dangerous offenders and by making effective provision to deal with other offenders through community sentence.
This Report, 'Towards Effective Sentencing' (HC 184-I), evaluates the extent to which the provisions of the Act have been implemented. The Report also evaluates its impact on sentencing.
Equitable Life report published
This Report, 'Equitable Life: A Decade of Regulatory Failure' (HC 815), presents the findings of the second investigation by the Parliamentary Ombudsman into the prudential regulation of The Equitable Life Assurance Society during the period prior to 1 December 2001.
Better support for Armed Forces personnel
The Government asked all departments what more could, and should, be done to demonstrate commitment to the armed forces and gratitude for their service and sacrifice.
This paper, 'The Nation's Commitment: Cross-Government Support to our Armed Forces, their Families and Veterans' (Cm. 7424), is the result of that process.
Public services under pressure from migration
A new form of migration is evident, with many economic migrants not planning to stay long term - a trend that presents challenges for integration and cohesion. Many migrants make significant contributions to local communities, working in public services such as the National Health Service (NHS).
This Report from the Communities and Local Government Committee, 'Community Cohesion and Migration' (HC 369-I), examines the effects of migration on local communities.
House of Lords reform proposed
This White Paper, 'The Governance of Britain - An Elected Chamber: Further Reform of the House of Lords' (Cm. 7438), sets out the Government's proposals for a reformed second chamber.
It stems from the constructive discussions of a Cross-Party Group on House of Lords Reform, which followed the March 2007 Parliamentary votes on the proposals contained in the February 2007 White Paper 'The House of Lords: Reform' (Cm. 7027). The Group reached consensus on a number of key issues and this paper states where agreement was not reached.
Government plans immigration and citizenship reform
The 'Draft (Partial) Immigration and Citizenship Bill' (Cm. 7373), from the UK Border Agency (Home Office), is a Bill is to make provision about immigration and to replace the Immigration Acts, and to make provision about the requirements to be met for the acquisition of British citizenship by naturalisation.
UK tourism industry examined
Tourism is the UK's fifth largest industry, employing over 1.4 million people and generating over £85 billion for the economy every year.
This Report, 'Tourism' (HC 133-I), examines tourism from a broader perspective, looking at governance, funding, skills, and the environment. An earlier report, 'Structure and Strategy for Supporting Tourism' (HC 65, 2002-03), focused on the structure of the tourism industry.
Government plans to empower communities
This White Paper from the Department for Communities and Local Government, 'Communities in Control: Real People, Real Power'
(Cm. 7427), sets out an agenda to enhance the power of communities and help people to meet their own priorities.
A number of proposals are put forward seeking to devolve more power to citizens and away from both central and local government.
Progress in tackling benefit fraud considered
Benefit fraud is a crime and undermines public confidence in the benefits system. In 2006-07, the Department for Work and Pensions (the Department) estimated that it spent £154 million on tackling fraud, identifying £106 million of overpaid benefit against total benefit expenditure of £120 billion.
This Report from the Committee of Public Accounts, 'Progress in Tackling Benefit Fraud' (HC 323), examines the progress made by the Department in tackling benefit fraud. It follows a January 2008 National Audit Office Report on the same topic.
Lord Darzi proposes NHS overhaul
2008 marks the 60th anniversary of the creation of the National Health Service (NHS). In July 2007, Secretary of State for Health Alan Johnson announced that Professor Ara Darzi (now Lord Darzi of Denham) had been asked to carry out a wide-ranging review of the NHS.
'High Quality Care for All: NHS Next Stage Review Final Report by Lord Darzi' (Cm. 7432) sets out the Government's 10-year plan for the future of the NHS. It incorporates the views and visions of 2,000 clinicians and other health and social care professionals from every NHS region in England and has been developed in discussion with patients, carers, and the general public.
Further measures to protect depositors
The past year has seen a period of sustained turbulence and instability in global financial markets, with financial firms across the world affected. In Britain, the Northern Rock bank experienced a run on its deposits and, in February 2008, the bank was nationalised. A January 2008 consultation paper summarised the actions being taken by the Treasury, the Financial Services Authority (FSA) and the Bank of England in response to the disruption being experienced in the global financial markets.
This publication, 'Financial Stability and Depositor Protection: Further Consultation' (Cm. 7436), presents a further consultation paper on financial stability and depositor protection in the UK, following on from the January 2008 paper.
Dental services 'deteriorating'
In April 2006 the Department of Health (the Department) reformed the General Dental Service. Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) were given the power to commission dental services, the patient charging system was simplified, and under the terms of a new dental contract dentists were remunerated according to the number of Units of Dental Activity (UDA) completed. The Department issued a number of criteria for success.
This Report, 'Dental Services' (HC 289-I), assesses how far the Department's criteria have been met.