UK Government forms Committee for financial stability
The Government intends to take control of the UK’s current financial crisis by creating a new regulative committee.
The document ‘A New Approach to Financial Regulation: Judgement, Focus and Stability’ (Cm. 7874) outlines the new Financial Policy Committee’s (FPC) responsibility to manage the UK’s fiscal deficit and encourage stability in the system with macro-prudential tools.
Plans for the most radical policing reform in 50 years
‘Policing in the 21st Century: Reconnecting Police and the People’ (Cm. 7925) outlines Government plans to revolutionise the structure of the UK police force by introducing a community led system.
The main objective is to increase democratic accountability in policing by delegating responsibility to individuals who understand the main priorities for crime and anti-social behaviour in specific areas of the UK.
Increased demand for children and family court service
The Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass) have had to deal with around 40% more care cases in the last two years.
The report, 'Cafcass's response to increased demand for its services: Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service’ (HC 289) reports on Cafcass’s management of an extra 200 new care cases each month from November 2008.
Value for Money savings programme forecast scrutinised
‘Progress with VFM Savings and Lessons for Cost Reduction Programmes: HM Treasury’ (HC 291) reports that the forecast made by government departments to save £35 billion between 2008-09 and 2010-11 is not viable.
The National Audit Office (NAO) concludes that HM Treasury's design addressed some weaknesses in earlier savings programmes, and departments have made some progress in their management of their programmes compared with previous spending periods.
Department reviews management of the Community Care Grant scheme
The report ‘The Community Care Grant: Department for Work and Pensions’ (HC 286) concludes that there is not enough clarity as to whether money from the Community Care Grant scheme is being claimed by people who need it most.
The Community Care Grant, supported by £141 million worth of funding aims to help vulnerable people and their families to establish themselves and remain in their community.
Government strives to improve UK marine area
‘UK Marine Policy Statement: A Draft for Consultation’ is the framework that outlines plans to ensure the UK marine area improves through environmental, social and economic considerations.
A new system of marine planning has been introduced through the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009, the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010 (listed below) and proposed legislation in Northern Ireland.
Public to be given more power in plans to localise NHS
The Government proposes to put patients at the heart of the National Health Service (NHS) in a radical restructure of the current service, as discussed in ‘Equity and Excellence: Liberating the NHS’ (Cm. 7881).
The public will have greater choice and control over how healthcare services are coordinated through a blend of Conservative and Liberal Democrat ideas to improve patient experience and outcomes.
Latest review of Public Service Agreements reports on gradual improvement
'Taking the Measure of Government Performance’ (HC 284) concludes that data systems to show taxpayers how their money is being spent is clearly focused on objectives and has shown gradual improvement.
Public Service Agreements (PSAs) were introduced in 1998 by the then Government as a means to prioritise aims using taxpayers’ money by measuring their efficiency.
Ministry of Defence estate should focus on value for money
The Ministry of Defence (the Department), one of the largest landowners in the UK, has strengthened its estate planning and achieved significant receipts from disposal of property, but the changes are not yet sufficient to drive value for money for the taxpayer rigorously.
While the defence estate primarily exists to support defence capabilities, the Department has not matched its focus on operational needs with enough attention to efficient use of its estate assets and to reducing costs.
Growth in lower life expectancy in England’s deprived areas
Health inequalities between the rich and poor in England are increasing, as discussed in ‘Tackling Inequalities in Life Expectancy in Areas with the Worst Health and Deprivation: Department of Health’ (HC 186).
The Department of Health has made a serious attempt to improve life expectancy in poorer areas of the country but will fail to reach targets set out in 2000 by 10% if current trends continue for 2010.
Environment Agency’s funding has had little impact on reducing diffuse water pollution
The Environment Agency’s (the Agency) plan to work towards new standards for England’s water bodies, including rivers, canals and lakes has not proved value for money after contribution of £8 million did not encourage significant improvement.
The report 'Tackling Diffuse Water Pollution in England: Environment Agency’ (HC 188) reviews the Agency’s agreement set out in 2000 to improve water quality over a 27 year period.
Ministry of Justice take steps to improve financial management
The National Audit Office reports that the Ministry of Justice (the Ministry) has made progress in keeping track of its finances but its overall approach falls short of consistent best practice.
The financial performance of the Ministry impacts upon taxpayers, its partners and suppliers through its use of resources to deliver its core objective of developing a modern, fair, cost-effective and efficient system of justice.
HM Revenue and Customs take considerable steps to improve National Insurance administration
As detailed in ‘The Efficiency of National Insurance Administration: HM Revenue & Customs’ (HC 184), by reducing staff, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) have made significant progress to improve the efficiency of National Insurance administration.
There were 1,200 National Insurance (NI) administration staffing reductions in the period of 2009-10, which has encouraged wider savings targets set by the Spending Reviews of 2004 and 2007.
Group set up to consider financial support for House of Lords members
An ad-hoc group was set up in December 2009 to consider and consult on matters relating to the fiscal contributions provided for Members of the House of Lords.
The group was formed following an agreement by the House to the principles of a recent report by the Review Body on Senior Salaries (SSRB), to follow terms of reference set by the House.
Law Commission performance reviewed in its 44th Annual Report
The process of law reform in England and Wales was successfully applied in the year 2009-10 with a number of the Commission’s recommendations being implemented, as reported in ‘Law Commission Annual Report 2009-10’ (HC 127).