White Paper outlines initiatives to encourage giving
In a bid to heighten the number of people who give time and money to causes they support, the Cabinet Office has compiled a number of ideas to simplify the process of giving.
'Giving White Paper' (Cm. 8084) aims to make it easier and more compelling for people to contribute to charitable organisations; through donations and volunteering.
Inquiry findings suggest state failed to protect Rosemary Nelson
'The Rosemary Nelson Inquiry Report’ (HC 947) found no evidence of state agencies contributing to the murder of solicitor Rosemary Nelson but concludes that there was insufficient prevention of the attack.
Sir Michael Morland looked into the murder of the solicitor in Lurgan, Northern Ireland, after a bomb exploded under her car near her home in March 1999.
MPs sceptical about Kraft’s Cadbury takeover
A Committee has criticised Kraft’s decision to manage globally recognised chocolate brand Cadbury outside of the UK and concerns have been raised about a downfall in employee work conditions.
The Business, Innovation and Skills Committee looks into the undertakings agreed upon by Kraft in the previous parliament on manufacturing and job retention in the report 'Is Kraft working for Cadbury?’ (HC 871).
Transparency of BBC scrutinised by Culture Committee
The Culture, Media and Sport Committee believes that confidence has been lost in the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) since its sudden licence fee settlement with the Government without public and Parliamentary consultation.
The report 'BBC Licence Fee Settlement and Annual Report’ (HC 454), details how the BBC Trust has undermined its commitment to public transparency through the rushed licence fee agreement and reluctance to expose talent salary information.
Implementation of electronic patient records delayed
A high cost initiative to record NHS patient care electronically is expected to be applied nationally five years later than originally planned as reported in 'The National Programme for IT in the NHS: an Update on the Delivery of Detailed Care Records Systems: Department of Health’ (HC 888).
The National Audit Office (NAO) reports that electronic care records systems are being put in place across the National Health Service (NHS) under the National Programme for IT at a far slower rate than anticipated and the core aim that every patient should have an electronic care record under the Programme will not now be achieved.
Plans outlined for House of Lords election reform
Proposals to change the House of Lords into a more democratically elected second chamber are outlined in the draft Bill and White Paper, 'House of Lords Reform Draft Bill’ (Cm. 8077).
A cross-party Committee met seven times from June to December 2010 and considered all reform issues related to the House of Lords. Agreement was reached on a large number of issues but differences in opinion remain on the size of the elected element and the type of electoral system. The Government now wants to take the discussion forward to a debate on the detail.
Importance of winter weather impact on UK transport recognised
Preparation to prevent disruption to transport networks in bad winter weather conditions is essential after the UK faced its third consecutive cold winter in 2010-11 with heavy snow.
'Keeping the UK Moving: the Impact on Transport of the Winter Weather in December 2010’ (HC 794) examines how snow chaos last December closed Heathrow, disabled parts of the rail network and disrupted many roads.
Proposals for adult social care law reform outlined
The Law Commission recommends the most far-reaching reforms of adult social care law seen for over 60 years in its report 'Adult Social Care’ (HC 941).
For the first time, older people, disabled people, those with mental health problems and carers will be clear about their legal rights to care and support services under new proposals. Local councils across England and Wales will also have clear and concise rules to govern when they must provide services.
Committee discusses risks of one-stop Work Programme
Concerns have been raised over the new largely privatised initiative for employment of jobseekers as discussed in 'Work Programme: Providers and Contracting Arrangements’ (HC 718).
The Work Programme, which will consolidate existing programmes that help benefit claimants to find work, is scheduled to be implemented nationwide by June 2011 and will be delivered on a regional basis by a framework of prime contractors, the majority of which will come from the private sector.