The Eddington Transport Study, the case for action
The UK transport system currently supports 61 billion journeys a year.
It is already clear that some parts of the system are under severe strain and significant transport challenges are looming.
This Study demonstrates that the performance of the UK’s transport networks will be crucial to sustained productivity and competitiveness.
Government responds to Carter Review on Legal Aid
The Department for Constitutional Affairs and the Legal
Services Commission set out reforms to the system of procurement of legal aid
services, moving towards a market-based system.
This Paper is an outline
of Government responses to Lord Carter's proposals for Legal Aid
Procurement.
Major changes in company law reform
The Companies Act 2006 makes it easier to set up and run a
company. Small businesses will benefit and, for the first time, a statutory
statement of directors' duties has been created.
Jobcentre Plus personal advisers 'positive impact'
This Report examines the use of personal advisers by
Jobcentre Plus, including whether they are effective in helping people into
work. Independent research cited in the Paper suggests that the use of personal
advisers has resulted in greater numbers of people coming off benefits.
More agencies given parenting order powers
The Police and Justice Act came into force in November
2006. The objective of the Act is to help build safer communities: measures
drive forward both the police reform programme and the Respect Action Plan.
Reducing EU regulations could benefit
businesses
The Davidson Review focuses on the implementation of
European legislation in the UK. It was commissioned as part of the Government's
commitment to reduce unnecessary regulatory burdens on the private, public and
voluntary sectors.
"Banking the unbanked": promoting financial
inclusion
Financial exclusion can impose significant costs on
individuals and be a barrier to employment and enterprise.
Many people
are still facing problems in opening basic bank accounts and operating them to
maximise their value.
1 in 8 schools are "inadequate"
This Annual Report from the education watchdog Ofsted states that more than one in eight English secondary schools were given "inadequate" status by school inspectors in 2006.
West Coast Main Line unable to sustain passenger
growth
The NAO finds that the West Coast Main Line may not be able
to sustain passenger growth within 10 years despite a £8.6bn investment.
This report examines how effectively the Strategic Rail Authority/Department
for Transport and Network Rail turned around the West Coast programme between
2002 and 2006.
New Road Safety Act in force
The Road Safety Act 2006 is essential reading for anyone
involved in the transport and infrastructure sector or the driving industry.
This Act of Parliament
brings into force new legislation regarding road traffic, registration
plates, vehicle and driver information, trunk road picnic areas and private
hire vehicles.
Queen's Speech 2006 - Key Legislation for
2006-07
The Queen's Speech at the State Opening of
Parliament sets out the Parliamentary agenda for the next year and highlights
the Government's main priorities. 25 bills and 4 draft bills were
presented.
This year law and order, security, climate change and
pensions reform will be key in the 2006-07 Parliamentary session.
Strong and Prosperous Communities: the White Paper
on Local Government
The Paper examines ways of creating and sustaining strong
local communities, emphasising the key role of local government in strategic
leadership and new powers for local councils.
The Paper discusses
effective, accountable and responsive local government seeking to position
local government as a strategic leader in transforming local services and
creating community cohesion.
Only 56 % of calls to DWP call centres
answered
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) delivers
benefits, pensions and employment services to 28 million customers in Britain.
In 2004-05, the DWP spent £190 million using contact centres to provide
customer services.
Following a National Audit Office (NAO) report
'Delivering
Effective Services through Contact Centres' (HC 941), the Committee has
examined the cost-effectiveness, accessibility and quality of customer services
provided.
Army personnel shortfall of 1.8%
As of July 2006, the trained strength of the armed forces
stood at around 180,690, with an estimated shortfall of 5,170 against the
Department's requirements.
This Report examines in detail the issue of
recruitment and retention in the Armed Forces. It discusses the extent to which
manning requirements have not been adjusted to reflect current levels of
activity faced by the Forces. Overall, the armed forces are not in "manning
balance", with the figures showing a wider shortage of trained personnel within
a range of specific trade groups across all three services.
The Report is
accompanied by a second volume,
‘Recruitment
and Retention in the Armed Forces: Volume II: Detailed Survey Results and Case
Studies' (HC 1633-II).
1 in 8 schools are "inadequate"
This Annual Report from the education watchdog Ofsted states that more than one in eight English secondary schools were given "inadequate" status by school inspectors in 2006.