Complaint against Newcastle care services investigated
A joint investigation into the care given by the NHS and Newcastle City Council to a man with Down’s Syndrome found significant failings after a complaint was made by the man’s brother.
'A Report by the Health Service Ombudsman and the Local Government Ombudsman About the Care and Support Provided to a Person with Down's Syndrome’ (HC 1644) tells the story of Mr J, who was discharged into inappropriate, locked accommodation after being in hospital for seven months.
Fairness encouraged through political party donation cap
To control campaign spending and encourage fairness, the Committee on Standards in Public Life proposes a £10,000 cap on funding provided by individuals and organisations to political parties.
The report 'Political Party Finance: Ending the Big Donor Culture’ (Cm. 8208) believes that the only safe way to remove big money from party funding is to put a cap on donations from all sources.
Ofsted calls for teaching quality to improve
Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector raises concerns about the quality of teaching in England and argues that more ambition is required as conditions have been found no more than satisfactory.
'The Annual Report of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Education, Children's Services and Skills 2010/11’ (HC 1633) draws on over 31,000 inspection visits across the schools, early years, children's social care and learning and skills sectors.
Committee warns of worsening UK air quality
Despite being warned in 2010 of air pollution’s contribution to early deaths in UK cities, evidence shows that the situation has worsened and the Government should urgently take charge to change policy.
In the report 'Air Quality - a Follow Up Report’ (HC 1024) the Environmental Audit Committee concludes that dangerous levels of particular matter and chemicals in the air are contributing to tens of thousands of early deaths every year.
Formula funding systems lack transparency, say MPs
According to MPs, existing approaches to formula funding across government lack clarity and the principles that should be carried forward to new arrangements have been highlighted in a report.
In 'Formula Funding of Local Public Services' (HC 1502) the Committee of Public Accounts finds that funding to local public bodies in a range of sectors are complex and difficult to understand.
Major defence projects billions over budget
A two volume report from the National Audit Office identifies the Ministry of Defence’s overspend of £6 billion on its largest projects because of short term changes made to its overall budget.
Volume I of the report, 'The Major Projects Report’ (HC 1520-I), indicates action taken by the Ministry of Defence to balance its overall budget in the short term following the Strategic Defence and Security Review.
Governance at the Bank of England must be strengthened
'Accountability of the Bank of England' (HC 874) details the Treasury Committee's opinion that governance at the Bank of England must be strengthened to reflect its new powers.
The Committee believes that the Court of the Bank of England should be transformed into a smaller, more expert Supervisory Board with its own staff and discreet aims.
Government urged to reconsider funding widening participation in higher education
'Government Reform of Higher Education' (HC 885) concludes that the Government's communications strategy on tuition fees could have been more effectively realised. It urges the government to 'reconsider funding widening participation in higher education through a programme similar to the "pupil premium".'
The Committee also concluded that 'focusing financial support on providing money for living costs to students while they are studying would be a more effective means of support than fee-waivers. It would also be more consistent with the message that students should not be dissuaded from applying to university because of the cost' and recommends that the National Scholarship Programme be refocused accordingly.
Concern expressed regarding the work of the UK Border Agency
In 'The Work of the UK Border Agency (April-July 2011)' (HC1497-I), the Home Affairs Committee criticises the UK Border Agency for failing to explain why 350 foreign national prisoners due to be deported are still in the country.
The Agency provided the Committee with a breakdown of the issues with the deportation process of 1,300 prisoners who were released between 1 April 2010 and 31 March 2011. The largest group, making up 27% of the total, was labelled 'unknown'.
Regeneration plans lack clarity, say MPs
A Departmental plan to regenerate the country’s most deprived areas has been criticised by MPs as it does not identify the problem at hand and therefore lacks a clear strategy for reform.
The report ‘Regeneration’ (HC 1014) scrutinises plans set out by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) to address the country’s regeneration needs.
Public service pension offer aims for fairness
As longevity has increased costs for public service pensions, the Government intends to reform the system to ensure their provision whilst easing the financial burden for other taxpayers.
The Treasury sets out the preferred scheme design for public service pensions in 'Public Service Pensions: Good Pensions that Last’ (Cm. 8214), built on points made by Lord Hutton in his report 'Independent Public Service Pensions Commission: Final Report’.
Gang violence prevention plans outlined in report
Analysis of gang and youth violence has been made by a team of senior ministers since the August disruption and their suggestions of how to tackle the national problem have been set out in a report.
Initiatives detailed in 'Ending Gang and Youth Violence: A Cross-Government Report’ (Cm. 8211) will act as a platform for intensive support required for the areas most affected by gang violence.