Industry News
24th July 2008
Johnson Tackles Obesity Challenge
In a lecture to the Fabian Society on public health, Health Secretary Alan Johnson called for a national movement to tackle obesity as "the biggest health challenge we face". Johnson set out the role of government in supporting people to take control of their own health. Johnson noted that "Our strategy made clear that in approaching this problem, we reject both the “nanny state,” which polices shopping trolleys and institutes exercise regimes and the neglectful state, which wipes its hands of the problem, and wags the finger in the direction of the most vulnerable families in the vague hope that they will do as they are told" and went on to say that the "gravity of the obesity challenge demands that we grasp the true nature and complexity of its causes, and enable people to adapt their lifestyles in order to avoid the damage that obesity can cause". Read the full speech
24th July 2008
France Removes 35-Hour Working Week Limit
The French Parliament has agreed legislation to allow firms to scrap the 35 hour working week. President Nicolas Sarkozy has not, however, gone all the way in removing the rules completely, firms will be able to negotiate individual deals with trade unions covering working time and overtime hours. Read the new law
24th July 2008
Industry Initiative to Tackle Online File-Sharing
An industry agreement to address unlawful file-sharing of film and music online has been announced by major Internet Service Providers (ISPs), the British Phonographic Industry and the Motion Picture Association, endorsed by the Anti-Film Theft Taskforce and Government. On the back of today's publication of a Government consultation on unlawful file sharing online, the approach will see the bodies engaging to educate users and creating with the involvement of Ofcom, a self-regulatory environment. The six ISPs are Virgin Media, Sky, Carphone Warehouse, BT, Orange and Tiscali. Business Secretary of State John Hutton said "This light-touch approach keeps up with the pace set by technology and will protect consumers, creative industries and the use of technology now and in the longer term". Andy Burnham, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport said that the announcement "holds out the hope of a sustainable future for music and our other creative industries whilst ensuring that consumers continue to get the full benefits that new technology can offer".
23rd July 2008
Brown Comes Unstuck as Campaigner Glues Himself to PM's Sleeve
Dan Glass, campaigner for Plane Stupid, a network of groups taking action against airport expansion and aviation's climate impact, super-glued himself to the Prime Minister at a Downing Street reception where he was to receive an award for his lobbying work. In a non-violent protest, Glass stuck himself briefly to Gordon Brown's jacket as the two shook hands.
23rd July 2008
Full List of Special Advisors
Click here for the full list of the 73 Special Advisors in post as of 22 July.
23rd July 2008
Government looks to e-petitions to engage public
Harriet Harman, Leader of the House of Commons, has given the go-ahead for an e-petitioning system, in order to improve engagement with the public at large and reinforce the House's "historic role as recipient of public petitions and help to make a major contribution to making the House more accessible to the public". Welcoming the report from the Procedure Committee, the recommendations note that e-petitions would be submitted via the parliamentary website, the petitioner’s constituency MP would be asked to act as facilitator, and after being open for signature for a set period of time they would then be formally presented to the House, caried out either automatically or on the floor of the House. Read the Written Ministerial Statement
22nd July 2008
Labour Claw Back Points in New Poll but Population Fears Recession
A Guardian/ICM poll shows the Conservatives down two to 43 points, still 15 points ahead of Labour who recovered before the long summer up three to 28 points. The Liberal Democrats dropped one to 19 points. Asked about the state of the economy, those polled revealed that 80% believe Britain is heading towards a recession. 60% said they were trying to spend less. Read all about it
22nd July 2008
Government Plans Alcohol Crackdown
The Department of Health has published a major consultation concerning the drinking culture in England, launched alongside independent reviews which show the drinks industry is not adhering to voluntary standards. A Government suggestion points towards the possibility of mandatory regulation and labelling including: selling small and large glasses or measures where a choice is not currently offered; restrictions on the use of happy hours or irresponsible price based promotions; and point of sale information on alcohol units. Manufacturers are to be given until the end of 2008 to place the required warnings and advice on bottles and cans. New figures have put society's cost of alcohol misuse at £17.7 billion to £25.1 billion per year. The cost to the NHS alone is £2.7 billion. Public Health Minister Dawn Primarolo said ""The evidence from this series of reviews, and the hospital admissions data, clearly make this the right time to consult on a far tougher approach to the alcohol industry. The drinks industry has a vital role to play if we are to change the country's attitudes to alcohol. Some sections of the industry are sticking to the voluntary codes, others are blatantly ignoring them. This consultation will decide whether legally binding regulations for retailers and manufacturers to promote sensible drinking are the way forward". Download the consultation and the interim findings from the first stage of the price and promotion review carried out by the University of Sheffield.
21st July 2008
Brown Shows Israel Support in Jerusalem Parliament Address
Prime Minister Gordon Brown has addressed members of the Israeli Knesset, pledging that Britain would support Israel as a "true friend" in all circumstances. Brown said "to those who mistakenly and outrageously call for the end of Israel let the message be: Britain will always stand firmly by Israel's side". Read the full speech
21st July 2008
Purnell Launches Welfare State Overhaul
James Purnell, the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, has announced new proposals aimed at overhauling the welfare state. The welfare Green Paper, titled 'No one written off: reforming welfare to reward responsibility', includes plans that would take away the Incapacity Benefit system by 2013, moving to a state of two working-age benefits: the Jobseekers' Allowance and the Employment and Support Allowance for people with medical conditions that prevent them working. The plans would see those jobless for over a two year period having to work full time in the community. Purnell said "Our proposals are based on a simple deal: more support in return for greater responsibility...We will help people find work, but they will be expected to take a job". The Conservative Party's Chris Grayling last Friday claimed of the leaked proposals "Once again, it is Conservative ideas that are setting the political agenda". Download the Green Paper and read Purnell's Statement.
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