Industry News

12th May 2008

Govt Launches National Debate: Future of Care and Support Services

The Health Secretary, Alan Johnson, has launched a six month national debate about the future shape of care and support services. A Green Paper is expected in 2009. Johnson said "Society is going through huge change - care and support must adapt to meet the challenges this will bring because the current system is simply not sustainable in the long term. There is no option of a quick fix. Radical change is needed to bring together the range of activities, services and relationship that underpin care and support so that people are clear about what they are entitled to and how and where they can get it". Read all about it & visit the DoH site to Have Your Say

9th May 2008

NHS Next Stage Review Published 'Leading Local Change'

Lord Darzi, Parliamentary Under Secretary at the Department of Health, has published five pledges on change in the NHS through a new report 'Leading Local Change'. The pledges include that change will always be to the benefit of patients, will be clinically driven, and locally-led. The move comes ahead of his final report expected in June on the next stage of NHS reform. Lord Darzi said "Our nationwide listening events have shown me that patients, the public and NHS staff are not opposed to change in principle but want to ensure it is done to save lives and improve quality and is not driven by cost or politics".

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8th May 2008

Chris Smith to head Environment Agency

Lord Smith of Finsbury has been appointed as the new Chair of the Environment Agency, replacing Sir John Harman. Lord Smith is due to take up the post from mid-July. He is currently Chair of the independent Advertising Standards Authority and is a former Cabinet Minister. Lord Smith said "I have been committed to raising the profile of environmental issues for more than twenty years, during which time the environment has risen to become one of the top priorities for Government and the public. I am looking forward to leading the Environment Agency at a challenging time as it takes practical steps both to protect the environment and adapt to climate change".

7th May 2008

Boris Bans Booze from London Transport

Newly elected Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, has announced plans that will swiftly make good on one of his key manifesto commitments to ban alcohol on the Tube, bus, Docklands Light Railway, and tram services and stations across the capital. The measures will take effect from 1 June this year. Drinking from, and carrying, open containers of alcohol will be banned. Read all about it

7th May 2008

Government Proposes Cannabis Reclassification

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith has made a statement in the House of Commons confirming that cannabis should be reclassified as a class B drug. If the decision is approved by Parliament, this would take effect from early 2009. The Home Secretary said "Cannabis is and always has been illegal. It now dominates the illegal drugs market in the UK and is stronger than ever before. There is accumulating evidence...showing that the use of stronger cannabis may increase the harm to mental health. I make no apology for erring on the side of caution and upgrading its classification. There is a compelling case to act now rather than risk the health of future generations". Read all about it

7th May 2008

More Poll Woe for Brown and Labour Party

A Populus poll for The Times newspaper shows that Gordon Brown's leader rating has fallen from 4.50 to 4.08 (on a scale of 0 to 10) whilst 55% of Labour voters believe the party would be more likely to win the next general election if the Prime Minister stepped down. This is the first poll since the local elections last Thursday. Overall, Labour support has fallen by four points to 29%, with the Conservatives up one to 40% and the Liberal Democrats up two points to 19%.

6th May 2008

PASC Lobbying Inquiry Resumes with Three Evidence Sessions

The Public Administration Select Committee Inquiry into Lobbying is set to continue with the following evidence sessions:

Thursday 8 May at 10.00am witnesses: Rt Hon Lord Warner; Rt Hon Richard Caborn MP; and Stephen Haddrill, Director General, Association of British Insurers.

Thursday 15 May at 10.00am witnesses: Lucy Neville-Rolfe, Group Corporate Affairs Director, Tesco plc; Chris Brinsmead, Chairman, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals UK; and Tom Kelly, Corporate and Public Affairs Director, BAA Limited. At 11.00am witnesses: John Sauven, Executive Director, Greenpeace; Tim Hancock, UK Campaigns Director, Amnesty International; and Andrew Simms, Policy Director, NEF.

6th May 2008

Stricter Labour Market Rules on Foreign Workers Unveiled

The Home Office has announced stricter rules on foreign workers filling skilled vacancies in Britain, with companies having to prove they cannot fill such posts with already resident workers. Skilled foreign nationals will be required to earn specific numbers of points before being allowed to work in the UK. Proposals for the new Points Based System have been published - known as Tier 2 covering skilled workers, and Tier 5 for temporary workers - which overhaul the previous work permit system. Read all about it

6th May 2008

London Assembly Election: Winners & Losers

In the London Assembly elections, the Conservatives gained two seats, Labour gained one seat, the Liberal Democrats lost two seats, the Green Party held on to their 2 seats, the BNP gained one seat, and One London lost their 2 seats. View the results in full: Constituency Assembly Members results & London-wide Assembly Members results.

6th May 2008

Mayor of London Announces Senior Appointments

Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London, has made the following appointments to his senior team at City Hall: Assembly Member, Richard Barnes as Deputy Mayor; Ian Clement as Deputy Mayor, Government Relations; Assembly Member Kit Malthouse as Deputy Mayor, Policing; Sir Simon Milton as Senior Adviser, Planning.

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