Education Secretary David Blunkett is pressing on with his bid to achieve the most far reaching reform of the education system for 50 years. He has written to Clive Booth, Chair of the Teacher Training Agency setting out work that has to be done quickly. The top priority is to develop a numeracy test for trainee teachers ready for piloting in the summer. Earlier work on teacher numeracy showed very low levels of competence. 

Primary Care Trusts may be given a budget of 60m pounds to commission
healthcare for their patients. This will allow them to shape hospital and community services for patients in their area and to invest in improving primary and community services provided by doctors, nurses and other local professionals. They will also be able to develop more integrated services between general practice, community services and social services. 

Seifert R, Tegg V
Journal of Management Development, (UK), 1998 Vol 17 No 9
Start page: 686. No of pages: 13
Studies the approach taken to management development in the British and Irish civil services, placing this in the context of the changes being made to the civil service in both countries. Assesses how management development is being used to support the ‘new public management’.