The Home Office is funding projects in five localities to find out what motivates people to get involved in community life. The findings from the projects will be used in a strategy to encourage volunteering.The projects will build on work in progress and will bring together representatives from the Volunteering Bureau, local authorities, NHS Trusts and Business in the Community. 

Negotiations on a long term pay deal for health service staff not covered by a pay review body will start soon. Talks will focus on replacing the annual pay round with an agreement covering several years. The outcome of the talks will effect some 350,000 workers such as clerical staff, scientists, ambulance staff and porters.The talks will be used to hammer out a completely new pay system which removes weaknesses in the present arrangements.