A report from The National Institute of Economic and Social Research, Britain’s longest established independent economic research institute, reveals that about half of the young people leaving unemployment would not have done so without the New Deal for Young People.The report assess the impact of the New Deal on the labour market and the economy as a whole. 

The health service is to receive 34b pounds in 2000/2001 and it has been set clear priorities. The funding represents a rise of 4.2%, excluding inflation. This is higher than the increase for the current year.The strategic direction for the health service in the next year has been set out in the new National Priorities Guidance. 

Ahmed P KBusiness Process Management Journal, (UK), 1999 Vol 5 No 1
Start page: 6. No of pages: 4
Looks at continuous improvement and what organizations need to sustain the drive to deliver value to the customer. Sets out what can inhibit organizations, e.g. the creation of uniform practices, and reaching a particular maturity in process development. Describes business process improvement elements and the four Cs of action: conviction, commitment, co-planning, and co-execution. 

The National Audit Office has criticised the Fire Service College for a glaring gap in its financial information system. The College is required to recover all its costs from fire authorities and other customers. At the same time the prices charged must not exceed the full cost of the courses. 

Identifying 4-11 year olds who are likely to become involved in crime is the aim of a new initiative “On Track”. The 30 pilot projects will kick start a shift in emphasis away from dealing with the problems of offending and towards keeping youngster away from crime. 

Holloway J, Frances G, Hinton MThe International Journal of Public Sector Management, (UK), 1999 Vol 12 No 4. Start page: 351. No of pages: 15
Reports initial findings from research into the nature and value of a benchmarking approach to the improvement of organizational performance and change. 

Extending the use of electronic public services beyond the current ‘getting information’ level depends on people feeling that no one can eavesdrop on messages they are sending or get personal data about them by deception. Plans announced by the Central IT Unit in the Cabinet Office aim to ensure that users of electronic services can securely identify themselves to central and local government. 

PLANNINGThe eight month selection process to find the pace setting councils which can be held up as centres of excellence has ended with the announcement of the 42 winners. The councils will hold beacon status until April 2001. Copeland and Halton Borough Councils are facing a heavy programme of visits from colleagues because they are the sole winners of beacon status for the theme of modernising planning. In contrast 17 councils are beacons for sustainable development. 

Publication of ‘Public Bodies 1999′ - a comprehensive listing of non-departmental public bodies - has highlighted how few women and people from ethnic minority backgrounds are represented on such groups.It shows that only 33 per cent of such positions are held by women, prompting Margaret Jay, Minister for Women, to urge more to nominate themselves for office.
The new edition also shows that only 4.7 per cent of post-holders are from ethnic minorities. 

David Blunkett has confirmed plans to radically overhaul post 16 learning with the creation of a new body planning and funding both schools and further education college provision.Until now, school sixth forms and colleges of further education have been subject to separate arrangements.