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. 

Adrian Harvey Project Manager Improvement and Development AgencyThe report challenges the current methods of evaluating social inclusion projects. It summarises research carried out over three years between the then Local Government Management Board (LGMB), the University of Lincolnshire and Humberside and Sheffield Hallam University and a consortium of 16 local authorities from across England, Scotland and Wales.