A search has been launched to find a head for the new Police Standards Unit within the Home Office and reporting to the Home Secretary. Adverts describe the person being sought as ‘someone with a record of improving performance across complex organisations, managing change positively and effectively and able to deliver real results’. The advert makes it clear that only leaders of the highest calibre are recruited for modernising public services.The new unit will be given the task of driving up performance across the police service. It will be a think tank taking in and refining ideas, finding out what works and disseminating proven good practice. As the ideaspowerhouse, it will spearhead reform of the police service.

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An advertising campaign has been launched to encourage adults with basic skills needs to improve their education levels. This is part of a 1.5 billion three year crusade to improve literacy and numeracy. The aim is to improve the skills of some 750,000 adults.Up to 7 million adults struggle with reading, writing and doing everyday maths. One in five of the adult population do not have the skills expected of an average 11 year old. This often means that they cannot get a decent job, they also have reduced earnings and an increased chance of ill health and hardship.

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3Much of rural England experiences problems of access to and affordability of housing, but different housing market conditions vary. A team of researchers from Newcastle University found that in those areas where the market catered only for the affluent the role of Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) was vital because they help sustain mixed and vital communities. However, although tenants were, by and large, very satisfied with their housing and felt that housing provided by RSLs met their housing needs, RSLs faced significant difficulties in their rural operations. The researchers conclude that the most important role for RSLs in addressing concerns about social exclusion and the sustainability of socially balanced communities in rural areas is still the provision of more affordable housing of good quality.Published by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation: www.jrf.org.uk
<http://www.jrf.org.u

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