Report of study conducted by IDeA and Socitm and sponsored by software company SAPThe report examines municipalities in fourteen countries around the world engaged in the development of e-governance. It offers case studies and identifies best practices on customer service, internal efficiency, and citizen engagement. 

European Week for Safety and Health, launched today, is focusing on stress. The events throughout the UK are aimed at raising awareness of what organisations can do to tackle stress in the workplace, establishing an environment in which to share knowledge and promote best practice. Stress is the second biggest cause of sickness absence days of employees in the UK. It costs UK industry approximately £6.7 billion each year in lost revenue. 

Chancellor Gordon Brown added his voice to what is becoming a chorus for new localism, freeing frontline services from the grip of Whitehall. He said there will be a range of new financial freedoms and new powers for local authorities to trade, retain fines, develop new services and decide council tax exemptions and discounts.