The Government is being warned today that continued complacency over investment in Britain ’s roads is not good enough, especially at a time of rising motoring costs. But in a report today the RAC Foundation says rising fuel prices could reduce road use and offer an opportunity to plan improvements.
Read more on CALL FOR INVESTMENT IN ROADS TO GIVE DRIVERS BETTER VALUE…
Social services directors say they accept fully the implications of a report predicting that the costs of mental health services in England could double in the next 20 years unless savings can be made. The King’s Fund report warned that more cases of dementia and health and social care costs that were rising in excess of inflation, could see the annual bill for services reaching 47 billion pounds compared with the current 22 billion.
Read more on SOCIAL SERVICES CHIEFS WELCOME DEMENTIA REPORT…
By Esa Tihilä.
eProcurement made slow progress in the early period following its launch ten years ago. As well as user unfriendly and not very reliable technology it called for substantial investment in time and money. There was also a skills shortage in using the systems. All this has changed and eProcurement is starting to deliver on its long-standing promise of more streamlined supply chains, better relationships with the right suppliers, and significant savings on spend. The public sector is leading the way in the take-up of eProcurement, because it is recognised as an effective way to make substantial contributions to efficiency savings targets. The author describes how the long promised benefits are now being delivered.
Read more on E-PROCUREMENT: DELIVERING VISIBILITY, CONTROL AND INNOVATION…
Parents are being warned today not to rely on school league tables to judge how good or bad a school maybe. In an article published in ‘Significance’, the magazine of the Royal Statistical Society, researchers from the University of Bristol conclude that Government use of league tables is unjustified.
People with vocational qualifications are half as likely to spend a long time looking for work as those with a degree according to a survey published today. The study has been conducted by YouGov, ahead of the first national celebration of vocational qualifications in July. The study shows that holders of vocational qualifications report that they are 23 per cent more likely to feel ready for work from day one compared
with graduates. But the study says it is not a case of getting either a degree or vocational training because 35 per cent of people with degrees told YouGov that they had later gone on to achieve a vocational qualification as well. The findings show other benefits for those who have completed vocational qualifications. More than a quarter said they had received a pay rise as a direct result of their qualification, compared with 13 per cent who received an increase following an academic qualification; 22 per cent said they were more interested in their work, compared to 16 per cent of those returning to academia and 17 per cent said they had been given a promotion after gaining a vocational qualification, compared to 12 per cent of those who returned to the academic route. Figures in the research also show the extent of business investment in staff with almost half of respondents saying their employer had paid for the whole vocational course, A quarter paid for their course themselves and one in five took a publicly funded course. July 23rd has been chosen as VQ Day to celebrate the achievements of people who have gained qualifications. The day will also see the publication of a report into the vocational qualifications landscape as well as events in London and elsewhere. Andy Powell, CEO of Edge, an educational foundation promoting practical learning, said, “It’s clear that vocational qualifications help not just young people, but employees of all ages. From having professional achievements recognised and gaining new talents, which help further a career to improving basic skills, vocational qualifications set people on the path to success. As a nation we need to realise that such qualifications are for the many, not just the disenfranchised.”
Read more on STUDY LOOKS AT IMPACT OF VOCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS…
England’s most important historical sites will be given greater protection under proposals which have been put out to consulation. Under the plans all 17 World Heritage Sites would be included in national planning protection rules, putting them for the first time on the same footing as conservation areas, national parks and areas of outstanding beauty.
Read more on HERITAGE SITES TO GET MORE PLANNING PROTECTION…
Local authority regulators are calling for an overhaul of food and alcohol labelling as a way to tackle rising obesity levels and to give consumers more accurate information about what they are eating and drinking. The Local Government Association is backing a series of changes and LACORS – the Local Authorities Co-ordinators of Regulatory Services – has launched a series of tests to check that food labelling is correct and that products contain acceptable levels of salt, sugars, fats and saturates.
Read more on COUNCILS CALL FOR CLEARER LABELLING TO BEAT OBESITY…
This publication from Communities and Local Government is a part of the government’s commitment to provide local areas with the support they need to respond to their own particular cohesion challenges. It focuses on what councils could do to both prevent and respond to local issues. It seeks to encourage local authorities to be aware of who is living in their area and how they interact and get on.
A former senior police officer has been given the job of driving forward measures to protect NHS staff in Wales from violence and aggression. David Francis, who was Deputy Chief Constable of South Wales Police, is currently chair of Cwm Taf NHS Trust.
Read more on NEW POST WILL DRIVE MEASURES TO CUT VIOLENCE AGAINST NHS STAFF…
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