More people are being prosecuted for illegally dumping rubbish but fly-tipping is still costing local authorities almost a million pounds a week. New figures show English authorities brought nearly 2,500 prosecutions last year, up by more than 20 percent on the number in 2008-09.

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An organisation representing rural local authorities, businesses and other public services is urging policy-makers to act on recommendations from the Commission for Rural Communities to help the countryside realise its economic potential. The call has come from The Rural Services Network, which believes the Commission’s Agenda For Change recognised the countryside’s vital role in Britain’s economic recovery.

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By Kevin Young

Becoming redundant creates extreme stress. But redundancy also creates high stress levels in those who remain. Budget cuts mean change and change management skills need to be learned. The work of ex-colleagues has to be shared around and new skills are usually required. The author describes how this demand for new skills creates stress and explains what can be done to keep the stress levels down.

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