Nutritional Standards in UK Schools (PDF; 115 KB)
Source: Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology

In 2006, 617 million school meals were served in England alone. The situation regarding school meals differs in the constituent countries of the UK. In England, new legislation on minimum nutritional standards in schools began in 2008 in primary schools and will come into force in secondary schools by September 2009. It consists of food- and nutrient-based standards for school food. The devolved administrations have already implemented similar legislation and face similar issues in improving school food. This note outlines children’s nutritional requirements, the take-up of school meals in the UK, the capacity to enforce the standards and the impact of children’s diet on behaviour and learning.

Entertainment in the UK in 2028
Source: Ofcom

The UK entertainment sector is, and will remain, a major user of spectrum. In this study we assess the spectrum requirements for both the distribution and production of entertainment by 2028. We then compare spectrum demand with likely supply, identify problems of increased scarcity, and suggest possible ways of dealing with them.

In doing this it is impossible to predict with any certainty what the UK entertainment sector will look like in 20 years time - technology is rapidly changing the types of entertainment services which are possible and expanding the ways in which they might be delivered. To deal with this uncertainty we have produced a small number of scenarios for the likely state of UK entertainment in 2028. Our aim is to bring together economic, social, technology, regulatory and business drivers in a coherent way so as to span the space of possible states of the sector 20 years from now.

+ Entertainment in the UK in 2028 - Final Report (PDF; 2.2 MB)
+ Entertainment in the UK in 2028 - Annexes A-C (PDF; 1.2 MB)
+ Entertainment in the UK in 2028 - Annexes D-G (PDF; 1.3 MB)

Understanding the Environmental Impact of Communications Systems (PDF; )
Source: Ofcom

The purpose of this study was to improve our understanding of the type and degree of environmental impact that communication systems can have. The work aimed to provide a reference point in terms of relevant environmental background material, data examples, analyses, and key source references. A second aim was to help understanding of the scale and type of impacts communication systems can have. The study was not intended to be a definitive impact assessment of UK communication systems, but was intended to inform on a range of relevant issues and provide insight into environmental impacts for communication systems relevant to the UK.

+ Understanding the environmental impact of communications systems - Final Report (PDF; 1.6 MB)
+ Understanding the environmental impact of communications systems - Appendices (PDF; 1.5 MB)

Economic Survey of the United Kingdom 2009
Source: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development

The United Kingdom, like many OECD economies, is experiencing a severe recession as a consequence of a series of global shocks and any recovery in 2010 is likely to be slow. The financial crisis has severely impaired the supply of credit and house prices have fallen sharply. Unemployment is expected to increase significantly. The large rise in the government deficit is providing support to demand, but the debt-to-GDP ratio will increase substantially. Room for additional fiscal stimulus is therefore limited. Monetary policy has eased and the policy rate has fallen to close to zero. However, the monetary transmission mechanism is impaired and financial conditions while improving somewhat remain restrictive. The Bank of England has begun quantitative easing measures, although these are more likely to be effective within a more transparent framework. Normal functioning of the financial system is necessary for the economy to recover and the authorities have implemented a wide range of measures to support the financial sector. These measures have helped to stabilise the financial system. Given the cyclical rise in unemployment, it will be a significant challenge to ensure that joblessness does not become entrenched, even if the UK labour market is relatively flexible.

Your child, your schools, our future: building a 21st century schools system
Source: Department for Children, Schools and Families

The proposals in this White Paper are underpinned by the wish for every child to succeed. The document outlines the challenges and changes that schools now face, and describe reforms that have been made to meet these. These reforms build on the progress of the last decade and mean that the Government can now take the historic step of setting out new Pupil and Parent Guarantees.

The Pupil Guarantee sets out new entitlements to personalised support for every child, and the Parent Guarantee for every parent.

The White Paper sets out plans for securing those guarantees across the country, outlining changes to the curriculum, school partnerships, leadership and responsibilities.

+ Direct link to document (PDF; 2.4 MB)

Towards a low carbon future
Source: Royal Society (UK)
From the Summary:

Meeting future energy needs while tackling climate change is of the utmost importance but the debate on how to achieve this often considers single technologies in isolation. This document is the report of a two-day discussion meeting Towards a low carbon future that was held at the Royal Society on 17–18 November 2008. The meeting reviewed the current and potential technological options and considers how they can contribute to an integrated energy strategy for the future. The Royal Society has previously commented on how to meet the UK’s energy needs, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The key conclusion arising from the meeting was that there is no single best solution in moving towards a low carbon future: an integrated approach making best use of all available technologies is required. Due to the lack of progress in developing renewable energy technologies nuclear power was seen as having a key part to play if the UK is to meet its greenhouse gas emission targets. The pressing need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions was widely felt to be sufficiently great that concerns over waste and security should not prevent new build. A number of areas were suggested that require considerable research to be undertaken now if we are to be able to make full future use of technologies such as renewables, bio-energy and fusion.

Non-technological developments were also seen as essential in realising the potential technological developments.

+ Direct link to document (PDF; 394.4 KB)

 
GDP Growth - Economy contracts 2.4% in Q1 2009
Source: Office for National Statistics

UK gross domestic product (GDP) in volume terms fell by 2.4 per cent compared with the previous quarter, revised down from last month’s estimate of 1.9 per cent. The level of GDP is now 4.9 per cent lower than the first quarter of 2008. The estimates in this bulletin release are consistent with the dataset to be published in this year’s United Kingdom National Accounts, The Blue Book 2009.

Between the fourth quarter of 2008 and first quarter of 2009:

The total volume of output in the production industries fell by 5.1 per cent, including manufacturing output which fell by 5.5 per cent.

Construction output fell by 6.9 per cent over the quarter. The output of the service industries decreased by 1.6 per cent.

The household saving ratio was 3.0 per cent in the latest quarter compared with 4.0 per cent in the previous quarter.

Real households’ disposable income fell by 2.4 per cent in the latest quarter following 2.4 per cent rise in 2008 quarter four .

+ Direct link to document (PDF; 157.2 KB)

Crop Protection (PDF; 126 KB)
Source: Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology

The pesticide approvals process in Europe is changing. Consequently, a number of compounds used to protect European crops from weeds, pests and disease may no longer be available. Proponents believe this will benefit health and the environment; others fear significant decreases in crop yield and quality. This POSTnote explores the potential implications for UK agriculture and horticulture and examines other crop protection strategies available that complement or compensate for pesticides.

Treatments for Heroin and Cocaine Dependency (PDF; 110 KB)
Source: Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology

Some 11.3 million people in Britain have used an illicit drug at least once in their lifetime. Cocaine and heroin are the most damaging illicit drugs in terms of health impacts to dependent individuals and the cost of drug related crime. This POSTnote looks at the treatments currently available for heroin and cocaine dependency, assesses the prospects for new treatments, and examines the issues these raise.

Environmental Noise (PDF: 112 KB)
Source: Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology

Noise pollution affects quality of life and has been linked to health problems. The EU Environmental Noise Directive (END) aims to manage noise and preserve quiet areas by engaging the public, local authorities and operators. This POSTnote examines the effects of noise, the END and practical measures for noise management.

Building Britain’s Future
Source: Cabinet Office
From News release:

The Prime Minister has today published a plan for Building Britain’s Future.

It is a radical vision for a fairer, stronger and more prosperous society.

Public service entitlements will for the first time be guaranteed to parents, patients and communities.

New measures will also drive economic growth and create jobs….

• We will not lose another generation to work. Every young person who has been out of work for a year will have to take a job, training or work experience place.
• A new, more active industrial policy to drive growth and create the high value jobs of the future. We will establish a new #150 million Innovation Fund which will lever up to #1 billion of private sector funding.
• By switching spending priorities, we will target investment worth #1.5bn over the next 2 years to deliver 20,000 new affordable homes, creating 45,000 jobs in the construction and related sectors.
• Patients will get enforceable entitlements to the highest standards of health care, including hospital treatment within 18 weeks, access to a cancer specialist within 2 weeks and free health-checks on the NHS for people aged 40-74.
• Parents will be guaranteed an education individually tailored to their child, including a personal tutor for every pupil at secondary school, with catch up and one to one tuition for all those who need it.
• We will give local people more power to keep their neighbourhoods safe, including the right to hold the police to account at monthly beat meetings, to have a say on CCTV and a vote on how offenders pay back the community.
• We will work with the British people to deliver a radical programme of democratic and constitutional reform. We now plan to legislate in the 2009/10 session for further reform of the House of Lords, including completing the process of removing the hereditary principle. And we will now bring forward a draft bill for a smaller and democratically constituted second chamber.

+ Strategy Document (PDF; 811 KB)

+ Document Summary (PDF; 180.3 KB)

+ Draft Legislative Programme (PDF; 71.1 KB)

Sticking plaster or stepping-stone? Tackling urban youth unemployment
Source: Centre for Cities
Executive Summary:

Youth unemployment has been a problem in the UK for a long time, but is getting a lot worse in the current recession. Over half a million young people were unemployed in February 2008. Now, around 900,000 young people are jobless. During 2010, youth unemployment is likely to exceed 1 million.

This paper distinguishes between two groups of unemployed young people: the majority that are unemployed for a few months, and the growing minority (currently 130,000) that have been out of work for over a year. By December 2011, the number of long-term unemployed young people is likely to reach 350,000.

The Future Jobs Fund (FJF), announced in the 2009 Budget, aims to create 150,000 jobs between 2009 and 2011 for young people who have been out of work for 12 months.

This paper also distinguishes between different cities. Some cities, like Swindon and Milton Keynes, have seen a sharp increase in youth unemployment from a relatively low base. In other cities, like Hull and Barnsley, youth unemployment has increased on top of already-high stocks of unemployment.

This paper argues that the FJF is a short-term “sticking plaster” initiative and should therefore take a segmented, targeted approach:
• The FJF should focus on unemployed young people that are most “work- ready” and closest to the labour market; and those cities that have seen the sharpest recent increase in unemployment.
• Jobs created through the FJF should be treated as “stepping-stones” towards permanent jobs.
• Young people that are furthest away from the labour market should be supported through other programmes such as the Flexible New Deal and Working Neighbourhoods Fund.

+ Direct link to document (PDF; 1 MB)

Head of State Expenditure 69 pence per person per year
Source: Royal Public Finances

The Treasury contributed the equivalent of 69 pence per person in the country to enable The Queen to carry out the duties of Head of State, Buckingham Palace announced today at the publication of its annual report of royal finances.

The Royal Public Finances annual report, which includes details of public expenditure on property and travel, states that Head of State expenditure for 2008-09 at £41.5 million (including VAT of £2.1 million) has increased by 1.5% in real terms. Over the past eight years it has decreased in real terms by 1.3%.

Sir Alan Reid, Keeper of the Privy Purse, said:

“The money provided by the taxpayer to enable The Queen to fulfil her role as Head of State, is equivalent to 69 pence per person in the country . This is the annual cost, not the daily, weekly or monthly cost and is lower in real terms than it was in 2001.

+ Summary (PDF; 165 KB)
+ Full report downloadable as five PDFs.

Briefing on the Interception Modernisation Programme
Source: London School of Economics: Policy Engagement Network, Information Systems and Innovation Group (via The Register)
From Abstract:

In this briefing we aim to provide some depth of understanding of the nature of the Home Of?ce?s latest proposals on communications surveillance. We are sympathetic with the needs of the law enforcement community and we agree with the Home Office that the communications environment is changing. However we question whether the Home Office fully understands the extent to which the way in which surveillance activities are authorised would change were its wishes granted, in turn leading to a tipping of the balance in favour of state power and away from the individual. We are also concerned that there is a significant under-estimate of the burdens being placed on Communication Service Providers at a time where elsewhere in government there is a demand for universal broadband internet provision which industry is supposed to fund. This report was not drafted to respond to the Home Office’s Consultation document, but rather we are adding more expertise to the public deliberation on this policy. The report is the result of research we conducted with key experts across the UK and internationally.

+ Direct link to document (PDF; 932.1 KB)

Local authority investments
Source: House of Commons Communities and Local Government Committee

The collapse of Icelandic financial institutions in the autumn of 2008 brought to light not only the surprisingly large amounts of money invested by local authorities, but also the fact that local authorities had invested nearly £1 billion in Iceland, funds that were consequently at risk. This prompted us to launch an inquiry into the esoteric world of local authority investments, in order to understand current practice, to study the roles and responsibilities of various groups and individuals involved, and to make recommendations intended to limit the exposure of local authority funds to such risk in future.

The economic events of recent months are ones that few experts and fewer non-experts predicted. However, the unusual nature of the financial situation of the time should not be used as an excuse for failures that occurred in local authority financial arrangements. This inquiry has exposed a degree of misunderstanding, misinformation and complacency on the part of some crucial players, both within local authorities and in the wider financial sector, which contributed to the putting of taxpayers’ money at unnecessary risk. The focus of the Report is to ensure that the future tightening of procedures and better understanding of local authority finance leads to local authority money being invested more prudently, safely and—ultimately—profitably.