Great Britain: Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform's Books

Meeting the aspirations of the British people

2007 pre-budget report and comprehensive spending review

By: Great Britain. Treasury,Great Britain: H.M. Treasury

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Meeting the aspirations of the British people

2007 pre-budget report and comprehensive spending review

By: Great Britain. Treasury,Great Britain: H.M. Treasury

The Government's objective is to build a strong economy and a fair society, in which there is opportunity and security for all. The 2007 Pre-Budget Report and Comprehensive Spending Review, 'Meeting the aspirations of the British People' (Cm 7227), presents updated assessments and forecasts of the economy and public finances, describes reforms that the Government is making and sets out the Government's priorities and spending plans for the years 2008-09, 2009-10 and 2010-11, including: maintaining macroeconomic stability; investing in the future with total public spending rising from £589bn in 2007-08 to £678bn in 2010-11 including an additional £2bn for capital investment in public services; continuing the sustained investment in the NHS, with resources rising from £90bn in 2007-08 to £110bn by 2010-11 and with value for money savings of at least £8.2bn contributing to the funding of the conclusions of the Darzi Review 'Our NHS, our future'; further sustained increases in resources for education, science, transport, housing, child poverty, security and international poverty reduction and the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games; simplifying the tax system to make it fairer, simpler and more efficient; modernising the tax system through major reforms to inheritance tax and capital gains tax; steps to protect the environment, including reforms of the tax regime for aviation and a new Environmental Taxation Fund to support the demonstration and deployment of new energy and efficiency technologies. For related publications, see 9780102944556 (2007 Budget Statement), 9780101698429 (2006 Pre-Budget), and for the Darzi Review see (http://www.ournhs.nhs.uk/files/283411_OurNHS_v3acc.pdf)

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292

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The Stationery Office

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ISBN 10

0101722729

ISBN 13

9780101722728

Themes and trends in regulatory reform

ninth report of session 2008-09, Vol. 2: Oral and written evidence

By: Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Regulatory Reform Committee

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Themes and trends in regulatory reform

ninth report of session 2008-09, Vol. 2: Oral and written evidence

By: Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Regulatory Reform Committee

Themes and trends in regulatory Reform : Ninth report of session 2008-09, Vol. 2: Oral and written Evidence

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264

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ISBN 10

0215540174

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9780215540171

Re-skilling for Recovery

After Leitch, Implementing Skills and Training Policies

By: Great Britain. Parliament. House of Commons. Innovation, Universities, Science and Skills Committee,Universitie (NA) House of Commons Innovation

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Re-skilling for Recovery

After Leitch, Implementing Skills and Training Policies

By: Great Britain. Parliament. House of Commons. Innovation, Universities, Science and Skills Committee,Universitie (NA) House of Commons Innovation

In its report examining the impact of Lord Leitch's 2006 review of skills ("Prosperity for all in the global economy - world class skills", 2006, ISBN 9780118404860), the Innovation, Universities, Science and Skills Committee says the Government must place re-skilling at the heart of its skills policy in order to meet the challenges of recession and redundancies. Re-skilling rather than up-skilling should be the priority as redundancies force people to move to other sectors. Government focus should be on tackling skills shortages and approaching skills as part of wider national economic development planning. The Committee recommends that more flexibility is built into training support to ensure skills development meets current and future demand. The abolition of the Learning and Skills Council and the creation of a new Skills Funding Agency for post-19 training could add to existing confusion about training and skills provision. The system must be simplified and the Government should quickly provide clarity on the roles of the different organisations and ensure the system can be understood by its users. It is essential that the Government's Train to Gain programme is made flexible enough to deal with rapid adjustments for unemployed people who need quick re-training. Aspects of Train to Gain are currently failing to satisfy different demands and unless the programme is radically re-focused one of Leitch's central reform planks will be lost. The sustainability of co-funded higher education courses is a concern and the Committee warns that the current economic downturn may affect the willingness of employers to meet the required level of investment.

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128

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ISBN 10

0215525760

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9780215525765

Departmental Annual Report and Scrutiny of the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform

Fourteenth Report of Session 2007-08, Report, Together with Formal Minutes, Oral and Written Evidence

By: Great Britain. Parliament. House of Commons. Business and Enterprise Committee

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Departmental Annual Report and Scrutiny of the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform

Fourteenth Report of Session 2007-08, Report, Together with Formal Minutes, Oral and Written Evidence

By: Great Britain. Parliament. House of Commons. Business and Enterprise Committee

This report examines the matter of accountability to the House of Commons of Lord Mandelson of Foy and Hartlepool, the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform. As a member of the House of Lords he is unable to answer questions in the House of Commons. The report compares the current situation with previous examples of Cabinet ministers being in the House of Lords. The Committee notes that the current situation differs from the past in that a significant proportion of the ministerial support team is based in the Lords or shared with other departments. It is unfortunate that the department for business is so thinly represented in the Commons. One solution would be to amend Standing Orders to allow Lord Mandelson to appear at the Despatch Box to answer questions in the Commons. There are precedents for this approach. Such a change might, though, encourage governments to appoint more members of the House of Lords as department heads, and the Committee feels that would be an unwelcome and significant constitutional change. The Procedure Committee should investigate a mechanism for parliamentary questions to the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform.

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ISBN 10

0215525140

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9780215525147

Coal health compensation schemes

twelfth report of session 2007-08, report, together with formal minutes, oral and written evidence

By: Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Committee of Public Accounts

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Coal health compensation schemes

twelfth report of session 2007-08, report, together with formal minutes, oral and written evidence

By: Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Committee of Public Accounts

In January 1998, the Department of Trade and Industry (now the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform) took responsibility for the accumulated personal injury liabilities of the British Coal Corporation. In the same year, the courts found the Corporation negligent in respect to lung disease caused by coal dust (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease or COPD) and hand injuries caused by using vibrating equipment (Vibration White Finger or VWF). The Department established two schemes to pay compensation. The Department received over three quarters of a million claims from former miners, their widows, or their estates for COPD (592,000) and VWF (170,000). Many claimants were elderly, ill and anxious to receive their compensation. The number of claims greatly exceeded the Department's initial forecasts of 173,000 COPD and 45,000 VWF claims. It was ill prepared for the number and complexity, of claims made. Some claimants have had to wait as long as ten years or more. In 2005, to address significant backlogs the Department, in negotiation with solicitors, introduced a fast track arrangement to process COPD claims. By September 2007, there were around 116,000 COPD claims and 12,000 VWF claims remaining to be settled, and the Department seeks to process most of the remaining VWF claims by March 2008 and COPD claims by February 2009. By the time all the claims have been settled, the Department estimates that it will have paid some £4.1 billion in compensation. The schemes were costly to administer. Administration costs, including contractor and medical costs, are expected to total almost £2.3 billion. Claimants' solicitors and other representatives' fees account for just under £1.3 billion of this total. The Department's negotiation of the fees with solicitors was weak, with the result that it paid fees significantly in excess of costs.

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0215513878

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9780215513878

The Economics of Renewable Energy

By: Great Britain. Parliament. House of Lords. Select Committee on Economic Affairs

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The Economics of Renewable Energy

By: Great Britain. Parliament. House of Lords. Select Committee on Economic Affairs

The Government aims to increase renewable energy from 1.8 per cent to 15 per cent of energy consumption by 2020, in line with European Commission proposals. This report looks at the economics of renewable energy given the Government's policy to reduce carbon emissions. Chapter 2 gives a brief overview of Britain's energy system and outlines the Government's energy policy objectives. Chapter 3 examines the different renewable technologies used to generate electricity, and compares generation costs between them and contrasts them with fossil fuel-fired plants and nuclear power. Chapter 4 looks at the issues involved in balancing the irregular supply from renewable generators which depend on weather conditions against the continuous demand for electricity. The potential for renewable sources of heat and of transport fuels - an overlooked area even though they account for 80 per cent of UK energy consumption. - is examined in chapter 5. Chapter 6 reviews the key policy issues, the impact of renewable policy on fuel poverty, the planning system for renewable energy, and whether the 15 per cent EU target is achievable. The Committee finds that costs of renewable energy generation are more than conventional means. It recommends that the Government prioritise the development and promotion of the other effective and economic options, both to bring down carbon dioxide emissions and to achieve security of electricity supply. The most reliable renewable sources are tidal barrage and biomass, which are problematic for other reasons, and hydro-power which is near the limit of its potential in the UK. The most reliable low-carbon alternative to renewables is nuclear power, together with conventional fossil fuel generation with carbon capture and storage (if and when that becomes available).

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010401377X

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9780104013779

Engineering

Turning Ideas Into Reality, Fourth Report of Session 2008-09, Vol. 2: Oral and Written Evidence

By: Great Britain. Parliament. House of Commons. Innovation, Universities, Science and Skills Committee

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Engineering

Turning Ideas Into Reality, Fourth Report of Session 2008-09, Vol. 2: Oral and Written Evidence

By: Great Britain. Parliament. House of Commons. Innovation, Universities, Science and Skills Committee

Incorporating HC 470-i-iii, 640-i-iii, 599-i-iii, 1064-i, 1202-i, 1194-i of session 2007-08

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380

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The Stationery Office

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0215529332

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9780215529336

Reducing the cost of complying with regulations

the delivery of the administrative burdens reduction programme, 2007

By: Great Britain: National Audit Office

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Reducing the cost of complying with regulations

the delivery of the administrative burdens reduction programme, 2007

By: Great Britain: National Audit Office

The Administrative Burdens Reduction Programme seeks to improve the UK business environment by: ensuring that regulation is only used where necessary; simplifying and removing unnecessary regulations; and making sure EU law is not gold-plated. This is the first of an annual series of reports on the progress of the Programme. It sets out the context and rationale for the Programme; explains the measurement of administrative burdens and reduction targets; examines how are seeking to identify and deliver reductions; and considers how outcomes will be assessed. The focus is on the Better Regulation Executive, which has the role of coordinating the programme, and the four departments responsible for 75% of the total administrative burden.

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0102947651

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9780102947656

The British film and television industries

decline or opportunity?, 1st report of session 200-10, Vol. 2: Evidence

By: Great Britain: Parliament: House of Lords: Select Committee on Communications

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The British film and television industries

decline or opportunity?, 1st report of session 200-10, Vol. 2: Evidence

By: Great Britain: Parliament: House of Lords: Select Committee on Communications

British Film and Television Industries--Decline or Opportunity?, Volume II: Evidence

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624

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0108459306

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9780108459306

UK Trade & Investment

Trade Support : Report

By: Great Britain. National Audit Office

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UK Trade & Investment

Trade Support : Report

By: Great Britain. National Audit Office

UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) is three years into its five-year strategy to deliver improved support to UK exporters, and it is close to meeting most of its performance targets. UKTI has extensive arrangements to obtain regular and systematic feedback on the quality of its services. Some 52 per cent of businesses receiving support reported that their performance improved as a result of receiving support, exceeding its 50 per cent target. Users are also asked to estimate the financial benefit arising as a result of its support, and a 2008 figure of £229,000, on average, per business is used by UKTI to calculate its reported benefit to cost ratio of 15:1. But the underlying survey data shows that 29 per cent of users either did not know, or declined to provide an estimate, 30 per cent forecast some financial benefit and 40 per cent forecast no financial benefit. The survey focuses on forecast impact rather than actual financial impact. UKTI has sought to improve efficiency by shifting resources to better performing markets and services. In the year to March 2008 expenditure on trade support fell by 4.5 per cent while the number of businesses supported rose by 35 per cent. UKTI does not have a full picture of the costs of providing the individual services. It is not in a position to gauge reliably the efficiency of its activities, the contribution of different parts of the organisation to these services, or the relative costs and benefits of the different services it provides. In 2008 UKTI established a model for cost assessment, but this is not yet sophisticated enough to demonstrate whether value for money is being optimised.

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0102954712

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9780102954715

The sale of the government's interest in British Energy

By: Great Britain: National Audit Office

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The sale of the government's interest in British Energy

By: Great Britain: National Audit Office

British Energy was the largest independent energy generator in the UK and owner of sites viewed by industry as the most suitable for new nuclear power stations. The Government sold its 36 per cent interest in the company to EDF Energy for £4.4 billion in January 2009. The final cash offer from EDF was 774 pence per share - 10 per cent higher than the valuation by the Shareholder Executive, the Government agency that managed the sale. Movement in energy prices after completion of the sale show that EDF put forward its offer when energy prices were at a peak. The Government's primary strategic objective for the sale was to ensure nuclear operators are able to build and operate new nuclear stations from the earliest date with no public subsidy. There was no binding commitment to build new nuclear power stations as a condition of the sale so it is too early to say whether the sale will enable the Government to achieve its strategic objective. But EDF's acquisition of British Energy has improved the prospect of investment in new nuclear power stations. While the Government no longer has a direct financial interest in British Energy, it remains responsible for funding any shortfall in the future cost of decommissioning British Energy's existing nuclear power stations. The Shareholder Executive did not carry out a formal assessment of the impact of the sale on the risks that taxpayers might have to bear if, for example, the new owner operated British Energy's power stations in a way that required earlier decommissioning.

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0102963436

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9780102963434

Development and trade

cross-departmental working, second report of session 2007-08, report, together with formal minutes and oral and written evidence

By: Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: International Development Committee

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Development and trade

cross-departmental working, second report of session 2007-08, report, together with formal minutes and oral and written evidence

By: Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: International Development Committee

The changes in the machinery of government, announced in June 2007, led to this assessment of the place of the Department for International Development (DFID) in trade policy structures and how this area could be best managed across government. The inquiry also followed up on the report 'Conflict and development: peacebuilding and post-conflict reconstruction' (HC 923-I 2005-06) and the responsibility of the former Department of Trade and Industry in relation to the regulation of activities of UK companies operating in developing countries. Although the reaction to the changes in the machinery of government are broadly positive, there are reservations about complexity, unclear lines of accountability and new layers of bureaucracy. The increase in the number of DFID ministers is welcomed but there are concerns that the brief of the Trade Policy Minister might be too wide.

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0215037618

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9780215037619

Genomic medicine

2nd report of session 2008-09, Vol. 1: Report

By: Great Britain: Parliament: House of Lords: Science and Technology Committee

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Genomic medicine

2nd report of session 2008-09, Vol. 1: Report

By: Great Britain: Parliament: House of Lords: Science and Technology Committee

Recent developments in genomic science stemming from the sequencing of the human genome represent a unique opportunity for real advances in medical care and the Government and the NHS must take a range of steps to ensure that these advances are realised. The Government should produce a new White Paper with details on: how the Department of Health will facilitate the translation of advances in genomic science into clinical practice, including the operational changes needed to bring genetic testing into mainstream clinical practice; a roadmap for how such developments will be incorporated into the NHS; proposals for a programme of sustained long-term funding to support these measures. A range of genetic tests are already being used within the NHS to improve the diagnosis and treatment of a range of common illnesses, but there are barriers to the translation of new tests from invention through to use. The Committee looks specifically at the growing market for Direct to Consumer Tests (DCTs) and raises concerns about the effect of consumers receiving DCT results via the internet without proper medical advice to put those results in context. The Committee supports a voluntary code of practice for DCT providers. Ensuring NHS staff have adequate training in genomic medicine will be vital, and training in using and interpreting genetic tests should be an integral part of training for healthcare workers. The report recognises that there are privacy concerns about the retention and use of genetic data as well as apprehension about how the data may be used by, for example the insurance industry.

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132

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0108444511

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9780108444517

Getting Results

The Better Regulation Executive and the Impact of the Regulatory Reform Agenda , Fifth Report of Session 2007-08, Vol. 2: Oral and Written Evidence

By: Great Britain. Parliament. House of Commons. Regulatory Reform Committee

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Getting Results

The Better Regulation Executive and the Impact of the Regulatory Reform Agenda , Fifth Report of Session 2007-08, Vol. 2: Oral and Written Evidence

By: Great Britain. Parliament. House of Commons. Regulatory Reform Committee

Getting Results : The Better Regulation Executive and the impact of the Regulatory Reform Agenda , fifth report of session 2007-08, Vol. 2: Oral and written Evidence

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236

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021552201X

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9780215522016

Post Office Closure Programme

Third Report of Session 2007-08, Vol. 2: Oral and Written Evidence

By: Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Committee

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Post Office Closure Programme

Third Report of Session 2007-08, Vol. 2: Oral and Written Evidence

By: Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Committee

This report examines how the Post Office closure programme is being implemented and areas where it could be improved. The Network Change Programme began in July 2007 and the final consultation is scheduled to end in October 2008. This challenging timetable has meant that consultation has been curtailed, and the whole process has been rushed. The Committee does not accept that a reduction to 7,500 offices is acceptable, and a minimum of 11,500 fixed outlets is recommended. Post Office Ltd should be clearer in its approach to public consultation about closures. The Committee is also concerned that access criteria - proximity of population to offices, local transport and geographical constraints - have not been fully taken into account, nor the principle of services being fully accessible to all. The process has been improving with more experience, but there is still room for further improvement and clarity.

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150

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0215520769

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9780215520760

Delivering High Quality Impact Assessments

By: Great Britain. National Audit Office

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Delivering High Quality Impact Assessments

By: Great Britain. National Audit Office

Government is committed to conducting formal impact assessments of the need for and likely impact of new regulations. This National Audit Office report finds that scrutiny of proposed legislation is strengthening and that the standard is better than it was, but one fifth of assessments still do not include any quantified data to assess costs or benefits. The Better Regulation Executive (BRE) has introduced new guidance, templates and training to improve the quality of impact assessments and, as a result, impact assessments have clearer presentation of results, better planning for implementation, and more quantification of costs and benefits. But wide variation remains between the best and worst impact assessments. Where they are done well, the impact assessments include a clear statement of the policy problem, make good use of consultation and have clear recommendations. On the other hand, only 20 per cent of impact assessments presented the results of an evaluation of a range of regulatory options. Many impact assessments did not pay enough attention to compliance and enforcement issues. For example, only one third of assessments assessed the cost of enforcement for the preferred option. There have been improvements in the analysis of costs and benefits. In 2008, 67 per cent of impact assessments quantified costs and 60 per cent quantified benefits. Under the previous arrangements, the figures were 56 per cent for quantified costs and 40 per cent for quantified benefits. There is, however, still wide variation in the level of evidence provided and insufficient analysis in the weaker impact assessments.

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0102954550

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9780102954555

The future of UK manufacturing

public procurement, thirteenth report [of session 2006-07], report, together with formal minutes, oral and written evidence

By: Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Trade and Industry Committee

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The future of UK manufacturing

public procurement, thirteenth report [of session 2006-07], report, together with formal minutes, oral and written evidence

By: Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Trade and Industry Committee

The public sector spends nearly £125 billion, or ten per cent of GDP, each year purchasing goods and services in the UK economy. The manufacturing sectors most heavily involved in selling to Government include food, paper and printing, pharmaceuticals, construction products, aerospace and environmental technology. Following on from two previous Committee reports which have examined issues of concern to the UK manufacturing industry (relating to skills shortages in UK manufacturing industries (HCP 493-I, session 2006-07, ISBN 9780215033970) and government support for exporters (HCP 557, session 2006-07, ISBN 9780215034380)), this report focuses on whether the rules and practices relating to procurement of goods and services by public authorities hinder or help UK manufacturers in obtaining public contracts. The report argues that the Office of Government Commerce (OGC) should have powers to enforce the implementation of best practice guidance on procurement policy, and recommends that OGC guidance on the use of public procurement to further social policy and equality aims does not go far enough and should be reviewed. It also highlights the need for better trained and higher quality procurement officials throughout the public service, supported by floating teams of experts in particular procurement areas.

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0215037146

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9780215037145

Industry and Innovation in the North East of England

First Report of Session 2009-10, Report, Together with Formal Minutes, Oral and Written Evidence

By: Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: North East Regional Committee

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Industry and Innovation in the North East of England

First Report of Session 2009-10, Report, Together with Formal Minutes, Oral and Written Evidence

By: Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: North East Regional Committee

In this report, from the North East Regional Committee (HCP 169, session 2009-10, ISBN 9780215542731), renewable industries could lead a recovery in the North East's manufacturing industry. The Committee states that the region is well placed to benefit from the growing global market for green technologies, but warns that British innovation and ideas could be lost as other countries benefit from quicker commercial development and implementation. World-class renewable energy companies in the North East - such as the New and Renewable Energy Centre (NaREC) at Blyth, the North East Process Industries Cluster (NEPIC) on Teesside, and NETPark, the North East Technology park in County Durham - could put the region at the forefront of the Government's efforts to turn the UK into a low-carbon economy. The Committee warns though, that the UK's cumbersome and slow planning process poses a significant risk to long-term development in the North East as businesses from countries like China seek quicker, guaranteed sites elsewhere in Europe. The report also states that the Government should explore incentives to encourage local development of renewable and clean energy. Also, underinvestment in transport links is proving detrimental to investment in the region.

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200

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0215542738

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9780215542731

Private Equity

Oral and Written Evidence, Tuesday 11 December 2007, Witness: Sir David Walker

By: Great Britain. Parliament. House of Commons. Treasury Committee

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Private Equity

Oral and Written Evidence, Tuesday 11 December 2007, Witness: Sir David Walker

By: Great Britain. Parliament. House of Commons. Treasury Committee

Private Equity : Oral and written evidence, Tuesday 11 December 2007, witness: Sir David Walker

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0215521609

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9780215521606

Developments in EU Trade Policy

Report with Evidence

By: Great Britain. Parliament. House of Lords. European Union Committee

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Developments in EU Trade Policy

Report with Evidence

By: Great Britain. Parliament. House of Lords. European Union Committee

Evidence taken before Sub-committee A (Economic and Financial Affairs, and International Trade)

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316

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0104014067

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9780104014066

Pre-budget Report 2008

Second Report of Session 2008-09; Report, Together with Formal Minutes, Oral and Written Evidence

By: Great Britain. Parliament. House of Commons. Treasury Committee

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Pre-budget Report 2008

Second Report of Session 2008-09; Report, Together with Formal Minutes, Oral and Written Evidence

By: Great Britain. Parliament. House of Commons. Treasury Committee

The Treasury Committee's report on the Pre-Budget Report 2008 (Cm. 7484, ISBN 9780101748421) considers that the balance of risks to the Treasury's forecast, for a swift recovery in economic growth for 2010 after a significant decline in output in 2009, is on the downside. The report highlights the lack of bank lending as the single most critical problem for the economy in the near term. The overall effect of the fiscal stimulus remains uncertain, the cost of the reduction in VAT is considerable and, in the view of the majority of commentators, the Treasury's analysis of its impact is an optimistic one. The report notes that the risk of a self-reinforcing deflationary cycle exists in the UK economy at present and recommends that the Treasury prepare and publish the actions it may consider taking should a period of "quantitative easing" be needed. While the need for lower interest rates to maintain economic growth is crucial at the present time, the needs of savers must not be forgotten and the Treasury should consider measures that will also support savers at this difficult time. The report notes with concern that the Pre-Budget Report contains no policy measures which will significantly advance meeting the 2010 child poverty target.

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178

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ISBN 10

0215526112

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9780215526113

Correspondence with Ministers

November 2007 to April 2008, 2nd report of session 2009-10

By: Great Britain: Parliament: House of Lords: European Union Committee

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Correspondence with Ministers

November 2007 to April 2008, 2nd report of session 2009-10

By: Great Britain: Parliament: House of Lords: European Union Committee

Correspondence with Ministers : November 2007 to April 2008, 2nd report of Session 2009-10

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378

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010845925X

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9780108459252

The work of the Committee in 2007

fourth report of session 2007-08, report, together with formal minutes

By: Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Foreign Affairs Committee

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The work of the Committee in 2007

fourth report of session 2007-08, report, together with formal minutes

By: Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Foreign Affairs Committee

Work of the Committee In 2007 : Fourth report of session 2007-08, report, together with formal Minutes

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0215513339

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9780215513335

Department of Health

prescribing costs in primary care, second report of session 2007-08, report, together with formal minutes, oral and written evidence

By: Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Committee of Public Accounts

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Department of Health

prescribing costs in primary care, second report of session 2007-08, report, together with formal minutes, oral and written evidence

By: Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Committee of Public Accounts

This report, from the Committee of Public Accounts, examines the cost of prescriptions in primary care. It is estimated that around a quarter of all expenditure in primary care is on drugs. In 1996, the number of prescriptions was 485 million, dispensed in England; by 2006 this had increased by 55% to 752 million, with the primary care drugs bill increasing from £4.0 billion to £8.2 billion, a 60% increase. The Committee took evidence from the Department of Health, on the basis of an earlier report from the NAO (HCP 173, session 2006-07, ISBN 9780102945171). The Committee has set out a number of conclusions and recommendations, including: that the NHS could save more than £200 million a year by GPs prescribing lower cost drugs, particularly those described as generic versions of the drug, as opposed to brand name drugs; that the proportion of lower cost prescriptions for some common conditions varies greatly between Primary Care Trusts (PCTs), and that the Strategic Health Authorities should work with the National Prescribing Centre to develop best practice in prescriptions; that an index comparing GP practices and PCTs on efficient prescribing might promote a culture of best practice; that the influence of pharmaceutical companies on prescribing decisions should be monitored by the Department of Health, with a minimal level set for gifts and hospitality offered by such companies to GPs and PCTs; there should be better information on unused and wasted drugs in the NHS, with an estimated cost of £100 million a year; that the Department of Health should explore with the pharmaceutical industry to achieve greater consistency in labelling and packaging of generic versions of the more common drugs supplied to the NHS

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ISBN 10

0215037995

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9780215037992

The compensation scheme for former Icelandic water trawlermen

eleventh report of session 2007-08, report, together with formal minutes, oral and written evidence

By: Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Committee of Public Accounts

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The compensation scheme for former Icelandic water trawlermen

eleventh report of session 2007-08, report, together with formal minutes, oral and written evidence

By: Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Committee of Public Accounts

This report from the Committee of Public Accounts, follows two other reports into the subject of the compensation for former Icelandic water trawlermen (an NAO report, HCP 530, session 2006-07, ISBN 9780102945621 and HCP 313, session 2006-07, entitled Put together in haste: "Cod Wars", ISBN 9780102944471). The Committee took evidence from the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform on administration of the compensation scheme. The Scheme was set up to compensate former trawlermen who had lost their jobs when the distant water fishing industry collapsed in the 1970s. At the time of the collapse most trawlermen did not receive compensation. The Scheme itself ran between October 2000 and October 2002, with some 7,000 claimants and a sum of £42 million having been paid to 4,400 former trawlermen. Findings in the two earlier reports indicated the then Department of Trade and Industry had problems in verifying claims for the scheme and further that it lacked an understanding of the working practices of the 1970s fishing industry. The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman found maladministration of the Scheme especially in delivering it in an effective manner. The Committee of Public Accounts has set out a number of conclusions and recommendations, including: that the Department should learn lessons from this and the previous reports when administering future schemes; that it is important for the Department to test the availability of evidence on real cases before launching new compensation schemes; that a clear understanding of the industry needs to be in place before setting the terms of any grant schemes; that the Department failed to test the impact of the scheme's rules on different types of applicant before the scheme's launch; in 25 of 100 cases, there was insufficient evidence to say whether payments made by the Department accorded with the scheme's rules; the Department did not employ proper project planning and risk management.

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0215513762

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9780215513762

Carbon capture and storage

lessons from the competition from the first UK demonstration, Department of Energy and Climate Change

By: Great Britain: National Audit Office

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Carbon capture and storage

lessons from the competition from the first UK demonstration, Department of Energy and Climate Change

By: Great Britain: National Audit Office

This report discusses the competition, cancelled in October 2011, to design, construct and operate the UK's first commercial-scale carbon capture and storage project. The competition was launched in 2007 by the then Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform. It was cancelled four years later by the Department of Energy and Climate Change on the grounds of protecting value for money and because the project could not be funded within the £1 billion budget agreed at the 2010 Spending Review. It concludes that the competition had been a high risk and challenging undertaking launched with insufficient planning and recognition of the commercial risks. However, the results of engineering and design studies completed by bidders, upon which the Government spent £40 million (63 per cent of the £64 million it spent in total on the competition), may help to reduce the costs of future carbon capture and storage projects. The cost of the competition was relatively small compared to the investment required to develop CCS at commercial scale and the competition has increased the Department's experience in this field and understanding of project costs. DECC now plans to pursue other carbon capture and storage projects using the £1 billion capital fund. The NAO has made recommendations for the Department to address in its future programme

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0102975477

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9780102975475

The Administrative Burdens Reduction Programme, 2008

Report

By: Great Britain. National Audit Office

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The Administrative Burdens Reduction Programme, 2008

Report

By: Great Britain. National Audit Office

The Administrative Burdens Reduction Programme, co-ordinated by the Better Regulation Executive (BRE), aims to reduce by a quarter by 2010 the cost to businesses of complying with the administrative burdens imposed on them by government regulations. The NAO has now examined the first full year of implementation to review progress in delivering the Programme, assess achievements of departments and highlight good practice. In 2007 departments implemented over 150 specific measures to reduce administrative burdens and the majority predicted that they will meet their reduction target by 2010. The total reported in-year savings of £800 million should be treated with caution as they are indicative estimates of the actual savings and have been subject to only limited independent validation. The Programme is providing an impetus across departments to reduce burdens and the targets have created a stronger incentive to deliver. The report finds a small positive shift in businesses' perceptions about regulation. 46 per cent of businesses thought regulation was fair and proportionate, compared to 39 per cent in 2007. 70 per cent said that completing paper work was a burden, down from 74 per cent in 2007. However, only 1 per cent of businesses believed that complying with regulation had become less time consuming in 2007 and 40 per cent said it has become more time consuming. The wider impact of the Programme remains unproven. The Better Regulation Taskforce's original aspiration was that the Programme could contribute to a £16 billion increase in GDP. But there is still limited evidence on the link between reducing administrative burdens and improving business performance.

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0102954267

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9780102954265

Setting priorities for publicly funded research

3rd report of session 2009-10, Vol. 2: Evidence

By: Great Britain: Parliament: House of Lords: Science and Technology Committee

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Setting priorities for publicly funded research

3rd report of session 2009-10, Vol. 2: Evidence

By: Great Britain: Parliament: House of Lords: Science and Technology Committee

In its report into how priorities are set for publicly funded research, the Science and Technology Committee calls on the Government to make a clear and unambiguous statement setting out their research funding commitments and the periods of time over which those commitments apply.

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520

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The Stationery Office

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ISBN 10

010847240X

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9780108472404

Keeping the Door Wide Open

Turkey and EU Accession, Seventh Report of Session 2007-08, Vol. 2: Oral and Written Evidence

By: Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Business and Enterprise Committee

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Keeping the Door Wide Open

Turkey and EU Accession, Seventh Report of Session 2007-08, Vol. 2: Oral and Written Evidence

By: Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Business and Enterprise Committee

Keeping the door wide Open : Turkey and EU accession, seventh report of session 2007-08, Vol. 2: Oral and written Evidence

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148

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0215521382

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9780215521385

The Export Credits Guarantee Department and Sustainable Development

Eleventh Report of Session 2007-08; Report, Together with Formal Minutes, Oral and Written Evidence

By: Great Britain. Parliament. House of Commons. Environmental Audit Committee

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The Export Credits Guarantee Department and Sustainable Development

Eleventh Report of Session 2007-08; Report, Together with Formal Minutes, Oral and Written Evidence

By: Great Britain. Parliament. House of Commons. Environmental Audit Committee

Since last investigated in 2003, the Export Credits Guarantee Department has continued to make progress on sustainable development that deserves to be recognised. Sound foundations have been laid and mechanisms put in place that offer a good framework for further action. There is still room for improvement in the way sustainable development is incorporated into the agency's decision-making and the ECGD must ensure its activities are in line with wider Government aspirations on sustainable development. The challenge is for the ECGD to demonstrate that sustainable development is given appropriate weight within its current remit and that it does nothing that would actively undermine this principle. In particular, the ECGD should identify areas where its environmental standards could be tightened. More rigorous standards can then be applied across its portfolio, including to aerospace exports. The ECGD must improve the transparency of its assessment processes and increase the level of disclosure of project information. It is important that the department does more to attract renewable energy and other projects that support sustainable development; support from Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (DBERR) will be vital in taking this forward. The ECGD's approach to sustainable development is all the more important because of its ability to influence and raise standards internationally. A bolder approach from the ECGD on sustainable development issues and transparency will be vital in improving the performance of Export Credit Agencies in general.

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128

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The Stationery Office

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ISBN 10

0215523903

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9780215523907

Pre-budget Report 2008

Facing Global Challenges, Supporting People Through Difficult Times

By: Great Britain. Treasury

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Pre-budget Report 2008

Facing Global Challenges, Supporting People Through Difficult Times

By: Great Britain. Treasury

The 2008 Pre-Budget Report presents updated assessments and forecasts of the economy and public finances, and reports on how in the face of major global economic shocks the Government intends to support the economy, businesses and households through these uncertain times while delivering its long-term goals. Measures announced include: temporarily reducing the Value Added Tax (VAT) rate to 15 per cent from1 December 2008 to 31 December 2009; bringing forward £3 billion of capital spending from 2010-11 including introducing a green stimulus supporting low carbon growth and jobs; introducing a new additional higher rate of income tax of 45 per cent for those with incomes above £150,000 from April 2011; increasing national insurance contributions by 0.5 per cent from April 2011; increasing alcohol and tobacco duties; a two pence per litre increase in fuel duty from 1 December). Immediate action to help those individuals and businesses most affected by the economic downturn include: increases in the income tax personal allowance; bringing forward the increase in Child Benefit; increases of the Child Tax Credit and a payment of £60 to all pensioners; help through mortgage rescue and Support for Mortgage Interest schemes for eligible homeowners in difficulty and a commitment from major mortgage lenders not to initiate repossession action within at least three months of an owner-occupier going into arrears; an additional £1.3 billion to support for the unemployed to find a new job; measures to help small and medium-sized enterprises facing credit constraints; a new HMRC Business Payment Support Service to allow businesses in temporary financial difficulty to pay their HMRC tax bills on a timetable they can afford; and more generous tax relief for businesses now making losses and the modification of a number of planned tax reforms, including vehicle excise duty, air passenger duty, and the deferral of the increase in the small companies' rate of corporation tax.

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244

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0101748426

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9780101748421

Transport in the South West

first report of session 2009-10, Vol. 2: Oral and written evidence

By: Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: South West Regional Committee

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Transport in the South West

first report of session 2009-10, Vol. 2: Oral and written evidence

By: Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: South West Regional Committee

Transport in the South West : First report of session 2009-10, Vol. 2: Oral and written Evidence

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284

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0215544110

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9780215544117

The Potential of England's Rural Economy

Eleventh Report of Session 2007-08, Vol. 2: Oral and Written Evidence

By: Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee

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The Potential of England's Rural Economy

Eleventh Report of Session 2007-08, Vol. 2: Oral and Written Evidence

By: Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee

A report from the Rural Advocate to the Prime Minister in June 2008 estimated the untapped potential from rural business as between GBP 236 billion and GBP 347 billion per annum. This report from the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee focuses on the potential of England's rural economy.

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248

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ISBN 10

0215524179

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9780215524171

The EU's Target for Renewable Energy

20 % by 2020

By: Great Britain. Parliament. House of Lords. European Union Committee

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The EU's Target for Renewable Energy

20 % by 2020

By: Great Britain. Parliament. House of Lords. European Union Committee

Presents evidence that is taken before Sub-committee B (Internal Market).

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280

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0104013664

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9780104013663

The Treaty of Lisbon

an impact assessment, 10th report of session 2007-08, Vol. 2: Evidence

By: Great Britain: Parliament: House of Lords: European Union Committee

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The Treaty of Lisbon

an impact assessment, 10th report of session 2007-08, Vol. 2: Evidence

By: Great Britain: Parliament: House of Lords: European Union Committee

Treaty of Lisbon : An impact assessment, 10th report of session 2007-08, Vol. 2: Evidence

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492

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0104012447

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9780104012444

Financial management in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

By: Great Britain: National Audit Office

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Financial management in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

By: Great Britain: National Audit Office

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has made good progress in its financial management, aiming to establish itself as one of the best departments in Whitehall in this respect. It has shown strong leadership in raising the profile of good financial management across the Department. Up to 2007-08, however, the FCO has underspent consistently against its budget. The Department has introduced a financial management improvement programme "Five Star Finance", the aim of which is for the department to be a Whitehall leader in financial management. It currently rates itself at three and a half stars on a 1(low) to 5 (high) scale, a rating confirmed by NAO. The FCO operates in a challenging environment in terms of the global nature of its operations. The fluctuations of global currency markets pose particular difficulties for the Department. Until 2007-08, its budgets were protected by the Treasury from exchange rate fluctuations. When this protection was withdrawn, the FCO introduced alternative measures to manage its exposure, principally the forward purchase of major foreign currencies. It needs to ensure that its finance team has the right skills and experience to manage the financial risks it now faces. The FCO is taking action to avoid future underspends against its budget. In other respects, FCO's financial management has improved. The accuracy, reliability and timeliness of its financial reporting have all been enhanced. In 2007-08 it laid its accounts on 30 June, the earliest date it has ever achieved after the March year-end.

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0102955018

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9780102955019

Putting science and engineering at the heart of government policy

eighth report of session 2008-09, Vol. 1: Report, together with formal minutes

By: Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Innovation, Universities, Science and Skills Committee

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Putting science and engineering at the heart of government policy

eighth report of session 2008-09, Vol. 1: Report, together with formal minutes

By: Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Innovation, Universities, Science and Skills Committee

This report considers a broad issue-why science and engineering are important and why they should be at the heart of Government policy-and three more specific issues-the debate on strategic priorities, the principles that inform science funding decisions and the scrutiny of science and engineering across Government. It revisits recommendations made in "Engineering: turning ideas into reality" (4th report session 2008-09, HC 50-I, ISBN 9780215529268). The Committee reiterates its call for the Government to move the Government Chief Scientific Adviser and his Government Office for Science into the heart of Government, the Cabinet Office. It also urges the Government to safeguard the independence of all Science Advisory Committees and make a number of recommendations on how this might be achieved. For example, transparency could be improved and setting up a press office in GO-Science would give SACs an independent voice. The principles that govern UK science funding decisions are discussed, and the report advocates a principle that can accommodate regional science policy, the full range of research funding streams, mission driven research, and the rationalisation of detailed and strategic funding decisions. Finally, the report welcomes changes to the Government's internal science scrutiny programme, and the House of Commons' decision to reinstate the Science and Technology Committee.

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