Posts Tagged ‘government’

Academies Act passes into law

Thursday, July 29th, 2010

The Academies Act passed into law earlier this week, paving the way for hundreds of schools to become academies. The government has been criticised for rushing the legislation through Parliament using procedures usually reserved for national emergencies. Christine Blower, general secretary of the NUT, has said, “Whatever people’s views on academies may be, by by-passing the usual democratic process, the legitimate and essential right to debate such an important issue is removed”. However, schools that want to become academies will welcome the swiftness of the legislation, which means that they can proceed quickly to become academies and obtain the freedoms associated with conversion.

Mark Blois

Posted by Mark Blois
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mblois@brownejacobson.com

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No anti-junk food laws in exchange for campaign funding

Friday, July 9th, 2010

On Monday, the coalition government asked its marketing departments to plan for spending cuts of up to 40% to their advertising budgets. 

Yesterday, the health secretary, Andrew Lansley gave an insight into how the government sees that businesses can help keep important marketing campaigns alive. 

Lansley explained that beer companies, confectionary firms and crisp-makers will be asked to fund the government’s Change4Life campaign; an advertising campaign that aims to persuade people to switch to a healthier lifestyle. In return, Lansley has promised that these companies will not face new legislation that was to outlaw excessively fatty, sugary and salty food. 

Whilst this is an innovative way of keeping an important government campaign alive, the public don t always realise that the majority of restrictions on food are imposed by mandatory implementation of European Regulations. 

Is the government indulging in soft sell – or is this a promise Lansley can keep?

Fiona Carter

Posted by Fiona Carter
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fcarter@brownejacobson.com
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Total Place: Con-Dem (ned)?

Wednesday, May 12th, 2010

Following days of extensive political wrangling this morning sees the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats celebrate a historic new partnership and signifies the start to a significant shake up in the way public services are delivered as the new coalition Government announces the acceleration of £6bn of public spending cuts.

Prior to the General Election both the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats publicly declared their commitment to supporting the development of further integration between public sector organisations.

Whether the new Government will choose to achieve these cuts by building on the Total Place agenda developed by Labour over the last twelve months, which supports a ‘whole system approach’ to the commissioning and delivery of public services, or whether it will seek to attain short term savings without realising any widespread public sector reform remains to be seen. What is clear is that change is on the horizon and it’s likely to be big.

Emily Birkett

Posted by Emily Birkett
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ebirkett@brownejacobson.com

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Parent Power

Wednesday, February 24th, 2010

The Government has announced plans to allow parents to vote to change a school’s leadership where there is significant dissatisfaction locally. In line with Labour’s Accredited Schools Group/Provider initiative, parents would be able to choose from a list of accredited organisations to take over running the school. Gordon Brown promised parents “a strong voice and real power”.

Comparisons with the Conservative’s education policy – they want to make it easier for parents to set up new schools – will no doubt be rife. Ed Balls himself was quick to argue that while the Tory policy requires “busy working parents” to set up their own schools if they are not happy with their local state school, the Government’s proposals enable parents to “demand change and get a new and quality-guaranteed provider”.

It seems to be becoming rather trendy for political parties to drop the “P” word into their education manifestos. It will be interesting to see whether this dedication to parent power will run out of steam following the General Election.

Mark Blois

Posted by Mark Blois
0115 976 6087
mblois@brownejacobson.com

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