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March 2005 |
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I asked "a reader", whilst cogitating on what to put on this page, "what shall I write in this month's editorial?" The answer was, "Why you pontificate? Perhaps about what might happen after the general election?"
I think not – the media pundits are doing quite enough of that already – and have been since about Christmas time. By the time we get to 5 May even the most "hardened political animal" will have probably become a bit disillusioned with the whole process.
Of course, once the election is actually announced then there is a very short time-scale in which the present government can cram in everything that it wants/needs to before the dissolution – and then there's nothing until the new administration is announced. No routine press releases from government departments telling us how wonderful everything is, no new White or Green Papers (not even ones that have been written and are simply awaiting final approval), and no new legislation! Wow! Dawn, Ruth and I are in for an easy life! Would that it were so. The journals will continue to arrive, the daily e-zines will come in to the inboxes, Europe doesn't close down just because the UK is going into a general election, and there will still be information management and social issues which are not affected by politics.
Some readers will remember a recent ADSET Conference at which Peter Gillman facilitated an option session on "reasonableness". The basis for this was that many laws which affect us in our use of information contain the word reasonable – the courts have to decide what a reasonable person would expect to happen in reasonable circumstances. The March/April issue of Adviser (from Citizens Advice) asked about reasonableness in an article titled, "Failure to disclose: when reasonableness can be a relevant factor". The issue was a claim for benefit that was dependent on the claimant having less than a certain amount of capital. The claim form asks, "Do you have capital in excess of £2,500?" to which the answer was "No, I do not" and the claim was duly allowed. Later the paying authority discovered that the claimant had recently disposed of some £17,000 and sought to recover the benefit that had been paid "in error" on the basis that a 1997 Regulation places a requirement on claimants to "disclose any relevant information". But, what is relevant? And, is it reasonable to assume that the claimant knew about this Regulation?
Apropos of nothing in particular – on 7 March I sent Dawn an LSC site update alert with the following note: "Press release is national – rest are Somerset but might be interesting." Her response: "It was a national press release all right, but guess when it was from? 30 September last year!" It's not the first time that alerts have been late but five months is a bit over the top!
There seems to be a lot of attention being paid to gender issues – pay gap, lack of women in management etc this month. Public Money & Management (Volume 25 Number 1) was no exception. The only reason I noticed it was that women were being told that, in the public sector at least, once you break through the glass ceiling you are likely to find yourself on the top of the glass cliff. Whilst I found the mixed metaphor odd I understand that women are being promoted to positions in failing units and departments and then when the failure occurs "it's because you put a woman in charge", not because the situation was untenable to start with – that's the glass cliff.
Reducing junior class sizes, supporting low, performing schools and providing support to teaching heads in small or rural schools are all areas which will benefit from an additional £23 million of funding from the Welsh Assembly Government. Jane Davidson, Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning, said today (8 March), "For the fifth year running the Assembly is providing substantial additional funding to ensure sustained school improvement across three important areas of education."
Welsh Assembly press release 8 March
"Troubled" teenagers will be sent to a prestigious new breed of state-sponsored boarding schools under government plans to rescue inner-city education. Official proposals for new academies include setting up boarding schools that could cater for children from broken homes or in council care.
Richard Garner, Education Editor, The Independent 6 March
Update comment: Dawn asks whether these institutions are boarding schools or boot camps. I seem to remember that the word "Borstal" used to come into the equation.
School inspectors will report their findings directly to pupils as a result of a shake-up in the way schools are inspected. Under the new system, each pupil will receive a letter outlining how their school has fared. The plans were criticised by headteachers' leaders, who claimed it could cause disciplinary problems. David Hart, General Secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers, said: "I think the Chief Inspector has gone off the rails. If he is determined to go down that route, he had better make sure he does not give pupils ammunition to criticise individual teachers or wider groups who could be identified from the report."
Richard Garner, Education Editor, The Independent 9 March
An extension to the controversial initiative of stationing police officers in schools is being considered by the Scottish Executive. Speaking at an Edinburgh conference on young people's life chances, a senior police officer at Grampian Police revealed that having a school-based police officer in Northfield Academy in Aberdeen had proved "a runaway success". While Chief Inspector Harry Thorburn acknowledged that the public had been divided on its merits, he said that in the three years that an officer has been resident at the school, exclusions have fallen by 40%.
Kay Smith, TES Scotland 18 March
One-fifth of Scottish parents refused to send their children to their local school amid fears of falling standards in the state education sector, according to figures released by the Scottish Executive. The figures show that over 30,000 placing requests were made by parents who did not want their child to attend a local primary, secondary or special school.
Kevin Schofield, Education Correspondent, The Scotsman 16 March
According to a survey conducted by The TES, one in four state-school teachers would educate their children privately if they could afford it. The survey showed that 26% of teachers in the English and Welsh state system would send their children to independent schools if they had the money. However, Dick Davison, joint director of the Independent Schools Council information service, pointed out: "You could look at the figure and say it shows one in four teachers are unconfident in the state system – or you could say that it shows teachers are far more confident than others. From the second perspective, it's actually modestly promising for state schools."
Michael Shaw, The TES 4 March
Partnerships forged between independent and state-maintained schools have succeeded in building bridges between the sectors and breaking down negative preconceptions, a new report published today (15 March) by the Office for Standards in Education (OfSTED) has found. Today's report, Independent/state school partnerships, evaluates the impact of partnerships set up between 2003 and 2004 under the independent/state school programme (ISSP). The ISSP was set up by the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) in 1998 to provide a structure and funding for co-operation between the sectors.
The report is on the OfSTED website at www.ofsted.gov.uk
OfSTED press release 15 March Client ref NR 2004 - 33
Calls for expulsion and prosecution for pupils who make malicious allegations against teachers were called for at the conference of the National Association of Schoolmasters and Union of Women Teachers. The NASUWT also called for teachers to remain anonymous while under investigation and for those who were exonerated to be removed from police files.
Alexandra Blair, Times Online 1 April
The majority of the government's new flagship city academies have been placed among the worst performers in this year's English school league tables. The tables, which are based on test results from last year for 14-year-olds in English, maths and science, show that nine of the eleven academies came in the bottom 200 schools in England. The publication of the tables coincides with a Commons Education Select Committee report calling for the extra £5 billion earmarked for setting up a further 200 academies to be withheld until their cost-effectiveness has been demonstrated. Moreover, the largest classroom teachers' union, the National Union of Teachers, has hardened its opposition to the programme with a motion due to be debated at its forthcoming conference which recommends trying to halt the new schools.
Rebecca Smithers, The Guardian 17 March
The Commons Education Select Committee has called for a halt to the creation of academy schools until they can "prove their worth". A report from the committee, outlining the findings of a two-year enquiry into academies, criticised ministers for "lacking a coherent strategy and of rolling out schemes without proper evaluation". The report acknowledged that there have been improvements in standards in academies. However, it questions this as it is unclear whether this is as a result of specialisation itself, or whether good management and additional funding are behind the improvements. It stated: "The government should ensure that the current programme of academies is thoroughly evaluated, in respect of both the performance of individual academies and the impact on neighbouring schools, before embarking on a major expansion of an untested model."
BBC News Online 17 March
The two biggest teachers' unions have "declared war" on the government's plan to set up a network of 200 privately sponsored academies to replace struggling inner-city secondary schools. Peter McLoughlin, the President of the National Association of School Masters and Union of Women Teachers, said the scheme was "a recipe for chaos" smacking of "a slavish adherence to an ideology and a fascination with gimmicks". Echoing these sentiments, delegates at the National Union of Teachers annual conference voted unanimously to send a team of union representatives into areas where new academies are planned to persuade parents and teachers to stop any new scheme getting off the ground. The Association of Teachers and Lecturers has already voted to oppose the scheme, saying it is a "Trojan horse" for privatising education.
Sarah Cassidy and Richard Garner, The Independent 29 March
The "moderate" Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ALT) has joined the call for the government to abandon its plans to create 200 more academy schools. The move by the ATL follows the launch of the National Union of Teachers' campaign against the £5 billion programme of privately sponsored academies to replace the most persistently failing schools in the country.
Polly Curtis, Education Correspondent, The Guardian 22 March
Scheme to redress skills shortages
This year's Budget included plans to boost skills training by increasing the number of places on apprenticeship schemes and setting up a new Union Learning Academy. The government also said that it will offer an additional £65 million for the coming year to support the Employer Training Pilots, which allows workers to take paid time off for training. In addition, there will be a series of new measures introduced to reduce the proportion of young people who are not in education and training. They include:
Rebecca Smithers, The Guardian 17 March
The government has announced the first major expansion of its controversial academy programme into the further education sector with 12 new skills academies planned for 2008. Education Secretary Ruth Kelly put academies at the heart of the Skills White Paper, Skills: Getting on in business, getting on at work. The first academy – the Fashion Retail Academy – is due to open in September 2005, and is sponsored by Philip Green, the head of the Arcadia Group, which owns TopShop. However, the Association of Colleges (AoC) said that its members are "nervous" about academies. AoC's Director of Funding Julian Gravatt said: "The important thing will be to make sure the new academies build on what's good in the current system, rather than take as a starting assumption that what's here isn't any good. There is a risk that the academy gets driven by the sponsor's wishes rather than the main priorities of that area or sector."
Polly Curtis, Education Correspondent, The Guardian 22 March
Update comment: It remains to be seen how much of the Skills White Paper survives into the next administration. However, to set up FE academies on the basis of what has been "achieved" in the schools sector strikes me as plain daft. And that comment provides a neat link to the detail of the White Paper.
The Guardian 22 March
A printed copy of the White Paper (Cm 6483 ISBN: 0-10164-832-4 price £26) can be ordered from TSO
tel: 0870 600 5522
email: book.orders@tso.co.uk
Update comment: I've not checked the above summary against "the real thing" but I have no reason to doubt the veracity of it. I now feel justified in throwing out the press release from the DfES which says some of the same things, starting with "Ruth Kelly, Education and Skills Secretary, pledges `an end to dead-end-jobs'. The government is to help millions to get the skills they need to get into work, get better jobs and help companies compete with China, India and other emerging economies."
Responding to the publication of the Skills White Paper, Chris Banks, Chair of the Learning and Skills Council, said: "The Skills White Paper responds to many of the concerns of business and sets a challenge for employers to work more closely with colleges and training providers in new ways. It introduces, for the first time nationwide, a simple route for employers to easily access high-value training. To compete on cost and value-added goods and services in the global marketplace, we need to measure up to emerging economies where the number of graduates each year is allowing these countries to compete not just on cost but on expertise. With employers we can develop a better mix of skills to fill jobs that demand high-level expertise as well as those that require technical abilities. This will require the right kind of financial investment from both the public and private purse. The White Paper sets a huge and exciting challenge for the LSC, and we are determined to make a real difference."
LSC press release 22 March
Commenting on the government's Skills White Paper, the British Chambers of Commerce President, Bill Midgley, said that the BCC welcomed the government's desire for employers "to be given a greater role in the design of vocational qualifications, and identifying skills and training needs". He warned, however, that the BCC "remains concerned about the complexity of the skills delivery system". Mr Midgley said: "We have far too many agencies and bodies who all claim to know best about how to take forward this agenda. Yet year on year we see our employers reporting difficulties finding the right staff. We need a comprehensive review of the plethora of agencies and bodies involved in the skills arena. Choice is essential for both employers and employees. Businesses want flexible solutions to their skills needs and the funding and delivery structure must be more business friendly. Even when a skills need has been identified by an employer or employee, the system has become too complicated to adequately fulfil their requirements. Businesses want to train their staff but are being put off by the complicated process they face."
British Chambers of Commerce press release 22 March
The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) has strongly rebutted claims by the Association of Colleges that the Skills Strategy is in peril. David Way, Director of Skills at the LSC, said: "The Association of Colleges is completely at odds with our experience of working with principals of further education colleges. The Skills Strategy provides a great opportunity for adults, young people, employers and those who deliver quality training, including many colleges. It is an economic imperative that we close the skills gap with our global competitors. We need to work with partners such as the Association of Colleges to achieve this. It is time to work together. Contrary to the negative impressions given by the Association of Colleges' comments we are working with colleges to help work closely with employers. So far this approach has been welcomed by colleges across England who see their role as responding to employers and adults in the workplace, who need up-skilling."
LSC press release 22 March
In response to the publication of the Skills White Paper, Skills for Business welcomed the government's employer-led approach, which represents a major shift towards delivering a demand-led education and skills system. Christopher Duff, Chief Executive of the Sector Skills Development Agency, said: "In reinforcing the role of Sector Skills Councils, the White Paper makes clear the urgent need for education to get more closely involved in the productivity agenda, by prioritising work-related skills development at all levels. Through the new Sector Skills Agreements, the colleges, universities and their funding bodies are showing they are listening more closely to the needs of employers in our wealth-generating industries as well as in our public services. There's little point in educationalists simply asking for more resources, especially as education has received substantial extra funding in recent years. Employers too need to step up to the mark, just as they are in helping create the Sector Skills Agreements. If we trained 350,000 more people, we would create an extra £10 billion for the economy. This is enough to increase spending on schools, colleges and universities by a fifth or to cut income tax by a tenth."
SSDA Involve Issue 78 (22 March)
Update comment: This view was echoed by Keith Marshall, Chief Executive SummitSkills, the Sector Skills Council for building services engineering who said: "Employers are in a pole position to benefit from the Skills White Paper."
Commenting on the launch of the Skills White Paper, TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said: "The White Paper sets out ambitious plans to transform the nation's skills. We need no less than a revolution to end the endemic weakness in our skills base that prevents too many employees from realising their full potential and also acts as a drag on the national economy. ¼ If we are serious about raising the level of skills in this country then employers must back training in the workplace, especially the 40% who currently offer no training whatsoever. Bosses must recognise the work of union learning reps and allow their staff either time off to train, or some flexibility in their hours so they can take advantage of training available. Improving the skills base in this country has immeasurable benefits for both the economy and the individual, the challenge is making sure everybody makes full use of the new tools available."
TUC press release 23 March
"The indispensable first step to getting the things you want out of life is this: Decide what you want."
Ben Stein, Professor and Writer
Jane Davidson, Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning, welcomed the proposals from the UK government on Skills, published today (22 March), which chime well with our approaches in Wales. Although the White Paper is largely for England it does, as it acknowledges, have some cross-over into Wales, particularly in respect of Sector Skills Agreements. Jane Davidson, who was present at the launch at 11 Downing Street, commented: " The Welsh Assembly Government has a vision of making Wales a more economically strong nation, with a highly skilled and flexible workforce. We were the first part of the UK to remove age restrictions on Modern Apprenticeships and we introduced the innovative Modern Skills Diploma for Adults. Individual Learning Accounts and the all-age bilingual Careers Wales Online are both up and running. We have made excellent progress with the Credit Qualification Framework – an approach that England is now taking up. We have also piloted free training up to a first Level 3 qualification for employees in the Learning Workers Project at Llanelli."
Relevant papers and press releases can be found on www.learning.wales
The Skills and Employment Action Plan 2005 at www.learning.wales.gov.uk/pdfs/c5104-seap-report-e.pdf
The consultation paper on the new National Basic Skills Strategy at www.learning.wales.gov.uk/pdfs/nbs-consultation-e.pdf
Education, training and job opportunities for school and college leavers in Wales are at www.careerswales.com
Welsh Assembly press release 22 March
Sector Skills Agreements are fundamentally altering the way skills are demanded, delivered and developed throughout the UK. By mapping out exactly what skills employers need their workforce to have, and how these skills will be supplied, Sector Skills Agreements will ensure the UK has the skilled workforce it needs to increase productivity and profitability, now and in the future. To find out more about SSAs, two publications are available:
Hard copies of the leaflets are also available
For further details contact Paul Bainbridge
tel: 01709 765 473
email:paul.bainbridge@ssda.org.uk
SSDA Involve Issue 75 (1 March)
"The chief lesson I have learned in a long life is that the only way to make a man trustworthy is to trust him."
Henry Stimson, US statesman (1867-1950)
In an article for The Guardian (22 March), Alan Tuckett, Director of the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE), argues that the government's decision to kill off the NHS University after just 18 months is "too hasty". Mr Tuckett believes that the premise of the NHSU was both noble and inherently sensible, not least the commitment to ensure that everyone working in health and social care enjoyed good basic skills. He suggests that, by scrapping the NHSU, the government has thrown the baby out with the bathwater. While the NHSU will be replaced by the NHS Institute for Learning, Skills and Innovation, and despite reassurances from the Department for Health, the new organisation does not appear to have the same commitment to learning as its predecessor. It will no longer act as a provider, so the 30,000 who benefited from NHSU courses may be the last to enjoy such provision. Mr Tuckett comments: "If provision is to revert to the strategic health authorities, there is no guarantee that the good will prevail over the inadequate, little prospect that there will be step changes to the quality and quantity of provision, and every chance that the same old fragmented approach the NHSU was set up to overcome will carry on. ¼ Every re-organisation involves risks – things get lost on the way, and the worry here is that the needs of the least qualified will lose out. In my view, a little more patience with the NHSU would have repaid the government handsomely."
The government has been accused of abandoning its commitment to lifelong learning for National Health Service staff after the strategy for the body to replace the NHS University was leaked. The strategy document made no mention of either education or widening participation in learning for NHS staff in its "vision" for the NHS Institute for Learning, Skills and Innovation. Andy Pike, National Official for Higher Education at lecturers' union NATFHE, commented: "This blueprint for the new institute is a slap in the face for lifelong learning and will be a huge disappointment for NHS employees, who had been promised so much by new Labour."
Claire Sanders, The THES 11 March
The annual conference of the British Learning Association, Advancing methods and new ideas for learning, will take place at the Royal Institute of British Architects, London, on Tuesday 26 April 2005. Guest speakers include Bob Fryer, National Director for Widening Participation in Learning, NHS; and Mark Cummings, Senior Policy Adviser e-Learning Strategy Unit, DfES, who will address the opening keynote session "Building a Learning Culture".
Detail at www.british-learning.com/conf2005.htm
BLA email update 3 March
Current education policy is urging the development of more vocational learning opportunities for young people and adults. However, our current knowledge base about the effectiveness of vocational learning is sparse and requires urgent development. This report critically reviews a range of evidence on different vocational learning programmes, their purposes and outcomes, and what we know about the learning processes involved. The findings will be of interest to teachers and trainers, managers, inspectors and policy-makers.
The report is available free of charge from the
LSDA, Regent Arcade House, 19-25 Argyll Street, London W1F 7LS
tel: 020 7297 9144
email: enquiries@LSDA.org.uk
It is also online (PDF 88pp) at www.lsda.org.uk/files/PDF/1689.pdf
LSDA website March 2005
Update comment: The findings will also be of interest to adult information, advice and guidance practitioners.
In an article for t magazine (March 2005), Maria Hughes, Research Manager at the LSDA, outlines two major new reports on current vocational learning systems. The reports, published under the umbrella title Modelling a Vocational Learning System for the 21st Century, concluded that the current system relies heavily on local learning providers. These providers, in partnership with funding and planning bodies, respond to the demands of individuals and stakeholders, such as employers, but fail to engage sufficiently with national priorities. The researchers were somewhat critical of the voluntary nature of the current system, based as it is around inducements. They propose that this localised, voluntary system needs to be changed if the UK is to enjoy "a skilled workforce for a modern economy".
Emerging Policy For Vocational Learning in England (PDF 64pp) www.lsda.org.uk/files/PDF/1657.pdf
Outcomes and Processes in Vocational Learning (PDF 88pp) www.lsda.org.uk/files/PDF/1689.pdf
An online "ready reckoner" that tells students which university would best suit their pocket is being developed by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service with university partners. The one-stop shop will allow applicants to see how much they can get in grants and bursaries, as well as give them fee information and the entry qualifications required to gain a place.
Alison Goddard, The THES 11 March
A synonym is a word you use in place of one you can't spell.
Anon
The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) is making available an additional £38 million in response to the growing demand from employers for apprenticeships. Part of the money will fund new apprentice places and will be directed to employers and training providers that deliver high-quality apprenticeship programmes. It will help the LSC meet its commitment to increase the number of young people starting an apprenticeship in the current year to 175,000. Stephen Gardner, the LSC's Director of Work Based Learning, said: "Apprenticeship providers have been reporting waiting lists and the additional funds will ensure that every employer who wishes to recruit an apprentice can do so. ¼ We will ensure that the money being made available is put to the best use by directing it to fund existing and new apprentice places with organisations that provide high-quality, value-for-money training."
LSC press release 31 March
The Association of Learning Providers has warned that teenagers may have to be turned away from apprenticeships unless more money is forthcoming. In a letter to the Commons Education Select Committee, Graham Hoyle, ALP's Chief Executive, said that apprenticeships have become a victim of their own success. Unprecedented retention rates could mean that there will not be enough money to fund new recruits. Indeed, a survey of ALP members indicates that some 60% may be forced to freeze recruitment this year. Stephen Gardiner, the Learning and Skills Council's Director of Work-Based Learning, said that the LSC would work with the ALP to address the problem. Mr Gardiner said that the LSC remained committed to meeting the demand for apprenticeships, from applicants and employers alike.
Steve Hook, TES FE Focus 4 March
The TUC is outlining ambitious plans for the creation of a union academy, radically to overhaul the training offered to all workers across England. The new academy will build on training at work currently run by unions and offer working people learning when and how they want it. In a new report, the TUC sets out the academy's prime functions. It will offer guidance on training for employers and employees with courses ranging from basic skills to MBAs at colleges, universities and workplaces to suit the individual. Further help will be available through a new helpline and website and the academy will also serve as a think tank and a skills research centre.
TUC press release 21 March
The first ever independent assessment of the armed forces' training establishments by an external agency has been published by the Adult Learning Inspectorate (ALI). The ALI report, Safer Training, calls for root and branch reform of the way the armed services manage initial training and the welfare of young recruits. Key findings include:
David Sherlock, Chief Inspector of Adult Learning, commented: "The willingness to engage the ALI to conduct independent inspection, not only for initial training but in the longer term across all military, civilian and civil service activity, demonstrates the desire for change. If our recommendations are implemented with determination, we consider that very great improvement could be made in two or three years. Our report is a wake-up call, but one which can lead quickly to a better future for all concerned."
ALI press release 21 March
Copies of Safer Training: Managing risks to the welfare
of recruits in the British armed services are available, price £15,
from The Stationery Office
tel: 0870 600 55 22
email: book.orders@tso.co.uk
It (PDF 122pp) is also at http://tinyurl.com/4dguo
SLIC (Scottish Library and Information Council) is to join Careers Scotland in a project to improve access to careers information through a network of public libraries. They will develop 27 Careers Information Points, underpinned by various partnerships. They will train the staff, with a strong emphasis on developing relevant information skills. The project is financed via the European Social Fund.
Library and Information Update Volume 4 Number 3 (March 2005)
For more information, contact SLIC
tel: 01698 458888
email: slic@slainte.org.uk
CASCAiD is partnering with UCAS to provide higher education course information in its already well-established careers guidance software programmes. UCAS holds information on over 50,000 higher education courses, and details of all these courses will now be contained within CASCAiD products. Users of CASCAiD software will be able to not only get career ideas but also see which HE courses are most relevant to those particular career ideas. A direct link to the UCAS website will enable users to view the full comprehensive information on any HE course in the UK. The CASCAiD programmes will contain a search facility to allow users to identify HE courses which are relevant to their chosen career. Users will then be able to narrow down their search to make the information more valuable to them. This information will be added to CASCAiD's Careerscape Multimedia programme, and this will feature links from the company's careers matching products, Kudos and Adult Directions.
CASCAiD press release 28 February
Vocational education is failing to provide girls with a full range of career opportunities, according to research from the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC). The research found that some employment sectors remain almost exclusively male or female. A report based on the research, Free to Choose, reveals that young people – particularly girls from lower socio-economic groups – are not being given the access to careers advice, work-experience placements and training opportunities that would give them true freedom to fulfil their ambitions and potential and gain higher pay. Instead, too many are being channelled into jobs traditional to their sex. By contrast, girls who have entered work through higher education have broken into new, higher-paid jobs in areas like medicine and law and now form more than half of entrants.
The TES 1 April
A new strategy to encourage thousands more women to start up their own business was launched today (8 March), as the world celebrates International Women's Day. Jim Wallace, Enterprise Minister, launched Sharpening the Focus on Women's Enterprise in Scotland alongside new research showing the kind of business women would like to start and the constraints they face.
Scottish Executive press release 8 March
A manager has been awarded compensation of more than £35,000 for constructive dismissal and discrimination following persistent harassment by senior management and other members of staff. The man was subjected to offensive comments about his sexual orientation, including being nicknamed "Sebastian" after the camp character in the TV series Little Britain. He was eventually forced out of his job by his colleagues' homophobic behaviour. This is the first successful claim under the Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2003, which came into force last December.
Labour Research Volume 94 Number 3 (March 2005)
The DTI's Women and Equality Unit has published a guide for employers, explaining gender reassignment. The guide covers the medical process, legal context and the approach that employers should take if they have an employee who is going through gender reassignment.
IRS Employment Review Number 818 (25 February)
Gender Reassignment – A Guide for Employers (PDF 50pp) is at http://tinyurl.com/65rjw
New proposals to crack down on discrimination in the workplace have been set out in a government consultation. The consultation, Equality and diversity: Updating the Sex Discrimination Act, includes proposals to:
Commenting on the launch of the consultation, Brendan Barber, TUC General Secretary, said: "Work for many women still means they lose out in the pay stakes, get treated unfairly when they are pregnant and have to work in macho environments where they are subjected to material and banter of an offensive nature."
Changing Times News Number 56 (30 March)
Consultation document (PDF 67pp) is at http://tinyurl.com/6gf4e
The closing date for responses is Tuesday 31 May
The government will bring in a "catch-all" equality law if it wins the general election. This will make homophobic insults illegal and protect GLBT (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender) people in particular from being refused services because of their sexuality.
Marie Woolf, Chief Political Correspondent, The Independent 4 March
The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Gordon Brown, today (16 March) announced an extra £155 million for the Assembly over the next five years. This additional money will provide even higher spending power for the Assembly in 2006-07 and 2007-08 and beyond. This will provide a sound foundation for the forthcoming Assembly Budget round.
Welsh Assembly press release 16 March
A leaflet outlining the differences people across Wales can expect to see as a result of the Welsh Assembly Government's spending plans for the next three years has been published. Your Government, Your Money! explains the Assembly Government's Budget plans for the period April 2005 to March 2008.
Welsh Assembly press release 22 March
The contents for the latest issue (Volume 45 Number 1 Spring 2005) include:
The TUC welcomed the Budget delivered by Chancellor Gordon Brown. TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said: "This is a skilful Budget that combines immediate help for pensioners, low-paid families and first-time home-buyers with the Chancellor's continuing emphasis on building long-term economic strength through boosting education and skills and delivering continuing investment in public services."
In ToUCh Issue 6 (16 March)
In an article for the TES FE Focus (4 March) Rob Wye, Strategy Director for the LSC, challenges the government over its proposed reforms for 14-19 education. Mr Wye argues that the White Paper does "too little to help the less able", and questions whether the reforms can meet the needs of students in FE and training.
According to Barry Sheerman, chair of the Commons Education Select Committee, the Tomlinson reforms for the integration of vocational and academic school qualifications "could be resurrected after the general election". Mr Sheerman said that the government has shied away from a full implementation of the reforms for fear that it would prove unpopular with voters. He suggested that continued lobbying may see a change of direction following the election, and hinted that the reforms still have support within government.
Alison Goddard, The THES 18 March
The number of schools in the United Kingdom planning to offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) as an alternative to A-levels will triple within the next two years, claims George Walker, Director General of the IB Organisation. Mr Walker said initial enquiries, made following the government's decision to abandon plans to replace the A-level system with a new diploma, indicate that the number will rise from 65 to 200 within the next three years.
Richard Garner, Education Editor, The Independent 13 March
Two of Scotland's independent schools are to offer the International Baccalaureate. Fettes College in Edinburgh and St Leonard's School in St Andrews will offer the IB to senior students starting in the 2006-7 academic year. At St Leonard's, the IB will replace the school's A-level curriculum, while Fettes will offer it alongside, or as an alternative to, A-levels. At the moment, only the International School of Aberdeen offers the IB in Scotland.
Kevin Schofield, Education Correspondent, The Scotsman 9 March
The Welsh Baccalaureate will be introduced into all sixth forms, despite England's rejection of a diploma equivalent, Jane Davidson insists. The Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning said she was still "fully committed" to the new qualification, even though the Westminster government has rejected proposals for a comparable diploma incorporating academic and vocational qualifications.
Nicola Porter, TES Cymru 11 March
"Don't say you don't have enough time. You have exactly the same number of hours per day that were given to Helen Keller, Pasteur, Michaelangelo, Mother Teresa, Leonardo da Vinci, Thomas Jefferson, and Albert Einstein."
H Jackson Brown, author of Life's Little Instruction Book
Kathryn Ecclestone
There is growing evidence that assessment, when it is used effectively, can play a powerful and positive role in motivating learners and encouraging them to take control over their learning. Yet it can be a complex, confusing, and often controversial area which, rather than complementing learning, often detracts from it. In this new edition the author relates basic principles, purposes and practices of post-16 assessment to some of the broader developments in the qualification system within a political and theoretical context. Highlighting the main themes that make these processes problematic, she explores how to reach a balance between assessment that is flexible, accessible and inclusive yet allows for quality assurance and maintenance of standards. Offering practical strategies for improving assessment and accreditation, this book will raise the level of debate about the purposes of different assessment activities offered to learners and the best ways of providing it at a practitioner, organisational and policy level.
NIACE website February 2005
ISBN: 1-86201-234-2
Price: £18.95
NIACE, 21 De Montfort Street, Leicester LE1 7GE
tel: 0116 204 4216
email: orders@niace.org.uk
Children's sector leaders are divided over plans to scrap the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) and set up a single inspectorate for children's services, as announced as part of the Budget. The Chancellor said that children's services currently inspected by the commission would move to OfSTED by 2008, creating a single inspectorate for education, children's services and skills. Ian Johnston, Director of the British Association of Social Workers, described the proposals as "nonsense" and asked: "How can you justify these changes when the CSCI was only formed last April?"
Ruth Smith, Children Now 15-22 March
Plans for a high-tech mobile fraud-buster are being drawn up by banks and credit card companies in a bid to combat "card-not-present" online fraud and boost online commerce. Customers will need to use a small security device similar to those used on checkouts. They will insert their card into the device and key in their PIN in order to verify that the card is theirs.
Elizabeth Judge, The Times 15 March
Internet security company Symantec has estimated that the number of attempts to access online bank accounts illegally has more than trebled in the last six months. Using a email-borne virus, hackers redirect customers to bogus websites when they try to access a legitimate high street bank website. The unsuspecting customer then has their log-in details and other personal information harvested. This is known as "pharming".
Robert Booth, The Guardian 21 March
Although banks are spending millions on two-factor authentication to improve Internet security for customers, the approach no longer provides adequate protection against fraud or ID theft, according to a leading encryption guru. Bruce Schneier argues that two-factor authentication, which uses a second method in addition to a password to verify identity, is still vulnerable to "phishing" and Trojan attacks.
John Leyden, The Register
via ITProPortal Midweek Roundup 16 March
Citizens Advice (CAB) is warning people to be cautious when using online auction sites after recording a sharp rise in the number of people who've been ripped off. CAB reminds users that they have "very little protection" when trading through an auction site, as the transaction is largely "based on trust". CAB clients have presented a number of difficulties including paying for non-existent goods, being paid with stolen credit cards and purchasing items which have severe faults. Susan Marks, Social Policy Officer at Citizens Advice, said: "These sites are like buying goods at a car boot sale without the advantage of seeing what you are buying."
Tim Richardson, The Register
via ITProPortal News Roundup 14 March
Author: Octopus Programme
ISBN: 9-28715-682-4
Price: 30 Euros
Council of Europe Publishing
Organised crime and other forms of economic and serious crime are likely to remain priority concerns of European societies for the foreseeable future. As the nature of crime changes, policies against crime will need to adjust. This situation report indicates new and emerging threats and priority issues of concern and aims to help policy-makers in Europe make more informed decisions on anti-crime strategies. The publication provides an overview of the organised crime situation in Europe in 2004. A topical chapter is dedicated to the challenge of cybercrime with a detailed analysis of different forms of cybercrime, its links to organised crime and terrorism, and its impact on societies.
Council of Europe Publishing email update 18 March
email: publishing@coe.int
The Scottish Qualifications Authority is to use highly sophisticated printing measures to combat students trying to con their way into university courses and employment. For the first time, this year's SQA certificates will use banknote technology, similar to the watermarks and other markings used on money issued by the Royal Mint, in order to prove the authenticity of the document. The move follows growing concerns about the trade in bogus academic awards over the Internet.
Arthur MacMillan, Scotland on Sunday 27 March
The use of biometrics is necessary and inevitable but its implementation poses major challenges in respect of scale and data protection, according to a report on the future impact of the technology published by the European Commission yesterday (30 March). Biometric identifiers are set to become an increasingly common part of daily life, following an EU decision last year to introduce biometrics in passports, visas and residence permits from 2006. According to the study, Biometrics at the Frontiers: Assessing the Impact on Society, this will have a knock-on effect on civil and commercial life, as people become more familiar with the technology, costs come down, and applications become more widespread. Enhanced security and convenience are among the benefits put forward by the report, which also warns that, like all technologies, biometrics has its limits.
Biometrics at the Frontiers: Assessing the Impact on Society Report (PDF 166pp) ® Pinsent Masons 2000 - 2005
OUT-LAW.COM 31 March
Citizens Advice (CAB) has warned Internet users to be on the guard against rogue dialler scams after reporting that growing numbers of people are seeking help and advice after being scammed. According to CAB, just by clicking your mouse, closing a pop-up box or pressing "no" when asked to view a website, you can be disconnected from your usual Internet Service Provider (ISP) and reconnected to a third party service without your knowledge. In addition, CAB warns that scammers are now using non-geographic numbers (NGN) rather than premium-rate numbers. These cost around 10p a minute and, as such, are less easy to spot on a telephone bill. NFP TECHNO recommends that you ask your phone company for a monthly itemised billing report, and monitor it carefully.
NFP Techno Number 27 (March 2005)
"I don't deserve this award, but I have arthritis and I don't deserve that either."
Jack Benny
According to a study commissioned by RSA Security, the explosion of wireless networks is leaving global businesses wide open to "drive-by hacking" and other security risks. The research found that more than a third of businesses worldwide with wireless networks are open to abuse from hackers and criminals in the street or a neighbouring building. Indeed, 36% of businesses in London are at risk, having "failed to take even basic security precautions such as reconfiguring default network settings".
Robert Jaques, Vnunet
via ITProPortal News Roundup 14 March
Ninety-two per cent of London pedestrians were willing to divulge all the personal information needed to steal their identities just for the chance to win theatre tickets, according to a survey carried out for Infosecurity Europe. The researchers posed as promotions staff and asked pedestrians if they wanted to be entered into a draw to win ticket vouchers worth £20. With very little prompting, the respondents offered their name, address, postcode, date of birth and telephone number. A little "conversational" questioning drew out other personal information, such as mothers' maiden name and first school attended. These details are widely used by banks to confirm a customer's identity. Claire Sellick, Event Director for Infosecurity Europe, said that the survey was carried out as "a wake-up call" to highlight how easy it is for fraudsters to use social engineering to carry out identity theft. She pointed out that the researchers did not offer any verification of their identity, and were armed with just a clipboard. She said: "This survey showed how easy it is to steal a person's identity and breach a company's security – security is only as good as the awareness of the people it protects."
OUT-LAW.COM 24 March
Identity theft is on the increase, and there have been a number of stories in the media recently about ChoicePoint. The company is a data broker with a collection of around 17 billion public records. The data includes such things as dates of birth and addresses; through to social security numbers and drivers licence numbers. The company was duped by criminals who masqueraded as business owners, and Choicepoint gave up personal information on 145,000 people in 2004. The breach of data security at ChoicePoint is leading to increased business for other companies. For example, credit rating companies have reported an increase in the number of customers requesting their individual credit records in order to check for fraud.
See also One in four touched by ID fraud
BBC News Online 3 March http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/4311693.stm
Information Law Newsletter March 2005
While most people are learning the importance of securing data from prying eyes, Graeme Burton from Infoconomy asks how vigilant we are with our printed documents. He suggests that, certainly for some industries, leaving documents in the printer's tray could pose a serious security risk. In addition, he warns that, as printers become more sophisticated, it will be important to wipe them clean before selling or scrapping them, in the same way that we now routinely wipe a computer's hard drive [do we?].
Managing Information and Documents March 2005
UK consumers are being targeted by "phishers", spammers and scammers from overseas, announced the OFT today (10 March) as it released initial results of the first global Internet sweep of spam at a meeting of the International Consumer Protection and Enforcement Network (ICPEN) in Edinburgh. Over 70 law-enforcement agencies joined forces in the first ever coordinated sweep of the web for scammers using spam to target consumers. This was also the first time that ICPEN has linked up with the signatories of the London Action Plan (LAP), a dedicated network of spam enforcement agencies, and the computer industry. The OFT will use the sweep results to develop strategies, in conjunction with domestic and overseas partners in the public and private sectors, to combat spammers and reduce harm to consumers and legitimate e-commerce. The OFT and its partner organisations reviewed spam mailings generated over a period of three weeks. Internet users are being targeted by fraudulent emails seeking financial details; scam lottery mailings; illicit sales of pharmaceutical products and miracle health cures, among other misleading mailings.
Spam Scams – tips to help you fight back
If consumers believe they have been the victims of email scams they can report it to their local trading standards department or at www.econsumer.gov, ICPEN's global online database for cross-border complaints.
OFT reports and consumer information leaflets are available
free from
OFT, PO Box 366, Hayes UB3 1XB
tel: 0800 389 3158
email: oft@eclogistics.co.uk
OFT press release 10 March Client ref 45/05
John Lescher includes in his article information on viruses [should that be viri?], firewalls, anti-spam spyware, passwords and keeping up to date. John is a writer and market research consultant who can be contacted through <www.vivamus.com>.
The CyberSkeptic's Guide to Internet Research (November/December 2004)
Twenty-eight people have been charged after Strathclyde police launched a series of raids designed to break up a sophisticated bank fraud operation that swindled almost £2 million from over 100 private bank accounts. The gang used a combination of on- and off-line methods, such as "phishing" and stealing discarded documents. The identity of the banks targeted is not being revealed by police but the Committee of Scottish Clearing Bankers (CSCB) said the arrests are a reminder for customers to protect their confidential account details. Professor Charles Munn, from the CSCB, said: "Identity theft is fast becoming a major focus for criminal activity and the banks would like to stress again to their customers that they should never reveal their accounts details or PIN numbers to anyone. The banks will never come on the phone or send an email requesting your details."
Andy McCue, Silicon
via ITProPortal News Roundup 7 March
The authors of the Bagle, Zafi and Netsky viruses are believed to have joined forces in "an unholy alliance" that aims to spread cyber-terror, security experts have claimed. Analysts at Kapersky labs warn that they have uncovered evidence of collaboration after they detected the SpamTool.Win32.Small.b malicious code which harvests email addresses from infected machines. A spokesperson for Kapersky said: "These recent events confirm the trend towards the criminalisation of the Internet. And likely as not, events will continue to evolve in such a way. Network attacks are now automated, take place in several stages, and are carefully timed and planned. The authors of malicious code are joining forces, exchanging information and techniques, in order to increase the impact of attacks."
Robert Jaques, Vnunet
via ITProPortal Midweek Roundup 9 March
BT is introducing two initiatives to help beat rogue dialler scams. From May, BT dial-up customers will be able to download the Modem Protection programme. This is a free software package that stops computers using numbers not on a user's "pre-approved list". The second initiative is an early warning system which will alert BT customers if there is unusual activity on their phone bills.
BBC News Online 16 March
Derek Wyatt MP, chair of the All Party Internet Group (APIG), is attempting to have the 15-year-old Computer Misuse Act updated to address the threat of denial-of-service attacks and to increase the custodial sentence for hackers from six months to two years. This is the second attempt to tack a DoS extension onto the Computer Misuse Act. The first was a Private Member's Bill introduced by the Earl of Northesk in 2002. Mr Wyatt's Ten Minute Rule Bill is scheduled for a hearing on 5 April.
ITProPortal News Roundup 14 March
The Department for Work and Pensions is reported to be "in early exploratory conversations" with Capita about the provision of lie-detector systems, similar to those used by insurance companies to guard against false claims. Ministers are considering the use of "voice stress analysis technology" as an option in tackling benefit fraud.
Government Computing Volume 19 Number 3 (March 2005)
Management services company Capita is at the centre of a dispute over software failures at schools across England and Wales that forced teachers across the country to move back to paper-based records systems. According to newspaper reports, a failure of the Sims Management System during a routine upgrade left schools with corrupted files for staff and pupil records, finances and timetabling schedules. A spokesperson for Capita denied that the problems were not as widespread as reported.
Jason Wright, Infoconomy Bulletin 21 March
Headteachers claim that an unsuccessful software upgrade for the Sims Management System used in over 70% of schools has led to the loss of school records and other irreplaceable data on exam performance and attendance. The system is marketed by Capita, the firm responsible for software problems behind huge delays at the Criminal Records Bureau and glitches during the introduction of the London congestion charge.
Polly Curtis, Rebecca Smithers and Phil Revell, The Guardian 15 March
The government has withheld £13.3 million in payments to supplier EDS because of continuing problems with the Child Support Agency (CSA) computer system. But Work and Pensions Secretary Alan Johnson has rejected MPs demands for a deadline for making the system fully operational. Mr Johnson said that, while there is "more work needed to bring the agency's performance to an acceptable level", there were signs of improvement.
Vnunet via ITProPortal Midweek Roundup 30 March
Update comment: Thud! Thud! Thud! (that's the sound of Dawn banging her head on the desk).
Atlas Consortium, a group of firms led by IT services giant Electronic Data Systems (EDS), looks set be awarded the contract to provide the UK's Ministry of Defence (MoD) with its new £4 billion IT system. The Defence Information Infrastructure (DII) contract will replace 300 separate information systems across 2,000 global locations, covering over 170,000 desktops. The 10-year deal will create a unified infrastructure across the UK's armed forces.
Pete Swabey, Infoconomy Bulletin 2 March
Update comment: The strangled scream that emanated from Dawn's throat is unprintable!
Editors: Michael Chissick, Justin Harrington
ISBN: 0-42179-460-7
Price: £69
Publisher: Thomson/Sweet & Maxwell
This is a new reference work that brings together commentary and materials from practitioners working in the many areas of law related to this initiative. It offers detailed guidance on all the legal issues that need to be taken into account.
Part One outlines the scope of e-government, including background information, the policy framework, guidelines, other government papers and procurement issues.
Part Two includes clear explanation of best value, public sector powers and duties, and outsourcing.
Part Three examines the commercial implications, including managing data, IP, liability and other key transactional concerns not usually applied to local government operational methods.
Library and Information Update Volume 4 Number 3 (March 2005)
Update comment: Sorry – at that price you won't find it in the ADSET library.
The EU has recently launched an online library of e-government-related publications. The publications include policy papers, official and independent reports and surveys, and can be accessed by date, country/location, topic and document type.
URL: http://europa.eu.int/idabc/egovlibrary
Info@UK Issue 48 (March 2005)
Many job application forms on council websites are too difficult to use due to poor design, or because they "crash" repeatedly, according to a new survey conducted for the local government Society of IT Management (SOCITM). The survey argued that there was a "poor understanding of user needs" at every stage in the development of online application processes. Problems included lengthy and intimidating policy statements at the start of the form, and warnings that forms must be completed within a set time. In three out of the six cases, reviewers abandoned the application process as "too hard to continue".
E-Government Bulletin Issue 182 (18 March)
If you have been given the run-around by a government department, you may find that making an online complaint could be an even bigger ordeal. A National Audit Office report claims that, at best, webmasters don't make it easy for citizens to complain online. At worst, they make it impossible. The study used "mystery shoppers" to examine the websites of 277 central government organisations for information on what citizens should do when they're unhappy with services. It found that:
Michael Cross, The Guardian 17 March
Citizen Redress: What citizens can do if things go wrong
with public services
Full report (PDF 99pp): http://tinyurl.com/4r6r7
Executive summary (PDF 11pp): http://tinyurl.com/5vjgw
The dramatic rise in home Internet access has failed to plug the communication gap between politicians and citizens, according to a survey by Telewest Business. The survey found that fewer than 1% of people have contacted their MP via email, although 38% said they would email their MP if they knew his/her address. Almost half (45%) thought politicians should use the Internet more and one in five of those interviewed said they would be more likely to vote if online voting was available.
BBC News Online 23 March
The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has launched Project Nomad, an initiative to integrate mobile computing in local authorities. The objective of the project is "to create, under one umbrella, a comprehensive set of deliverables that should enable any local authority wishing to establish a mobile computing operation to do so with ease and confidence."
More information: www.projectnomad.org.uk/
Info@UK Issue 48 (March 2005)
Improved security for on-line transactions between public organisations will take a major step forward today (21 March) with the launch of "Government Connect". By bringing together technical solutions and practical advice, the project aims to improve electronic service delivery by central and local government, with real benefits for the communities they serve. With "Government Connect", customers will for the first time be able to enjoy the convenience of completing transactions online without having to send by post or turn up in person with their passport, driving licence or utility bill as proof of identity. The "Government Connect" prospectus invites councils across the country to become members of "Government Connect" and implement the system in a phased roll-out. The ultimate aim is that all local authorities will use the system by the end of 2007, achieving efficiencies in service delivery and costs.
ODPM press release 21 March Client ref 0075
Local authorities may be faced with a funding clawback if they fail to meet the priorities of the Implementing Electronic Government (IEG) strategy by its December deadline. Central government has provided more than £500,000 in funding to achieve the targets since the timetable was first published in November 2002. However, a number of information professionals are reporting that, as the money was not ring-fenced, many local authorities did not commit the money to e-government projects. They warn that, if the targets are not met, repaying the funding may throw councils into "financial crisis". Ken Usman-Smith, technical support manager at Rochdale Borough Council commented: "There has been a carrot and stick approach to this. The money was the carrot and now the government is introducing the stick."
Mark Chillingworth, Information World Review Number 211 (March 2005)
Software problems mean that a government pledge to inform all parents which secondary school their children will attend on the same day will not be met. The co-ordinated admissions scheme should have informed all parents of their child's destination on 1 March. However, many education authorities have encountered "serious" software problems which has prevented them from keeping to the deadline. A spokesperson for the DfES said that around 10% of authorities would not be sending out letters as promised.
Stewart Payne, Daily Telegraph 28 February
The latest survey of e-government progress places the UK third out of 28 countries, beaten only by Sweden and Austria. This is echoed by the findings of the latest United Nations survey of e-government, which placed the UK behind only the US and Denmark in a league table of 191 countries' "e-government readiness". However, the government will be disappointed to learn that the author of the European survey believes that there is little evidence that e-government makes public services more efficient, or contributes to overall national wellbeing. Graham Colclough, of consultancy Cap Gemini, warned that "the most difficult challenges for e-government lie before us".
Michael Cross, The Guardian 10 March
The second annual report on the National Strategy for Local e-Government, published today (4 March) by ODPM, sets out key areas of progress and identifies what's still required to meet the December 2005 local e-government target. Building on the positive feedback from local authorities via IEG statements published earlier this year, the report, Two Years On – realising the benefits from our investment in e-government, highlights a number of significant achievements to date. In 2005/06, Councils in England will each receive a further £150,000 in capital grant to help them deliver local e-government. In the final year of the programme, the focus will be realising the full benefits of e-government by addressing issues of value for money, take-up and organisational change.
The National Strategy is at www.localegov.gov.uk
ODPM press release 4 March Client ref 049
Mayor of London Ken Livingstone has announced plans to introduce e-money for use in the capital. Mr Livingstone's plan would see the use of the Oyster card, which is already proving popular as a way of paying for transport, extended to every day purchases such as milk, bread and newspapers in corner shops. He also wants the Oyster card to be used to pay parking fees.
Andrew Clark, Transport Correspondent, The Guardian 4 March
A new breed of voice-enabled cash machine using natural speech synthesis to guide vision-impaired users through transactions has been unveiled by technology company Diebold with assistive technology company ScanSoft. The machines, which are currently available in the US only, offer six user languages.
E-Access Bulletin Issue 63 March 2005
Volunteering can play a significant role in people's lives as they move from work to retirement. Yet various barriers, both institutional and attitudinal, appear to be deterring people from taking up volunteering later in life. A study by Justin Davis Smith and Pat Gay of the Institute for Volunteering Research interviewed older volunteers and volunteering organisations to explore "what works" in the involvement of older people as volunteers. Key findings include:
The researchers conclude that:
An overview of the research is at www.jrf.org.uk/knowledge/findings/socialpolicy/0115.asp
The full report, Active ageing in active communities: Volunteering and the transition to retirement by Justin Davis Smith and Pat Gay, is published for the Joseph Rowntree Foundation by The Policy Press as part of the Transitions after 50 series (ISBN: 1-86134-585-2, price £11.95) and is also (PDF 34pp) at www.jrf.org.uk/bookshop/eBooks/1861347626.pdf
JRF mailing list 17 March
A report launched by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) explores ways in which organisations can help solve current recruitment difficulties by getting the best out of their existing staff. The report recommends that employers need to look more seriously at the increasing skill demands made of workers who are not highly qualified, but whose contribution is nonetheless crucial to workplace success. The report, Basic Skills in the Workplace – Opening Doors to Learning, demonstrates that successful companies need higher levels of "basic skills" in their whole workforce than ever before. It examines how participating in basic skills training in maths, reading and writing can reap benefits for employers. It argues that organisations should provide more training support to lower-skilled workers given that they receive less training than their senior colleagues.
CIPD press release 7 March
Basic Skills in the Workplace – Opening Doors to Learning by Alison Wolf (PDF 17pp) is at http://tinyurl.com/6z7sw
In October 2005 the BBC will launch its biggest adult literacy campaign to date. RaW (Read more, Write better) will be "an entertainment-led drive" aimed at intermediate readers in the UK, aged between 25 and 54. The purpose of the campaign is to "create a fun and interactive space to learn, based around the everyday practical experiences of adult learners". RaW Stories, a forerunner to the campaign, is a series of storytelling workshops designed to build confidence in communication and self-expression. The workshops will be held between April and July 2005.
For more information email the BBC at literacy@bbc.co.uk
Adults Learning Volume 16 Number 7 (March 2005)
This project aims to secure the convergence of Key and Basic Skills programmes, standards and qualifications. It is anticipated that both these brands will be replaced with a new label. "Essential", "Core" and "Functional" have been suggested as new titles. More information about the convergence project is available on the Convergence and Embedding website. This website also offers information about the Embedding Skills for Life in Vocational Qualifications project.
URL: www.totallyskilled.org.uk
Basic Skills Bulletin Issue 31 (March 2005)
This is the number of shops leased by disability charity Scope that are not accessible to disabled people, in spite of requirements under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 which came into force in October.
Community Care 20-26 January
Charities are being given an ever greater role in delivering public services, writes Hélène Mulholland (The Guardian 11 March), following the announcement from the Charity Commission that charities may lawfully deliver statutory services on behalf of councils. However, some charities argue that this "landmark decision" was a little too late. Many claim that they have been delivering public services for years, particularly in the fields of health and social care. Indeed, the Commission itself admits that it is "merely circumscribing an emerging trend", rather than setting the pace for change.
Full article: http://tinyurl.com/62hw2
A new Code of Practice confirming the Assembly Government's intention to protect the rights of new staff joining organisations delivering public service contracts has been published today (18 March). The Code means that as well as staff transferring from the public sector to another organisation retaining their terms and conditions, any staff later recruited will also be employed on a package that is overall no less favourable.
Welsh Assembly press release 18 March
A survey from employers' group the CBI reveals that the UK's business community has "little faith" in government pledges to reform public services. The survey showed that transport and education are ranked as the most important public services to business and competitiveness with 94% of respondents citing transport as a key factor and education highlighted by 92% of answers. Other findings include:
Sir Digby Jones, Director-General of the CBI, said: "Business as a user of public services depends on good transport, schools and hospitals. But our experience on the ground leaves much to be desired. Business expansion is being impeded by poor transport infrastructure, recruitment is being hampered by skills shortages and employees have to wait too long for hospital treatment."
Ben Griffiths, The Scottish Herald 29 March
Significantly different approaches to key public policy issues have emerged in Scotland and Wales since devolution, as the new administrations have rejected consumer choice and diversity in favour of professionalism and uniformity. This is one of the key findings in a new study by researchers from the University of Aberdeen and Cardiff University. Their research was funded by the ESRC as part of its Devolution and Constitutional Change Programme. Michael Keating, Professor of Scottish Politics at the University of Aberdeen, explains: "The Labour Party may be the dominant political force in London, Edinburgh and Cardiff. But Scotland and Wales have stuck more to the traditional social democratic model of public service delivery. This has led them to stress non-selectivity, professionalism and uniformity, while rejecting foundation hospitals, star-rated hospitals, school league tables, beacon councils, élite universities and selective schools. Scotland also scrapped up-front university tuition fees and rejected top-up fees. At the same time, free care for the elderly has been introduced."
ESRC press release 18 March
Devolution and Public Policy: Divergence or Convergence?
is available from the
ESRC PR Officer, Becky Gammon
tel: 01793 413122
email: becky.gammon@esrc.ac.uk
Local government inspection is "excessive, uncoordinated and overly focused on processes", while its costs outweigh its benefits say councils. A survey published by the Local Government Association revealed:
Community Care 13-19 January
A summary of Inspection – Time Well Spent? (PDF 4pp) is at http://tinyurl.com/58tf2
The publication of the Annual Report is the first for the current Chairman Sir Alistair Graham whose three-year term began in April 2004. The report also marks 10 years since the Committee's establishment and includes a piece commissioned from Peter Riddell, Chief Political Commentator of The Times, in which he frankly assesses the impact of the Committee's work and the role it is likely to play in the future.
Copies of the Annual Report are available from
Committee on Standards in Public Life, 35 Great Smith Street, London SW1P 3BQ
email: Standards.evidence@gtnet.gov.uk
URL: www.public-standards.gov.uk
Committee on Standards in Public Life
press release 22 March Client ref PN 169
Welcome improvements to official data on public sector jobs, published by the ONS, provide a much clearer picture of the level of public sector employment according to John Philpott, Chief Economist at the CIPD. The latest figures show that, since 1997, growth in NHS staff (22%) and staff employed in education (18%) has been well above that for the public sector as a whole. But there has also been a 13% rise in civil service numbers and a 9% rise in staff employed in public administration. Mr Philpott argues that the latest figures, which show a growth in the numbers of public administrators as well as frontline workers, still fall short in key respects and will do little to quell controversy.
CIPD press release 11 March
The figures are at www.statistics.gov.uk/cci/nugget.asp?id=407
A Connexion-style service should be extended to young people in their twenties, according to a report from the Social Exclusion Unit. The report recommends that such a service would help "to prevent vulnerable young people falling into a gap where they can't get appropriate support". The SEU says that Connexions would be valuable to many young people in their twenties, in an interim report on transitions to adulthood.
Zero2Nineteen Bulletin 9 March
Transitions (PDF 8pp) is at http://tinyurl.com/6rwfb
A lack of training and support, particularly in small organisations, can result in untrained volunteers being left by themselves with vulnerable people or those who present a risk. In an article for Community Care (6-12 January), Louise Tickle reports on a number of initiatives which aim to offer more support to volunteers. In particular, she notes the publication of National Occupational Standards for Managing Volunteers. The standards were developed by the Voluntary Sector National Training Organisation (VSNTO) to help organisations support and develop volunteers.
More information is at www.voluntarysectorskills.org.uk
If you want to get ahead at work, join the Girl Guides. Nicole-Louise Hambridge, of Girlguiding UK, says that the movement is suffering from a lack of adult leaders.
Ms Hambridge tells us that there is currently a waiting list of some 50,000 and Girlguiding UK needs another 8,000 leaders to give places to everybody who wants to join. While the pressures of modern life are largely to blame for this shortage, Ms Hambridge argues that women should consider the personal and business benefits of volunteering. She says that employers are particularly impressed with the demonstrable levels of leadership and teamwork that this kind of activity provides.
The Economist 5-11 March
The House of Commons Science and Technology Committee has released a report on strategic science provision in universities. Committee chair Ian Gibson said he wanted decisions about the future of these subjects to be taken away from the government and given to groups of universities within the regions they serve. Dr Gibson said that the preferred model would see Vice-Chancellors forming regional groups in collaboration with representatives from schools, the Regional Development Agency and trade unions to determine how strategic subject provision will be managed. He said: "It's all an attempt to stop universities closing departments willy-nilly. They have accepted they aren't going to get any more money so they need to use what they've got in the most sensible way."
Anna Fazackerley, The THES 25 March
Universities are closing too many science departments without safeguarding the needs of students, the Royal Society warned. In its submission to the review of subjects of "national, strategic importance" by the funding council HEFCE, the society accused the government, funding councils and universities of being "too simplistic" by blaming the closures on falling applications from students. It states: "The structure of individual universities is not immutable, and the society is not necessarily opposed to the closure or merger of science departments provided the welfare of existing students is safeguarded and the change can be justified in terms of improving the overall science provision locally, regionally and nationally. However, it is concerned that some recent examples of closures did not apparently fulfil these conditions."
Polly Curtis, Education Correspondent, The Guardian 23 March
The National Union of Students and the Aim Higher Programme have published a joint guide to higher education for potential applicants. Thinking It Through covers a wide range of issues, including how to make an application and how much a course is likely to cost. It also explains that higher education does not begin and end with university, offering details about HE study at alternative institutions.
Thinking it Through - a guide to HE (PDF 16pp) is at www.aimhigher.ac.uk/resources/Guide2HE.pdf
Newscheck March 2005
Britain's oldest science pressure group, Save British Science, has announced that it is to change its name. The group will now be known as the Campaign for Science and Engineering (CASE), and the change will be accompanied by a new website.
URL: www.sciencecampaign.org.uk
Anna Fazackerley, The THES 25 March
A new box has been introduced on the National Admission form for universities, which applicants tick if they have attended events hosted by the National Academy of Gifted and Talented Youth. Headteachers fear that those who tick the box will be looked upon more favourably than those who do not.
Liz Lightfoot, Education Correspondent, The Daily Telegraph 7 March
Update comment: It's equally possible that these applicants will be looked on less favourably.
Welsh students could miss out on places at high-status universities because a course that singles applicants out as gifted is only available in England. A new question from UCAS will ask applicants to tick a box if they have attended courses or events hosted by the National Academy of Gifted and Talented Youth. However, the scheme is only available to pupils between 11 and 19 years old in England.
Gareth Morgan, The Western Mail 8 March
Élite academic institutions recruiting bright students from poor areas have been hit by major budget cuts following changes to the way that teaching is funded in English universities, writes Alison Goddard (The THES 11 March). The changes reflect the growing recognition that students who gain straight A grades at A-level are less likely to drop out of university than those with lower grades. Whereas previously, a university would be allocated funding according to the proportion of people from low socio-economic backgrounds, the Higher Education Funding Council for England will now apply a new, "much more accurate method for identifying which students are most at risk of dropping out". Funding will then be allocated according to need. Ms Goddard tells us that 14 universities, including the London School of Economics and the universities of Durham, Warwick, Cambridge, Nottingham and Leeds, have had their widening participation grants plummet by more than 20% this year.
Update comment: Do you get that, university bosses? You must attract lots of students from non-traditional backgrounds, but make sure that they don't all succeed or you'll end up having your grant cut! Dawn
"We've got clowns in our organisation. You may also have clowns in your organisation – ours are officially called clowns."
Helen Cooke, Assistant Director for HR Development, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Kids NHS Trust
"What the world really needs is more love and less paperwork."
Pearl Bailey
De Montfort University stands accused of abandoning academic standards after deciding to improve students' exam results by up to 14% because their performance was so poor. External examiners described the decision as "deplorable" and said that they wished to record their "profound reservations". They said that any general concerns about "waning student ability ¼ do not warrant inappropriate, rash actions". A spokesperson for the university defended the move, saying that the upgrades do not affect the students' progression and will not count towards final degree results.
Phil Baty, The THES 18 March
Now is the time to debate the future role of public funding, says the Chief Executive of the Higher Education Funding Council for England, Howard Newby (The Guardian 22 March). Mr Newby reminds us that this month's funding allocations from the HEFCE will effectively be the last, given that next year sees the introduction of variable fees. Allocations from HEFCE will form "a diminishing proportion" of university and college income, which potentially calls into question the purpose of the HEFCE itself. Mr Newby argues that HEFCE allocations have long encouraged continued public interest in HE, since they represent "the continuing investment of public funds". He believes that, despite the emergence of a new market for higher education, there remains a role for the HEFCE in the promotion of public confidence in HE, and in ensuring the continued public support of the sector. While the future direction of HEFCE remains unclear, Mr Newby envisages three possible roles:
Full article http://tinyurl.com/6pdut
Fears for the future of university funding are escalating as the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales announces grant allocations for the financial year 2005-06. While the allocation of £328 million will mean that all 12 institutions in Wales will receive an increase, universities say they remain "in a precarious financial position", which will not improve until a decision is made about top-up fees in Wales. Higher Education Wales, which represents institutions in Wales, has called for the National Assembly to make an immediate decision. The body welcomed the increases, but warned: "If institutions are to retain staff and offer the high quality of education currently delivered, we will need to see if the fee settlement is in line with that awarded in England."
Jenny Rees, The Western Mail 23 March
The London School of Economics has been accused of operating a secret quota system which favours state pupils, in order to meet government targets for the recruitment of students from disadvantaged backgrounds. The LSE is accused of "top-slicing" places which will be available only to candidates who are approved as being from "poorly performing state schools". The policy was revealed in a response to a request under the Freedom of Information Act.
Liz Lightfoot, Education Correspondent, The Daily Telegraph 10 March
The Quality Assurance Agency has warned that the drive to chase research ratings and grants is threatening teaching standards in universities. Peter Williams, the Chief Executive of the academic watchdog, expressed concerns about the way in which the Research Assessment Exercise can distort the focus of a university. In the foreword of the QAA's annual report, Mr Williams wrote: "The opportunities given to students for learning depend, to a considerable extent, on the resources available, human resources as well as physical resources. These are coming under increasing pressure, partly from financial constraints, but more from the influence and effect of the forthcoming RAE. If care is not taken, some higher education institutions may be diverted from their teaching mission in their chase for better RAE grades."
Phil Baty, The THES 18 March
A study into Oxford University's admissions procedures has suggested that the university's admissions tutors discriminate against independent school pupils and female candidates.
The Daily Telegraph 15 March
Update comment: Can you work out how you get from "a study suggests" to "Oxford admits"?
Alison Wolf
Expansion of higher education can undermine rather than enhance the value of education for low-income families. Less well-qualified children of higher-income families are the main beneficiaries of the expansion and the value of the qualifications of those who do not participate in higher education can be undermined. The most obvious practical policy that would expand educational opportunity for all would be to treat all adult students equally and give further education institutions and universities comparable, as well as greater, freedom from government control.
Journal of the Institute of Economic Affairs, Volume 25 Issue 1 (March 2005)
The government is wasting millions of pounds on futile attempts to persuade more students to study science, mathematics and other "strategic" subjects at university, Higher Education Minister Kim Howells said. Presenting evidence to the Commons Education Select Committee, Mr Howells argued that no amount of funding would "force" students to study science and maths. He said that he suspected "many millions of pounds" were being spent on programmes to direct students into certain areas with very little evidence that they were effective.
Chris Johnston, The Guardian 14 March
Information published on the new Teaching Quality Information website has revealed a number of concerns about "falling standards, quality-control weaknesses and blunders" at several universities. Reports from external examiners, published on the website, confirmed fears that the initiative would "dish the dirt around the international stage". Criticisms include:
Phil Baty and Clea Caulcutt, The THES 25 March
Barry Sheerman, Chair of the Education and Skills Select Committee, has argued that the EU should provide compensation for British universities whose revenue has been hit by the requirement to admit EU students on the same terms as those