Wednesday 27 June 2012

Women In Business


The Parliamentary Information Office of the Parliamentary Yearbook has been following closely the Government’s drive to increase the proportion of women in British boardrooms and will be publishing the results in the next edition

In February this year David Cameron warned that the lack of women in Britain's boardrooms is holding back the country's economic recovery. The Prime Minister said there was clear evidence to signal that ending Britain's male-dominated business culture would improve economic performance.

At present, just 15% of FTSE 100 directors are women.

In the last year, 27% of board-level appointments at FTSE 100 companies have gone to female applicants, but one in ten of Britain's biggest firms still have all-male boards.

A Government-commissioned report last year said quotas should be imposed unless top firms acted to increase the number of women on their boards to at least one in four by 2015.

Mr Cameron pledged to learn lessons from Nordic and Baltic countries as he joined eight of their leaders for a summit in the Swedish capital, Stockholm. He said:

"The drive for more women in business is not simply about equal opportunity, it's about effectiveness.

"It's about quality, not just equality. That's why one of the things we'll be discussing in Sweden is what other countries are doing to help women become entrepreneurs and take up leading positions in business.

"Women now make up nearly half the workforce across Europe and the majority of university degrees. But they are still not sufficiently represented at the senior boardroom level.

"The evidence is that there is a positive link between women in leadership and business performance, so if we fail to unlock the potential of women in the labour market, we're not only failing those individuals, we're failing our whole economy.

"We're already helping women to set up and grow their own business in the UK. But the Nordic and Baltic countries are leading the way in Europe, with female representation on boards far above the EU average.

"So I want to get ideas in Stockholm that we can take back to London to explore if they could help us get more women into British boardrooms, boosting profits and contributing to the economic growth we all urgently need".

Last November the Home Secretary announced funding to recruit and train 5,000 mentors as part of a package of support for women in business. The Department for Business revealed a further 10,000 mentors would be recruited to support both male and female entrepreneurs.

Today the Home Secretary announced the fact that thousands of successful women have joined the drive to kick-start growth by mentoring other women wanting to succeed in business.

Inspirational mentoring champions include Specsavers founder Dame Mary Perkins and Dawn Russell, who survived cancer and now runs her own foundation aimed at boosting self-worth in young women.

Other high-profile ambassadors promoting mentoring include Hallett Retail founder Wendy Hallett and digital business entrepreneur Penny Power.

Home Secretary and Minister for Women and Equalities Theresa May said:

“Women are vital to Britain's economic future and the support of a mentor will help even more of them fulfil their true potential.

“The Government is working hard to help women make the most of their talents, but we cannot act alone. I'm delighted by these mentors' commitment to helping budding businesswomen succeed - and to making Britain prosper.”

The Home Secretary also announced updates to a range of additional support for women in business:
  • Think, Act, Report – case studies are being published today showing how adopting the principles behind the Government's voluntary approach to diversity at work has helped leading firms - including BT, Tesco and Ernst & Young - reap business rewards
  • Women's Business Council - the council is today publishing the work programme for its one-year mission to identify and break down the barriers to female success
  • Women and banks - the government is revealing the initial findings of its review to ensure women have equal access to the finance they need to start a business
The Home Office also published today details of a £2m programme to help female entrepreneurs in rural areas start or build their own business.

Equalities Minister Lynne Featherstone said:

“'Britain has many talented women who will thrive as these Rural Growth Networks give them the tools they need to launch or develop their own businesses.

“Women are about half as likely as men to become entrepreneurs and we need to harness their untapped skills. Living in a rural area can also present specific challenges that these projects aim to address.”

The Parliamentary Information Office of the Parliamentary Yearbook will continue to report on the progress of the measures as we go through the months ahead.

Aung San Suu Kyi Addresses Both Houses Of Parliament


The Parliamentary Information Office of the Parliamentary Yearbook adds to the welcome given by Members of both houses when she addressed them yesterday

Nobel prize winner and newly elected parliamentarian Aung San Suu Kyi addressed members of both Houses in Westminster Hall yesterday (Thursday 21 June) at 3pm during her visit to the UK and became the first non-head of State and only the second woman to address both houses. The other is of course Her Majesty the Queen.

Commons Speaker, John Bercow MP, gave a welcome address introducing Aung San Suu Kyi’s speech. Mr Bercow said:

“This Hall has hosted many events over the past 900 years. In recent times only a few international figures - Charles de Gaulle, Nelson Mandela, Pope Benedict XVI and Barack Obama - have spoken here. Today Daw Aung San Suu Kyi will become the first figure other than a Head of State, the first woman from abroad and the first citizen of Asia to do so.

“This is not a break from precedent without a purpose. The courage of our guest is legendary. She has withstood the unimaginable suffering of separation from her family and her people with a dignity, fortitude and resolve which most of us can barely conceive. Her connections with the United Kingdom, reinforced in Oxford yesterday, are intimate. She has been the symbol of resistance to a regime which even in an imperfect world has been exceptional in its barbarity. As the UN has documented, and from three trips to Burma's borders I can myself attest, this is a cabal guilty of rape as a weapon of war, extra-judicial killings, compulsory relocation, forced labour, deployment of child soldiers, use of human minesweepers, incarceration of opponents in unspeakable conditions, destruction of villages, obstruction of aid and excruciating torture. Burma has become a beautiful but benighted land where fear runs through society like blood flowing through veins. One woman has now defied a dictatorship of such depravity for two decades. That is why Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, a leader and a stateswoman, is here with us this afternoon.

“However, there is room for cautious optimism. The recent election to Parliament of our guest, accompanied by 42 of her colleagues, and the release of many political prisoners are welcome signs of reform. We earnestly hope that further, and fundamental, reform will ultimately lead to the freedom, democracy and rule of law which we have so long enjoyed and the people of Burma have too long been denied. There is an Asian saying that a journey of a thousand miles must start with a single step. We are proud that one such step will be taken in this Parliament today.

“Parliamentary colleagues, ladies and gentlemen, it is my privilege to welcome the conscience of a country and a heroine for humanity, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.”

In her address she said it was important to empower the people of Burma, and now was her country's time of greatest need. Ms Suu Kyi said:


"I am here in part to ask for practical help, help as a friend and an equal, in support of the reforms which can bring better lives, greater opportunities, to the people of Burma who have been for so long deprived of their rights and their place in the world.

"My country today stands at the start of a journey towards, I hope, a better future. So many hills remain to be climbed, chasms to be bridged, obstacles to be breached.

"Our own determination can get us so far. The support of the people of Britain and of peoples around the world can get us so much further."

She stressed that it had been less than 100 days since she was on the campaign trail in Burma and went on to have the electoral success that that has made her opposition leader in parliament.

This remarkable personal transition encourages her in her belief that "before too long" Burma will become a truly democratic society.”

But she warns that Burma's transition will be tough - "the most difficult road we have ever walked", she said in the address.

Vital, in her view, is help in building Burma's democratic institutions and education, and developing a "clean and efficient" civil service.

Ms Suu Kyi concluded her speech by saying there was a lot more work to be done before reform in Burma was complete.

She said: "I would ask that our friends, both here in Britain and beyond, participate in and support Burma's efforts towards the establishment of a truly democratic and just society.”

Lord Speaker, Baroness D’Souza, gave a valedictory address thanking Aung San Suu Kyi following her speech. She said:

“On behalf of the House of Lords, and everyone here today, may I express our collective and heartfelt thanks for your inspiring words.

“We all espouse freedom and democracy but few of us are called upon to pay for and uphold these principles by spending 15 years in detention. Your presence here today is a testament to your courageous approach of steadfast non-violence and reason in the face of an oppressive, powerful and determined regime.

“Your struggle has reverberated around the world. It has forcibly reminded us that free and fair elections, a free press, an independent judiciary, and the institutions of civil society are the cornerstones of democracy and individual freedom. We take these freedoms for granted at our peril. Democracy is never won once and forever – it is a process requiring constant vigilance. Today you have reminded us of the struggle that must continue in Burma and elsewhere.

“In post-war Europe we have seen that it is possible for countries to make the transition from totalitarianism to democracy, and I trust that this will give you hope and encouragement for the journey ahead.

“Your stand against repression has been at the heart of the National League for Democracy’s struggle. I am sure that at times during your long campaign you must have felt unbearably lonely, though as you yourself have said, the Nobel Peace Prize allowed you to feel part of the international community. And indeed, through you, your people and your country were always in our minds.

“Now, together, we must use this occasion of your address to fellow parliamentarians to renew our own determination to be part of the struggle for liberty whenever and wherever it arises.”

The proprietors and staff of the Parliamentary Yearbook add to those good wishes and will follow closely Burma’s transition to a true democracy.

This was submitted by the Parliamentary Information Office. For more information visit Parliamentary Information Office.

Friday 15 June 2012

Games4life



The Parliamentary Information Office of the Parliamentary Yearbook is currently gathering news items for major features on the health of the Nation in this London Olympic year for publication in the next edition

As reported at the time by the Parliamentary Yearbook, In January 2009 the last Government launched the Change4Life campaign, a society-wide movement that aimed to prevent people from becoming overweight by encouraging them to eat better and move more. It was the marketing component of the Government’s response to the rise in obesity and aimed to inspire a societal movement in which everyone who has an interest in preventing obesity, be they Government, business, healthcare professionals, charities, schools, families or individuals, can play their part.

In February this year the coalition Government, in order to harness the energy and excitement of the Olympic Games this summer announced that in June Games4Life for schools would be launched as part of the ongoing Change4 Life campaign, aiming to inspire children and their families to get their active minutes every day. Games4Life set itself a challenging ambition, for these to be the first Olympics to get more people off their sofas and physically active during summer 2012 and more importantly, beyond.

Some of the opportunities Games4Life presents include:
  • Co-branding existing Responsibility Deal physical activity work, or any other existing physical activity initiatives, with Games4Life this summer
  • Implement Games4life activity around Euro 2012, Olympics/Paralympics, School holidays, summer outdoor play and other sporting events
  • Assist with the dissemination of personalised activity plans
  • Provide incentives or promotions to encourage participation in physical activity and sign up to Change4Life, e.g. Facebook, media partnership, activity pack
  • Align employee programmes, co-brand employee communications and run employee events.
Then today Games4Life  was launched by Health Secretary Andrew Lansley.

The campaign will build on the excitement of the sporting activities taking place this summer and will encourage millions of people to get involved and get active.

This summer there will be over 1,200 hours of sport on TV, which is an average of 13 hours a day.

New research shows that 93 per cent of us will be tuning into some of this coverage during the next three months. The survey also shows that over half of us will snack on crisps, four in ten adults will drink alcohol and one in five will eat a takeaway whilst watching.

In a bid to get the nation up off the sofa, Games4Life will be encouraging everyone to fill out a simple activity check questionnaire in return for a tailored Games4Life activity pack to keep both adults and kids active during the summer months.

The innovative campaign will bring ideas and inspiration to the public’s fingertips via the Change4Life website, which is full of fun, easy and free ways for everyone to get moving. And for families, there’s a new mobile app – the Fun Generator – that will equip parents and families with over 100 indoor and outdoor activity ideas for kids of all ages.

Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said:

“I’m looking forward to watching what is shaping up to be an exciting summer of sport on TV, beginning today with the first England football match in Euro 2012.

“But we know that playing sport can be as much fun as watching it and we want to help people make the most of opportunities to get active.

“That is why we are launching Games4Life: to inspire us all to get off our sofas and try some activity ourselves.”

Sally Gunnell, former British Olympic Champion and mother of three, said:

“Major sporting events on TV always inspire people to try something out but we sometimes don’t make it past the front door because we’re not sure where to start. It’s great that this campaign strikes while the iron’s hot and gives people encouragement to get active this summer.

“I’ll certainly be looking out for my Games4Life questionnaire and will be filling it out for my whole family.”

Around 2.6 million activity packs have already been distributed to 7,500 schools across the country with lesson plans for teachers and take-home activities for children to use throughout their summer holidays.

ASDA, Aldi and JJB have also pledged their support for Games4Life and will promoting the campaign through events, sports related offers and promotional material.

Local Authorities and Change4Life supporters are also getting involved in supporting Games4Life and will be distributing over four million questionnaires to local communities.

The campaign will be supported by TV, digital, press advertising and social media activity.

The Parliamentary Information Office of the Parliamentary Year book will continue to report on the success of the campaign as we go through the months ahead.

Thursday 14 June 2012

Apprenticeships



The Parliamentary Information Office of the Parliamentary Yearbook has been monitoring progress in Government policy relating to higher education for a major feature apprenticeships and further education in the next edition

The Government has recently announced a series of tougher standards to drive up the quality of apprenticeships. These include 12 month minimum durations for all apprenticeships from August 2012, except where 19+ apprentices have prior learning that means that a shorter period is possible and public funding is reduced, driving improvements in training and workplace learning.

A new report published last month shows that Britain’s apprentices are getting promoted, improving their confidence and taking on more responsibility in the workplace.

The results are taken from the Apprentice Learner Survey of 5,000 apprentices and provides fresh evidence of the real value of apprenticeships.

Key findings include:

Satisfaction amongst apprenticeships is high. Almost nine in ten apprentices (89%) were satisfied, rising to 92% amongst completers.
  • One third of individuals who had finished their apprenticeship had received a promotion (32%), and of those in work, three quarters reported taking on more responsibility in their job (75%).
  • Three quarters (75%) of all former apprentices in work were taking on more responsibility.
  • Eight out of ten apprentices believe that their apprenticeship has improved their ability to do their job, provided them with sector-relevant skills and knowledge, and improved their career prospects.
  • Apprenticeships also equip individuals with the confidence they need to fulfil their aspirations, with almost nine in ten (87%) strongly agreeing that they are more confident about their own abilities as a result of undertaking the apprenticeship.
  • Nearly two thirds (62%) agreed that the course had improved their overall quality of life.
  • A second survey of over 4,000 employers also shows high satisfaction rates among businesses.
  • Key findings include:
  • Satisfaction among employers is high. 88% employers were satisfied (with 69% being very satisfied) with the relevance of the training (just 4% were dissatisfied on this measure).
  • 85% were satisfied (with 66% being very satisfied) with the quality of the training provided by their provider (only 7% were dissatisfied).
  • Nearly half (47%) had already recommended apprenticeships to other employers.
Skills Minister John Hayes said:

“I am delighted by these impressive survey results which show nine out of ten apprentices are satisfied with their training and a third have received a promotion as a result.

“We are succeeding in making apprenticeships a gold standard option for ambitious young people and sending a crystal clear message that technical excellence is as essential and highly valued as academic prowess.

"However, while these survey results are excellent I am relentless in my focus on improving quality and we will use these valuable results to identify areas where more work is needed.”

David Way, Chief Executive of the National Apprenticeship Service, said:

“We are very pleased to see high levels of satisfaction amongst employers and apprentices in these surveys.

“These findings will inform our work as we continue to raise standards and focus on ensuring that all apprenticeships offer a good experience as well as encouraging more young people and employers of all sizes and sectors to engage.”

A third report has also been published. ‘The Employer Investment in Apprenticeships and Workplace Learning’ is the first study into the net financial benefits of training to employers.

The study assesses the amount that employers themselves invest in apprenticeships. This ranges from £39,000 per apprenticeship (level 2 and 3 combined) in engineering to around £3,000-£4,000 in retail or hospitality.

The study also looks at the time it takes for an employer to recoup their investment where the apprentice is a new recruit, which averages at around one to two years.

The earlier this week it was announced that entrepreneur and founder of School for Startups, Doug Richard, is to lead an independent review into the future of apprenticeships for the Government.

The Richard Review of Apprenticeships will look at how to build upon the record success of recent years by:
  • Ensuring that apprenticeships meet the needs of the changing economy
  • Ensuring every apprenticeship delivers high quality training and the qualifications and skills that employers need
  • Maximising the impact of Government investment.
Looking to the future, the review will examine how apprenticeships can continue to best meet the needs of employers, individuals, and the wider economy; which learners and employers can and should benefit most from apprenticeships; and what the core components of a high quality apprenticeship should be.

Mr Richard was selected by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and the Department for Education for his strong reputation in the spheres of both business and business education, enabling him to provide an independent analysis of the future priorities of the Government’s scheme.
Business Secretary Vince Cable said:

“To build a prosperous economy we need a skilled workforce. The apprenticeship programme has been a real success, not only boosting chances for young people, but also helping businesses to address their skills gaps.

"However in the past vocational youngsters have been let down by weak courses and our competitors have stolen a march. I have just come back from a fact finding mission to Germany where two-thirds of young people take some form of apprenticeship by the time they are 25.

"To keep pace it is vital that we build on our initial success and continue to look at how apprenticeships can adapt to meet our future needs in the fast-evolving global economy.

“The Richard Review will do just that, establishing the core principles that will keep apprenticeships relevant to the future needs of individuals, employers and the wider economy. Doug Richard’s experience as a business mentor and setting up his School for Startups make him the perfect candidate to complete this task.”

The review should identify the best of current practice and recommend ways to extend this.

Key questions to be considered include:
  • What should the core components of an apprenticeship be - to meet the needs of employers (large and small), individuals, and the wider economy?
  • Who should apprenticeships be for – which types of learners and employers can benefit most from apprenticeships?
  • Are there elements of apprenticeships which should be simplified or stripped back?
  • Are the qualifications which are undertaken as part of an apprenticeship sufficiently rigorous, and recognised and valued by employers?
  • How should delivery arrangements adequately ensure all that apprenticeships provide significant new learning and acquisition of new skills, rather than the accreditation of existing ones?
  • Are there opportunities to improve the impact and value for money of public investment in apprenticeships?
 The review should report in Autumn 2012.

The Parliamentary Information Office of the Parliamentary Yearbook will continue to report on the progress of the apprenticeships schemes as we go through the months ahead.

Friday 1 June 2012

Feed-In Tariff Scheme For Solar Energy



Earlier this year the Parliamentary Information Office of the Parliamentary Yearbook reported on the Government’s plans for detailed consultations with industry and consumers over the planned changes to the feed-in tariff scheme for solar energy. This will form part of a major feature on environment, sustainable energy and climate change in the next edition

Feed-in tariffs in the United Kingdom were first announced in October 2008 by Ed Miliband, then Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change. He presented details of the scheme, which began in early April 2010.

In March 2011 the coalition government announced that support for large-scale photovoltaic installations (greater than 50 KW) would be cut. This was in response to European speculators lining up to establish huge solar farms in the West Country, which would have absorbed disproportionate amounts of the fund.

On 9 June 2011, the Department for Energy and Climate Change confirmed that Feed-in Tariffs would be cut for solar PV systems above 50 KW after 1st Aug, 2011. Many were disappointed with the decision of DECC, especially after long term consultations. In October 2011 DECC announced dramatic cuts of around 55% to feed in tariff rates, with additional reductions for community or group schemes. The cuts were to be effective from 12 December 2011, with a consultation exercise to end on 23 December 2011. This was successfully challenged in the high court by an application for judicial review, jointly made by the environmental pressure group Friends of the Earth (FoE) and two solar companies - Solarcentury and HomeSun. The judgment, made by Mr Justice Mitting after a two-day court hearing, was hailed as a major victory by green campaigners and the solar industry.

DECC is introducing regulations today to put the Feed-in Tariffs (FITs) scheme on a more predictable, certain and sustainable footing for householders, businesses and the solar industry.

Then in May this year, following detailed consultation with industry and consumers, the Government announced the introduction of a range of changes to the FITs scheme with effect from 1 August to provide better value for money and allow businesses and householders to plan with confidence. This is good news for the industry and for consumers and will ensure that as many people as possible benefit.

The tariff for a small domestic solar installation will be 16p per kilowatt hour, down from 21p, and will be set to decrease on a 3 month basis thereafter, with pauses if the market slows down. All tariffs will continue to be index-linked in line with the Retail Price Index (RPI) and the export tariff will be increased from 3.2p to 4.5p.
The new tariffs should give a return on investment (ROIs) of over 6% for most typical, well-sited installations, and up to 8% for the larger bands.

The industry has been very successful in bringing solar technology costs down swiftly over the last two years and the improved scheme will reflect this trend as well as recognise the increasingly significant place solar PV can now have in local renewable electricity generation.

Energy and Climate Change Minister Greg Barker said: “Today starts a new and exciting chapter for the solar industry. The sector has been through a difficult time, adjusting to the reality of sharply falling costs, but the reforms we are introducing today provide a strong, sustainable foundation for growth for the solar sector.

“We can now look with confidence to a future for solar which will see it go from a small cottage industry, anticipated under the previous scheme, to playing a significant part in Britain's clean energy economy.

“I want to send a very clear message today. UK solar continues to be an attractive proposition for many consumers considering microgeneration technologies and that having placed the subsidy support for this technology on a long-term, sustainable footing, industry can plan for growth with confidence.”

Alan Aldridge, Chairman of the Solar Trade Association said: “We broadly welcome many of the Government’s decisions for how solar PV will be treated in the FITs scheme and wholeheartedly welcome the inclusion of Solar in DECC's updated Renewables Roadmap; this should reassure consumers and solar companies alike that the Government recognises and stands behind a major role for the solar industry.

“Despite the currently slow market, the industry can have some confidence that the new Tariffs are
tight but workable. Householders should be reassured the new Tariffs will provide more attractive returns than can be found elsewhere today. The STA is now keen to work with Government to get this positive message out."


Government sees a bright future for solar here in the UK and expects to reflect the growing role of solar power in the UK’s energy mix in its updated Renewable Energy Roadmap later this year. Uptake by 2020 will however depend on when solar PV becomes viable with little or no subsidy and 22GW by 2020 is an achievable ambition if industry can get its cost down quickly. That is why Government has also launched a solar PV cost reduction taskforce in partnership with industry to help drive down costs down faster while maintaining safety and standards.

DECC is also pleased to welcome plans being brought forward by Cornwall Council and the Building Research Establishment to set up a National Solar Centre in Cornwall.

Energy and Climate Change Minister Greg Barker said: “I am very happy to see a proposal for the creation of a National Solar Centre in Cornwall, led by the Building Research Establishment.”

Cllr Alec Robertson, Leader of Cornwall Council said: “The FITs scheme allowed many people across Cornwall to learn about renewable energy, especially solar power, and Cornwall would welcome the establishment of a new National Solar Centre that will be at the heart of the bright future for PV in the UK. We’re pleased that DECC has announced changes that improve the predictability for the FITs scheme”

This was submitted by the Parliamentary Information Office. For more information visit Parliamentary Information Office.

High Street Renaissance



Earlier this year the Parliamentary Information Office of the Parliamentary Yearbook reported on the Government’s plans for a competition to select 12 towns to become 'Portas Pilots', with the winners benefiting from a share of £1 million to help turn around their "unloved and unused" high streets. Earlier this month the winners of the first round were announced. High Street regeneration will form part of a major feature on communities in the next edition

On 4th February this year, Mary Portas and Local Government Minister Grant Shapps launched the competition to choose 12 towns to become 'Portas Pilots'. Mr Shapps has offered the cash incentive to those towns that come up with the best High Street blueprints in a move that fulfils the first and last recommendations of Mary Portas' High Streets Review, commissioned by the Prime Minister and published before Christmas.

Then on 26th May the 12 winning bids were announced.

Mr Shapps praised the exceptional quality of the winning bids, which will each receive a slice of £1.2 million and a tailored package of support from both the Minister and retail guru Mary Portas.

From Stockport to Margate, successful pilots will be helped to implement their ideas to rejuvenate the town centre, as well as test out the measures in Mary Portas's High Street Review.

The first 12 Portas Pilot towns are:
  • Bedford, Bedfordshire - offering mentoring support for High Street businesses and community use of empty properties.
  • Croydon, Greater London - transforming the riot-stricken area's historic Old Town market into a thriving market, food and cultural quarter.
  • Dartford, Kent - opening up central spaces for use by classes and clubs, from the Scouts to Slimming World and starting a 'school for shopkeepers'.
  • Bedminster, Bristol - putting Bedminster on the map for Street Art and Street Theatre. A bicycle rickshaw service and a review of parking will also tackle the traffic environment.
  • Liskeard, Cornwall - competing against the edge of town supermarket with a vibrant arts scene, guerrilla gardening and yarn bombing to inject fun back into the town centre.
  • Margate, Kent - putting education and enjoyment at the heart of the town centre's transformation with courses, 'job club' services and pop up shops.
  • Market Rasen, Lincolnshire - drawing customers in by restoring the market town look and feel, advertising free parking and mentoring new businesses.
  • Nelson, Lancashire - attracting local students with a young persons cafĂ©, sports activities, and a new art and vintage market.
  • Newbiggin by the Sea, Northumberland - better branding of the town to draw people in, improving local transport and hosting pop up shops.
  • Stockport, Greater Manchester - realising the character and potential of the Markets and Underbanks area with a creative arts complex, outdoor screenings, a new parking strategy and street champions.
  • Stockton on Tees, Teesside - live entertainment at the Globe Theatre to boost the evening leisure economy alongside specialist High Street and evening markets.
  • Wolverhampton, West Midlands - bringing the city will to life with modern day town criers and on-street performers and a 'dragon's den' style competition to support local entrepreneurs.
The competition to become a pilot received an overwhelming response, with over 370 applications from across the country. Mr Shapps said unsuccessful applicants should not despair - the quality of the bids has been so high that he was launching a second round of the competition, which will see 12 additional pilots announced by the end of July. The Greater London Authority are also funding a further 3 which takes the total to 15.

Mr Shapps said there was no need for unsuccessful applicants to reapply, but they could sharpen up their bids if they wished and submit them again by 30 June, which was also the deadline for new town teams to apply.
The Minister said it was clear that Mary Portas's review into the High Street was the "catalyst communities craved" to get together and secure the future of their town centres.

Local Government Minister Grant Shapps said:

"The best local high streets offer more than simply shopping - they are the beating heart of their neighbourhoods: places to meet, work, relax and come together as a community. It's why this competition to become a Portas Pilot has captured the imagination of the nation, with communities across the country uniting to support their high streets.

"The quality and sheer number of applications has been overwhelming - 12 winning bids now have the chance receive expert advice and financial support, but I believe more towns deserve to be selected. So today I can announce a second round of the competition will see 15 more town centres benefit from this unique opportunity. Together these pilots can be the vanguard of a high street revolution, and others can look to their example to kick start a renaissance of our town centres."

Mary Portas said:

"I've been deeply touched by both the quality and creativity of the bids and the momentum Britain's first town teams have generated in just a few short weeks.

"It is now clearer to me than ever that Britain wants its town centres revitalised and the energy and accountability for that needs to rest with the people who live and do business there. My sincere congratulations to everyone who entered."

The 12 new pilots' leading Town Teams will now start work to bring their high street back to life. To help them on the path to success they will receive:
  • a share of £1.2 million to put their winning plans into action
  • dedicated contact point in Government to provide advice and support in identifying and overcoming challenges to local business growth
  • free support from retail industry leaders including Mary Portas's own team and access to a range of sector experts
  • opportunities to meet and discuss with fellow pilots to share their experiences and lessons learned
  • Areas that are unsuccessful will also benefit from the pilots, as the best ideas and solutions will be shared to help struggling high streets across the country.
  • This is alongside a range of other measures announced by the Housing Minister in the response to the Portas High Street review, including:
  • a £1million Future High Street X-Fund for creative and effective schemes to rejuvenate town centres
  • a National Markets Day and Fortnight, to celebrate local markets and offer budding entrepreneurs the chance to test their business ideas; and
  • a £500,000 Business Improvement Districts fund to help town centres access set-up loans
We shall be adding to the article as there are further developments and any changes to the plans will be reflected in the content. The full report will be published in print and online in the next edition of the Parliamentary Yearbook.

This was submitted by the Parliamentary Information Office. For more information visit Parliamentary Information Office.

A Future For British Film



The economic importance of our film industry has long been recognised and the  Parliamentary Information Office of the Parliamentary Yearbook is currently following closely progress in the business for a major feature in the next edition

In May 2011 Lord Smith of Finsbury was asked by the Minister for Culture, Communications and the Creative Industries, Ed Vaizey MP, to lead an eight-strong independent Panel of film industry experts in reviewing the Government’s film policy. The Panel was asked to identify barriers to growth in the British film industry.

The Panel received over 300 online submissions of evidence and met with a comprehensive mix of industry administrators and practitioners from across the UK.  The Review Report “A Future For British Film - It begins with the audience…” was published in January 2012 and was universally welcomed by Government, across industry and by the UK Government’s new lead agency for film, the British Film Institute (BFI).

The Report contains wide ranging recommendations, many of which are for the BFI, some for industry and others for Government, but all of which aim to deliver policies to enable the industry to reach a position of sustained success for British filmmaking.

Publishing the Government’s response to the review earlier this month, Culture Minister Ed Vaizey announced a package of measures to strengthen the UK film industry.

The majority of the review’s recommendations are directed at the BFI, who today also revealed their Future Plan consultation, which sets out how they propose to go about implementing the independent panel’s findings.

Mr Vaizey said:

“The UK film industry is a real success story and I want it to thrive and grow. Economically and culturally British film makes a great contribution and it’s vital that we make the most of the very real opportunity for economic growth it offers.

“Chris Smith’s comprehensive review made practical and innovative recommendations. I’m pleased that Government and industry can sign up to much of this straight away. Along with the BFI, we’re committing to action that will not only drive and encourage investment in British films but will also develop and nurture the next generation of British film makers.”

The review made 56 recommendations to Government, industry and the BFI. Key measures include:

A new funding approach
The review recommended that the BFI introduce a new funding scheme that returns development funding back to companies that achieved box office success, to be reinvested in future films.

The Government fully endorses this approach, which will incentivise and reward success and help build sustainable production companies. To achieve this, the BFI will work with film makers, sales agents and investors to develop these funding mechanisms.

Increased funding for British Film Commission
The British Film Commission (BFC) is central to the drive for international investment in UK film, and in 2011 over £1 billion was invested in the industry from abroad. The panel was clear that a successful international strategy needs an effectively funded BFC.

The input of the BFI, UKTI, the British Council, Film London and other public and private partners will be crucial in working with the BFC to this end.

The Government has today announced that the BFC will enter into a strategic partnership with UKTI and BFI. Along with contributions from industry, this will provide an additional £400,000 to the BFC's budget and provide a huge boost to the global impact of the UK film industry.

Education & Skills
Also recommended in the review is a new approach to film education which brings together making, seeing and learning about film. Led by the BFI, this would be available in every school across the UK, giving easy access to learning materials, resources and information.

Government is committed to creating a new vision for film education and the BFI has already made progress in this area. This recommendation echoes the findings from the recent review of Cultural Education, following which the Department of Education announced a £3 million investment to enable a new unified body for film education to identify and develop young film makers.

Last year, the Government made the BFI the lead body for film in the UK and the review’s recommendations place considerable emphasis on the new role and status of the BFI.

The BFI will lead on implementing the majority of the recommendations, including funding, film export and digital readiness and will work collaboratively with Government, industry and audiences.

Government welcomes the BFI’s Future Plan consultation which sets out how the organisation intends to approach the challenges the review makes and encourages all interested parties to take part and ensure their views are heard.

We shall be adding to the article as there are further developments and any changes to the plans will be reflected in the content. The full report will be published in print and online in the next edition of the Parliamentary Yearbook.
This was submitted by the Parliamentary Information Office. For more information visit Parliamentary Information Office.
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