Member Article Archive
Society 'too academically focused'
Employers, training providers and government must "unite behind one message" when promoting apprenticeships, says Terry Watts of Proskills.
Thursday 10th February 2011
Employers should see apprenticeships as a viable option
Apprenticeships can help build long-term economic growth, says Frances Nicholson, service delivery manager at Skills for Justice.
Wednesday 9th February 2011
Increased religious discrimination in schools
Ahead of the second reading of the Education Bill in the House of Commons, the British Humanist Association voices concern that it will lead to 'increased and entrenched religious discrimination' in the state-maintained school system.
Tuesday 8th February 2011
Out of the sand bucket!
To mark 'Safer Internet Day', Donald Findlater, director of research and development at the Lucy Faithfull Foundation and Stop it Now! details why parents have a vital role to play in child internet safety.
Tuesday 8th February 2011
Apprenticeships 'a cross-party priority'
Graham Hoyle, chief executive of the Association of Learning Providers, praises the coalition's approach to apprenticeships.
Tuesday 8th February 2011
Promoting positive internet use
Following the opening of the UK's very own Safer Internet Centre, we talk to Will Gardner, chief executive of Childnet International, about its activities for ‘Safer Internet Day'
Tuesday 8th February 2011
'Now is the time to champion diverse employment'
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) marks national apprenticeship week by emphasising the benefits of apprenticeships in the workplace
Monday 7th February 2011
Focus on 'high-quality' apprenticeships
The coalition's vision of expanding the number of apprenticeships at an advanced level must be supported, says a former WorldSkills gold medallist.
Monday 7th February 2011
The greenest government ever?
The Woodland Trust offers its review of the Opposition day debate on the public forest estate.
Thursday 3rd February 2011
Pickles calls for 'sensible use of public money'
More effective public services can be provided through efficient use of local government buildings, the communities secretary has said.
Thursday 3rd February 2011
Forestry debate needs 'strong focus' on ancient woodland
The Woodland Trust has urged the government to treat ancient woodland as a "special case", ahead of an Opposition day debate on the public forest estate.
Wednesday 2nd February 2011
'The law is a mess'
In a frank interview with ePolitix.com, James Harris, head of campaigns and communications at Dignity in Dying, outlines why a change in the law on assisted dying is necessary.
Wednesday 2nd February 2011
Union criticises Health Bill
The Health and Social Care Bill will "change the very nature of the NHS", a parliamentary briefing has been told.
Monday 31st January 2011
'A mixed picture'
Richard Lim, the British Retail Consortium's economist, talks about the latest set of Retail Employment Monitor data, and the challenges ahead for the retail sector in 2011
Thursday 27th January 2011
Business and the natural environment
Minister for the natural environment, Richard Benyon has said the government is unable to offer assurances about the future of the Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund (ALSF).
Thursday 27th January 2011
Funding for the arts 'left hanging'
The Visual Arts and Galleries Association bemoan the "scant reassurance" given by government over the funding of the National Museums and Galleries.
Wednesday 26th January 2011
Government must support Post Office
Billy Hayes of the Communication Workers Union raises concerns about the Postal Services Bill, in response to a Westminster Hall debate on the implications of Royal Mail privatisation.
Tuesday 18th January 2011
Government urged to take eye health seriously
John Baron MP has urged the government to address the public health challenge of reducing avoidable sight loss.
Tuesday 18th January 2011
Localism Bill 'vital' for environment
The Woodland Trust urges the government to use the Localism Bill as "a mechanism to empower local authorities" in protecting the natural world.
Tuesday 18th January 2011
Breast cancer patients share their views on health reform
Co-chair of the APPG on breast cancer Annette Brooke MP talks to ePolitix.com about the work of the APPG in gathering breast cancer patients' perspectives on NHS reform and the Health Bill
Tuesday 18th January 2011
A clear way forward in academic assessment
The importance of academic assessment has been discussed at the parliamentary launch of a report into accountability in schools.
Thursday 13th January 2011
Work Programme provides 'an important opportunity'
Graham Hoyle OBE, chief executive of the Association of Learning Providers, discusses the potential pitfalls of the government's new welfare-to-work programme.
Wednesday 12th January 2011
Government must adopt 'strategic role' in skills
LSN has claimed that the UK economy could falter as a result of the lack of new skills needed to meet demand in growth sectors.
Thursday 6th January 2011
Hectic 2010 for animal medicines industry
The National Office of Animal Health looks back at an eventful 2010.
Thursday 30th December 2010
Coalition 'open to customer service'
Customer service and skills are receiving increasing recognition from the coalition government, according to Jo Causon of the Institute of Customer Service.
Wednesday 29th December 2010
A busy year for countryside campaigners
The Campaign to Protect Rural England looks back over the policy decisions that have affected its work in 2010.
Tuesday 28th December 2010
Public health white paper offers a clear vision
David Kidney, head of policy at the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, discusses November's public health white paper and looks forward to the Institute's consultation response in 2011.
Monday 27th December 2010
2010 was a difficult year for the timber industry
Ministers are unaware of the impact biomass subsidies are having on existing timber manufacturing, says John Dye, president of the Timber Packaging & Pallet Confederation (TIMCON).
Thursday 23rd December 2010
Coalition has the opportunity to tackle obesity head-on
With a huge shake-up of the NHS and a focus on public health, MEND is looking forward to 2011.
Wednesday 22nd December 2010
'2010 – Oh, what a year!'
Launching a manifesto, ensuring departments' strategies are 'homeless proof', and ultimately protecting frontline services for the vulnerable, Homeless Link has had a busy 2010.
Tuesday 21st December 2010
'Avoid and reduce regulations in 2011'
There is nervousness about what lies ahead for the retail sector in 2011, says British Retail Consortium director general Stephen Robertson.
Monday 20th December 2010
'Social care sector cannot afford to be pessimistic'
Cuts to welfare and local authority budgets will make 2011 a difficult year for the social care sector, but they can't afford to be pessimistic, says Su Sayer, chief executive of United Response.
Friday 17th December 2010
Westminster celebrates academic excellence
Young people's educational accomplishments have been celebrated at an awards ceremony in Westminster.
Friday 17th December 2010
Timber frame: supporting the drive for zero-carbon homes
Reflecting on 2010 and looking forward to 2011, the UKTFA demonstrates the environmental credentials of timber frame construction
Thursday 16th December 2010
Lack of support for energy efficiency
Consumers need more government-led support and incentives to make their homes energy-efficient, says Nigel Rees, chief executive and national secretary of the Glass and Glazing Federation.
Thursday 16th December 2010
Is charitable giving the answer to the City's tarnished reputation?
Hannah Terrey, head of policy and public affairs at the Charities Aid Foundation, writes in support of Hazel Blears' ten-minute rule bill encouraging banks to bring about the 'Big Society'
Wednesday 15th December 2010
A champion for 'chugging'
The Public Fundraising Regulatory Association (PFRA) has this month re-launched its ePolitix.com microsite as it redoubles its efforts to lobby parliamentarians during a year that could be a turning point for the charity sector.
Monday 13th December 2010
A model service for the health white paper
Community eye-care services that work in partnership with the NHS, making best use of available resources, can do much to achieve the coalition government's community-focused healthcare objectives, outlined in the health white paper.
Monday 13th December 2010
Keeping the Post Office public
The general secretary of the Communication Workers Union, Billy Hayes, outlines the union's concerns about the Postal Services Bill.
Tuesday 7th December 2010
A preventative approach to child sexual abuse
A new report reveals the success of early-intervention measures in helping to prevent child sexual abuse.
Tuesday 7th December 2010
Arts groups 'unable to realise potential'
Ahead of the culture, media and sport committee inquiry into funding of the arts, VAGA claim budget cuts will result in "unprecedented cultural loss."
Tuesday 7th December 2010
An avid champion of children
Baroness Lucy Faithfull of Wolvercote OBE was a Conservative peer, but much more than that she was an avid campaigner for children's rights, up to the time of her death in 1996.
Friday 3rd December 2010
Encouraged by government's commitment to public health
MEND looks at the different proposals put forward in the public health white paper
Thursday 2nd December 2010
Sustainable homes gain political support
An innovative home-building scheme aimed at increasing healthy living and sustainability has been discussed in Parliament.
Thursday 2nd December 2010
Bailout or no bailout, countries will leave the euro
Huge levels of sovereign debt and over-zealous fiscal measures prescribed by the IMF will lead to at least one member of the euro defaulting on its national debt within the next three years, according to a new report.
Thursday 2nd December 2010
Excessive regulation burdening industry
MPs have been told to "reduce the bureaucracy" that manufacturers encounter on a daily basis.
Wednesday 1st December 2010
Government must promote UK manufacturing
The government has been urged to provide more encouragement to entrepreneurs seeking to found manufacturing businesses.
Wednesday 1st December 2010
Parliament celebrates vocational skills
Young people selected to train for an international skills competition have had their achievements recognised in Parliament.
Thursday 25th November 2010
Children tell it like it is
Parliament was awash with children and young people from around the country on Monday night as they descended on the Members’ Dining Room for the annual MEND reception.
Wednesday 24th November 2010
Immigration loophole
Ahead of the home secretary's announcement on the immigration cap, the Forum of Private Business demonstrate the impact this will have on SMEs.
Tuesday 23rd November 2010
Good governance 'rooted in Commonwealth values'
An international parliamentary seminar has been informed of the important role of the Commonwealth in promoting good governance.
Tuesday 23rd November 2010
Better communication is key to engaging voters
Responding to Nick Clegg's announced plans to increase levels of electoral registration, Su Sayer, chief executive of United Response, asks why people with learning disabilities were not included in the list of the disenfranchised.
Friday 19th November 2010
Examining international justice
The interaction between national sovereignty and international courts has been discussed at a session of the 5th International Parliamentary Governance seminar, hosted by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association's UK branch.
Friday 19th November 2010
Safeguard services for the vulnerable
Matthew Downie, head of parliamentary and public affairs at Action for Children demonstrates why systemic policy change is needed to ensure early intervention services are put on a sustainable footing for the future.
Wednesday 17th November 2010
Vocational education should be 'effective and flexible'
John Stone, the chief executive of LSN, has described the government's Wolf review as "a genuine opportunity" to focus on vocational education.
Wednesday 17th November 2010
Third-biggest killer worldwide by 2030
Dame Helena Shovelton, chief executive of the British Lung Foundation, is using world COPD day to raise awareness of the debilitating, chronic, ongoing and long-term disease.
Wednesday 17th November 2010
Citizenship education – important for Big Society aspirations
Andy Thornton, chief executive of the Citizenship Foundation, explains to ePolitix.com why citizenship education should remain firmly on the national curriculum.
Tuesday 16th November 2010
Immigration cap causes concern for scientists
At a gathering of the science community on Friday, Julian Huppert MP described the government's refusal to exempt scientists from the immigration cap as "perverse".
Monday 15th November 2010
Scientific research provides value for money
ePolitix.com speaks to Derek Jones, ceo of Babraham Bioscience Technologies, and Michael Wakelam, director of the Babraham Institute, at the Institute's Bioenterprise Lecture 2010.
Monday 15th November 2010
'A regulatory pendulum swing too far'
ePolitix.com speaks to Michael Coogan, director general of the Council of Mortgage Lenders, about the Financial Services Authority's (FSA) responsible lending proposals, and the effect they will have on the mortgage market.
Monday 15th November 2010
Vets offer expertise to Parliament
The role of the veterinary profession as a 'resource' for parliamentarians has been promoted at a House of Commons reception.
Thursday 11th November 2010
'First port of call' for politicians
Harvey Locke, president of the British Veterinary Association, speaks to ePolitix.com about political engagement and tuition fees.
Thursday 11th November 2010
Conservation at 'heart' of government policy
Representatives from the conservation and forestry industries have been told they are at the forefront of the Big Society.
Wednesday 10th November 2010
'Political will' needed for woodland creation
James Cooper, head of government affairs at the Woodland Trust, speaks to ePolitix.com about the Trust's forthcoming parliamentary reception and recent political developments.
Tuesday 9th November 2010