Parliamentary Information Office, Parliamentary Yearbook 2011-2012

Sunday, 27 January 2013

New York Mayor Bloomberg endorses Barack Obama

This is not surprising. Bloomberg loves taxes and so does NObama, so they are clearly on the same page. I would not be surprised to see an ADSCAM like scandal that shows Bloomberg getting kickbacks for his endorsement. I will be strongly supporting Mitt Romney so that he can get 47% of the country off of welfare. C4L
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Since we aren't privy to all the internal White House conversations it would be naive and foolish to suggest Bush sat and did nothing. No one has faced both these crisis in their terms before. Obama, with the benefit of Bush's experience can now look like the knight in shining armour and not make the same public moves. Remember, its an election in a few days and his advisors are well aware of it.

Both politicians know best. Examples of micro-managing your behaviour goes to your daily consumption of pop. More than 16 ounces of pop daily, you pay a special tax. Both politicians are elitists, and very wealthy.

Try reading the story next time before you post such odd comments."Bloomberg endorsed Republican president George W. Bush’s re-election in 2004."He them emdorsed no one in 2008 and is now behind Obama after his efforts in New York here in 2012. So he has supported both parties and abstained, so it appeas his opinion is signifigant and worth earning. Obama did a good job and its killing the right.

About time more Americans realized that they have a President who knows what his job is, and is doing his job. Unlike Bush who sat for days during Katrina, because he couldn't figure out what his job was, just like he sat in that kindergarten classroom, confused about what to do on 9/11. Obama knows how to handle a crisis.

Who needs that narrow minded, only for the rich yahoo anyway? The only ones he'll cater to will be the rich and throw the US back into another war they can't afford. The Republicans need to crawl back into the hole they came from.

Michael had to buy his way into office speding $185 per vote last time around. At the time it was the most any politicain had ever spent anywhere to get re-elected. He has no popular support and has to rely on manipulating people who ote on the basis of name recogniton only - which you can buy with money in a large city.

"climate change is a threat to our children’s future, and we owe it to them to do something about it,” Obama said. - REALLY? then why did Obama not make climate change a campaign issue - an Obama lapdog was grilled on this subject by a BBC (British...) interviewer today...and he twisted and danced with all kinds of rationalizations

HonestyTO --
Unless continuous lying is a positive attribute why would a person vote for Romney.
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DID OBAMA LIE WHEN he said that guantanamo was going to close down? Or when he said ... - Obama's famous words (not a lie?) - …" then I am absolutely certain that generations from now … this was the moment when the rise of the oceans began to slow and our planet began to heal…"

New York will go democrat no matter what and Bloomberg has very little influence in other states so who care what he thinks.

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The market can’t deliver growth alone

The US, our European cousins, the BRICs – they certainly don’t practise it" -- getting government off our backs, that is. Look where it has got those countries. So, that disposes of Heseltine's argument. As for his suggestion of a " National Growth Council chaired by the Prime Minister", it would be laughable if it were not so crass. The country is already suffering from the fact that neither Cameron nor Osborne, and certainly not Cable, has a vestige of an idea of how business works, and how economies can grow. How does his plan differ from those failed national plans of Wilson and (George) Brown all those years ago, of incomes policies and nationalisation? As for " inviting local business partnerships to bid for significant funding from central government on a competitive basis every five years to build local economic growth": what's that all about? When did central government ever have a clue in this area? We've tried the corporate state, the "partnership" of CBI, TUC and government in the past, mercifully swept away by the Thatcher government of which Heseltine was once an enthusiastic member -- until he went native and fell in love with the EU, "our European cousins". Heseltine has the nerve to cite Joseph Chamberlain in the context of his plan. Cameron and Osborne would do better to follow his example than listen to the advice of has-been Heseltine, as the DT says, " a former deputy prime minister ". His advice is about as useful as any that might have come from the current deputy PM, or indeed from his predecessor, John Prescott. No, my Lord, it is not more government that is needed, it is less.

I'm surprised that anybody should pay any attention to tired old Tarzan. He was a total failure in government, and was responsible for wasting millions on daft government schemes that served no purpose but to keep an army of bureaucrats employed.

Can't you just imagine the national Growth Council he proposes. It will be stuffed to the gunnnals with has-been politicos like Heseltine, and establishment business men like that other serial failure, Adair Turner.

They will then employ a core bureaucracy that will set about making the rules under which taxpayer's money can be handed over to their chosen few, and that core will then hire more officials to implement their rules. The result will be precisely nothing at great expense - as has been just about all other government initiatives on picking winners since 1945.

The government fails at what it should be doing: ensuring good education, building a first class infrastructure, creating a simple, fair and low tax base etc.=, and anybody who thinks that more government is the answer is just plain daft

Forget Tarzan.

The same gut who completely mismanaged HSBC for 10 years all the way to bankruptcy, (and needed a £3 billion, bail out from AIG,) and laundered at least £9 billion lion in drug money alone and which has now been implicated in LIBOR fixing as well, is now Minister for Trade and Investment.

Now that's what I call a real entrepreneur.

Unfortunately so does David Cameron, which says it all really.

Another bunch of unmitigated rubbish. Ordinary people create wealth almost exclusively outside of government. Government should simply provide the framework in which they can operate (the problem is it doesn't just do that and when it does, it does it pretty badly).

The most dynamic economies in the world have low taxation, low government regulation and low government spending. The most sclerotic economies have the opposite.

If government spending, regulation and interference is a recipe for success then why isn't the EU the most prosperous and dynamic economic area in the world ? Answers on a postcard Mr.H please.

ps: I would love to ask James Dyson, Richard Branson, Alan Sugar, Charles Dunstone, Anita Roddick, Martin Sorrell, Harvey Goldsmith etc etc etc. how much input a Local Business Partnership or their nearest Chamber of Commerce had on building their success. My guess would be absolutely bugger all.

Parliamentary Information Office and Microblogging

Need to Know Parliament Information

Job: Public Information Officer (Deputy Spokesperson)

Job Title
Public Information Officer (Deputy Spokesperson), P4
Department/ Office
Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
Duty Station
NEW YORK
Posting Period
20 September 2012-19 November 2012
Job Opening number
12-PUB-OCHA-24198-R-NEW YORK (X)
United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity
Organizational Setting and Reporting
The position is located in the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). The incumbent reports to the Spokesperson and to the Chief of Communications and Information Services Branch (CISB).
Responsibilities
Within delegated authority the Deputy Spokesperson will be responsible for:
Serves as deputy spokesperson for the Under-Secretary-General and OCHA as a whole;
Takes the lead in strategy, planning, development and implementation of large, complex communications campaigns (e.g. global promotion initiatives, public information programmes for a region, broad-reaching subject specific issues, etc.)
Provides advice and expertise to managers, senior officers and other public information staff on a range of public affairs issues, methods, and approaches; anticipates and resolves communications/public relations issues/problems.
Develops strategic partnerships with key constituencies to elicit support for and maximize impact of promotional objectives; serves as a deputy spokesperson/principal liaison to media organizations, governmental bodies, national groups, private sector organizations, educational organizations, international organizations, etc.
Prepares or oversee preparation of a diverse range of information communications products in support of major campaign initiatives.
Drafts complex material for UN newsletters, periodicals, reports and books and edits drafts prepared by junior officers.
Evaluates results and impact of communications activities; reports on developments, trends and attitudes regarding the UN.
Represents the institution in meetings and conferences; fulfills speaking engagements and makes presentations to groups on UN activities and advocate issues of concern; organizes media coverage and arranges for media contacts, briefings, interviews; organizes seminars, lectures, conferences, public events on major issues and events concerning the organization.
Builds information networks ; plans and oversees maintenance of publicly accessible information materials on the United Nations; plans and develops outreach activities.
Assists in the day-to-day operation of the unit to include participating in coordination of substantive and administrative activities of the unit, interpreting and disseminating policy, providing procedural advice, improving reporting systems, handling operational and administrative queries, preparing budget submissions, establishing and/or coordinating training programmes and monitoring and evaluating results.
May coordinate and direct a team of public information staff and/or mentor and supervise the work of junior officers on specific projects.
Competencies
PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of different aspects of public information and communication. Ability to address a range of issues in the context of political developments, public attitudes and local conditions. Ability to conceptualize, design and implement major information campaigns. Ability to rapidly analyze and integrate diverse information from varied sources. Ability to diplomatically handle sensitive situations with target audiences and cultivate productive relationships. Ability to produce a variety of written communications products in a clear, concise style. Ability to deliver oral presentations to various audiences. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.
COMMUNICATION: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
PLANNING AND ORGANIZING: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.
Education
Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in communication, journalism, international relations, public administration or related field. A first-level university degree in combination with additional two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Work Experience
A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in public information , journalism, international relations, public administration or related area. Previous work experience in a spokesperson or deputy spokesperson capacity is required, at least three (3) years experience within the United Nations system is an advantage. Experience in writing speeches for senior or high-level officials is required. Humanitarian affairs experience is desirable. Qualifying years of experience are calculated following the receipt of the first level university degree recognised by the United Nations.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the UN Secretariat. For this position, fluency in English (both oral and written) is required. Working knowledge of French is desirable. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.
Assessment Method
Evaluation of qualified applicants may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by a competency-based interview.
Special Notice
Funding for this post is available for a minimum of one year.
Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff is expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers In accordance with established rules.
United Nations Considerations
The United Nations shall place no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. (Charter of the United Nations - Chapter 3, article 8). The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.
No Fee
THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS' BANK ACCOUNTS.

SELECT COMMITTEE REPORT – PROTECTING THE ARCTIC

SELECT COMMITTEE REPORT – PROTECTING THE ARCTIC

The Parliamentary Information Office is currently gathering news items for major features on sustainable energy and climate change in the next edition and will be monitoring progress following the Rio+20 conference “towards a greener future”

In June United Nations senior officials highlighted the achievements made during the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) held from 20th to 22nd June in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, stressing that they represent a global movement of change in which governments, the private sector and civil society all contribute to achieve global prosperity while protecting the environment.

The Environmental Audit Committee has today published the report of its inquiry into Protecting the Arctic.

In a report on Protecting the Arctic, published last week, the Parliamentary Environmental Audit Committee calls for a halt on oil drilling until:

· A pan-Arctic oil spill response standard is in place

· A stricter financial liability regime for oil and gas operations is introduced that requires companies to prove that they can meet the costs of cleaning up

· An oil and gas industry group is set up to peer-review companies' spill response plans and operating practices, reporting publicly

· Further independent research and testing on oil spill response techniques in Arctic conditions is conducted, including an assessment of their environmental side-effects

· An internationally recognised environmental sanctuary is established in at least part of the Arctic

Chair of the Committee, Joan Walley MP, said:

"The oil companies should come clean and admit that dealing with an oil spill in the icy extremes of the Arctic would be exceptionally difficult.

“The infrastructure to mount a big clean-up operation is simply not in place and conventional oil spill response techniques have not been proven to work in such severe conditions.

“Drilling is only currently feasible in the Arctic during a short summer window when it is relatively ice-free.

“We heard compelling evidence that if a blow-out occurred just before the dark Arctic winter returned it may not be possible to cap it until the following summer - potentially leaving oil spewing out under the ice for six months or more with devastating consequences for wildlife"

The report also looks at the effect that climate change is having on the Arctic. It warns that a collapse in summer Arctic sea-ice, increased methane emissions from thawing permafrost, melting of the Greenland ice-sheet and changes to the thermo-haline circulation could all have disastrous consequences for the world - pushing up sea levels and transforming weather patterns.

Temperature rises in the Arctic are already affecting the UK's weather, according to evidence submitted to the inquiry. The UK is warming more slowly when compared with the rest of continental Europe, as the decrease in the thermo-haline circulation means that less heat is being brought to Britain by the Gulf Stream.

Ms Walley, added:

"The shocking speed at which the Arctic sea ice is melting should be a wake-up call to the world that we need to phase out fossil fuels fast.

“Instead we are witnessing a reckless gold rush in this pristine wilderness as big companies and governments make a grab for the world's last untapped oil and gas reserves."

The report points out that there are already more proven fossil fuel reserves in the world, than can be burnt safely if we want to keep global temperature rises below dangerous thresholds. The MPs accuse the Government of failing to demonstrate how future oil and gas extraction from the Arctic can be reconciled to commitments to limit the overall temperature increase to 2oC. And they call on it to rethink its approach to combating climate change by tackling the supply of fossil fuels, as well as demand.

Caroline Lucas MP, a member of the Committee, said:

"This hard hitting, cross party report comes at a time when the race to carve up the Arctic is accelerating faster than our regulatory or technical capacity to manage it.

“The Arctic oil rush is bringing unprecedented risks to the area, and it’s now clear that the consequences of any potential oil spill would be catastrophic.

“The UK government now has a responsibility to respond to this EAC report and show vital leadership on the issue by doing all it can to urgently secure a moratorium on Arctic drilling – starting with companies registered in this country."

Ms Walley concluded:

"Concerns over climate change should be recognised internationally as a limiting factor on any new oil and gas drilling in the Arctic."

The Parliamentary Information Office will continue to report on environmental issues and their impact on the UK as we go through the months ahead.

EU/CHINA LOW ENVIRONMENT CO-OPERATION

EU/CHINA LOW ENVIRONMENT CO-OPERATION

The Parliamentary Information Office reported last month on the report from the Parliamentary Energy and Climate Change Select Committee urging the Government to increase its assistance to China on low carbon development and has been following closely progress towards EU/China co-operation.

The People's Republic of China is the fastest growing economy in the world and by 2030 could account for half of the world's CO2 emissions. It has recently set out ambitious plans to reduce the carbon intensity of its economy, boost green energy, draft a new climate law and introduce carbon trading. The Select Committee Report says that this is the ideal time for the UK to work together with China; both to prepare the ground for a future international agreement on climate change – which will not be possible without Chinese engagement - and also to secure potential opportunities for British businesses in China's burgeoning markets for low-carbon technologies (currently worth around £430 billion).

And last week European Commissioner for Development, Andris Piebalgs, and Chen Deming, Minister of Commerce of the Republic of China, signed a financing agreement promoting the environment, transition towards a low-carbon economy and a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in China.

Development Commissioner, Andris Piebalgs, said:

"Today's agreement with China is a concrete example of how we can work in partnership to tackle global and shared challenges. We commend China's commitments and we'll support their efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions; to make cities cleaner and to better manage water, waste and heavy metal pollution. The EU has a solid experience in the fight against climate change and the path towards a green economy that we're happy to share. The results of these projects will benefit all of us and contribute to our common objective: a sustainable development of the planet."

Climate Action Commissioner, Connie Hedegaard, said:

"Today's agreement is an important step for an ever closer cooperation towards a robust international carbon market. Needless to say that it makes a significant difference when now also China wants to use carbon markets to reduce emissions cost-effectively and boost low-carbon technologies. Our joint commitment to carbon markets shows the potential and benefits of smart climate policies. This is a huge opportunity to modernise our economies, stimulate growth and create jobs in new dynamic industries with innovative technologies and clean energy".

The EU will help China in meeting its environmental, energy- and carbon-intensity targets and in the long run, contribute towards achieving a global reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. The EU support will result - through pilot projects - in providing technical assistance, training and fostering exchanges of experience, best practice and know-how in areas like the low-carbon economy and the green economy. The three projects -for which the EU contribution amounts to €25 million- will be implemented over a period of 4 years and focus on areas like water, waste and heavy metal pollution, emission trading system (ETS) and sustainable urbanisation.

Details of the projects

• The first project is to support the Design and Implementation of Emissions Trading Systems in China, set up in order to assist China in its efforts to meet its emission reduction targets and boost low carbon development; designing and implementing successful emissions trading pilot programmes that lead over time to effective, nation-wide action.

• The second project is to assist Chinese cities in adopting energy and resource- efficient ecological solutions by sharing experiences on sustainable urbanisation and other relevant policies between Europe and China. One of the key results of the project will be the setting-up of an ICT-based knowledge platform to encourage continued sharing and dissemination of knowledge and information, including best practice and case studies, as well as to facilitate networking and cooperation between key Chinese and European urban institutional and civil society actors, especially at the local level.

• The third project aims to encourage the Chinese authorities in their efforts to achieve environmental sustainability by reducing water and heavy metal pollution and implementing sustainable waste treatment policies.

The Parliamentary Information Office will continue to report on environmental issues and their impact on the UK as we go through the months ahead.

BLUE GROWTH … SUSTAINABLE GROWTH FROM THE MARITIME SECTOR

BLUE GROWTH … SUSTAINABLE GROWTH FROM THE MARITIME SECTOR

The Parliamentary Yearbook, in recognition of the importance to the economy of our maritime industry, is currently gathering news items for major features on our marine sector in the next edition

To make it through the current economic crisis, Europe needs the contribution of all sectors of its economy.

In a Communication on 'Blue Growth' adopted earlier this month, the European Commission presents promising indications for economic growth and employment prospects in the marine and maritime economy to help Europe's economic recovery.

These economic sectors provide jobs for 5.4 million people and contribute a total gross value added of around 500 billion euros. By 2020, these should increase to 7 million and nearly 600 billion euros respectively. To realise this potential, the Commission establishes that obstacles hindering growth have to be removed and smart solutions to boost new sectors need to be implemented.

By promoting marine research and innovation, by supporting innovative SMEs, by addressing skills needs and by encouraging innovative products and solutions, Europe can unlock the untapped potential for growth in its blue economy while safeguarding biodiversity and protecting the environment. Traditional sectors such as maritime transport and maritime and coastal tourism will gain in competitiveness. Growing and emerging sectors, such as ocean renewable energy and blue biotechnology, can become a key to creating more jobs, cleaner energy, and more products and services.

The Communication launches a process which will place the blue economy firmly on the agenda of Member States, regions, enterprise and civil society. It describes how Member States and EU policies are already supporting the blue economy. It then identifies five specific areas with a particular potential for growth where targeted action could provide an additional stimulus:

· maritime, coastal and cruise tourism

· blue energy

· marine mineral resources

· aquaculture

· blue biotechnology.

A set of Commission initiatives will be launched in the near future to explore and develop the growth potential in these areas, including Communications on coastal and maritime tourism, ocean energy, blue biotechnology and marine mineral mining, as well as strategic guidelines on aquaculture. All initiatives will be undertaken in consultation with Member states and relevant stakeholders.

Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Maria Damanaki, said:

“All parts of Europe's economy are essential in lifting us through this difficult period. The 'blue economy' presents opportunities for sustainable economic growth both in established and emerging marine and maritime sectors. Innovation, enterprise and dynamism characterise these sectors of Europe's economy. Blue Growth is about getting everybody – starting from the institutions and Member States, to regions and SMEs – to work towards ensuring that we overcome existing challenges to ensure the most productive and sustainable use of what our seas and coasts offer."

Blue Growth is the contribution of the EU's Integrated Maritime Policy to achieving the goals of the Europe 2020 strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth.

Based on its Blue Growth Study, the Commission has built a comprehensive picture of the economic size and employment of marine and maritime sectors in Europe, and has also looked at where these sectors could realistically be heading in the coming years and where there is a particular potential for innovation and new jobs.

The study found that coastal and maritime tourism is the biggest maritime sector in terms of gross value added and employment and is expected to grow by 2 to 3% by 2020, while cruise tourism is expected to create 100,000 new jobs by 2020 compared to 2010. As the worldwide ocean energy installed capacity is expected to double yearly in the near future, the commercialisation of wave and tidal technologies will be enhanced through a reduction in technology costs. According to estimates, the global annual turnover of marine mineral mining is expected to grow from virtually nothing to €5 billion in the next 10 years and up to €10 billion by 2030. EU aquaculture could contribute to a healthy diet if the growth rate outside the EU could be matched. In the next decade or so, the blue biotechnology sector should become a provider of mass product markets, including cosmetics, food products, pharmaceutics, chemicals and biofuels.

The Blue Growth communication will feature as one of the main issues for discussion during the Cyprus Ministerial Conference on the Integrated Maritime Policy being held in Limassol on 8 October 2012.

Progress report on the Integrated Maritime Policy

In a separate report, the Commission takes stock of progress in implementing the 2007 Integrated Maritime Policy and lists all Commission initiatives taken to support sustainable maritime growth. Since its creation, the Integrated Maritime Policy seeks to enhance the sustainable development of the European maritime economy by facilitating the cooperation of all maritime players across sectors and across borders.

The Parliamentary Yearbook will continue to report on environmental issues and their impact on the UK as we go through the months ahead.

BUSINESS CONTINUITY GUIDE by Parliamentary Yearbook

BUSINESS CONTINUITY GUIDE

Earlier this month the Parliamentary Yearbook reported on the launch of “Cyber Security for Business” an event targeting the most senior levels in the UK’s largest companies highlighting the threat posed to their activities by cyber crime. This will form part of a larger feature in the next edition on this and other aspects of business continuity.

The Cabinet Office, in partnership with the Business Continuity Institute and Emergency Planning Society has worked to produce the new ‘Business Continuity for Dummies’, an essential ‘survival’ guide for small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs).

The Government's aim is to reduce the risk from emergencies so that people can go about their business freely and with confidence.

As part of its ongoing work, the Cabinet Office engages with central, local and regional partners to prepare for emergencies and to coordinate the central government response to major disruptive challenges.

The Civil Contingencies Secretariat sits within the Cabinet Office at the heart of central government working in partnership with government departments, the devolved administrations and key stakeholders to enhance the UK's ability to prepare for, respond to and recover from emergencies.

Launching the new publication, Minister for Political and Constitutional Reform, Chloe Smith MP said:

“The resilience of SMEs matters. SMEs are the life-blood of the economy, providing employment and growth, and critical services and products to larger companies. They’re also vital in supporting their local communities cope with disasters. The quicker they can be up and running again after problems hit, the quicker whole communities can recover.”

Written with SMEs in mind, the guide acknowledges that smaller businesses just do not have the money, time and resources to prepare for disruptions, yet the cost of dealing with them when they do arise can be significant.

The guide provides simple, and for the most part inexpensive, ‘how to’ measures to deal with difficulties ranging from being let down by one of your key suppliers all the way through to major disruptions caused by challenges such as flooding, severe weather and a pandemic influenza outbreak.

Minister of State for Business and Enterprise, Rt. Hon. Michael Fallon MP, said:

“Business Continuity for Dummies brings together the wealth of experience within Government in support of business continuity planning in SMEs. Working with business, this book takes an innovative approach to reaching out to the 5 million SMEs in this country to build the resilience of our communities and our economy. This Government is committed to supporting SMEs and this book builds on and supports the work taking place to ensure the survival and growth of our SMEs.”

In collaboration with the Business Continuity Institute (BCI) and the Emergency Planning Society (EPS), tens of other organisations representing or supporting SMEs have come together for the first time in this way, to support and help protect the health of our SMEs.

Jim Haywood, Executive Director, Business Emergency Recovery Group, said:

“Business in the Community (BITC) has been pleased to be involved in the development of this important Guide. Through the Business Emergency Recovery Group, an initiative of HRH The Prince of Wales and convened by BITC, Business in the Community aims to support smaller businesses and local communities in getting back on their feet after an emergency. But prevention is always better than cure - planning ahead and building in resilience is what responsible and successful businesses do. This Guide will be an enormous help with that.”

SMEs often suffer disproportionately from disruptions of all kinds, including bigger emergencies, because many haven’t realised the impact to their business and their wider markets from disruption. Understanding the importance of continuity and getting it right, early, can see competitive advantages and in some areas, lower premiums to pay.

Simple, practical, and low cost steps are outlined that companies can take to make sure they stand up to disruptions. Based on simple things SMEs can do to understand their key processes and vulnerabilities, these can include:

· getting a good understanding of the risks their business faces, and the consequences if these events happen

· ensuring business continuity plans match the business, fitting in with what the company does, its size, its resources, where it is based, and how it works

· making sure that everyone gets involved, at all levels, so they all buy into the idea of business continuity, know what their role would be, and how disruption would affect those outside the organisation too

Further news on business continuity will be covered by the Parliamentary Yearbook and there will be a major feature on the topic in the next edition

Web: www.parliamentaryyearbook .co .uk

Email: parliamentaryyearbook@blakemedia.org

28th September 2012

PLUG-IN VEHICLES by Parliamentary Yearbook

PLUG-IN VEHICLES

The Parliamentary Yearbook is currently gathering news items for major features on sustainable energy and climate change in the next edition and has been monitoring progress on the Government’s drive to support the uptake of ultra low carbon vehicles

Launching a new report last week from the Transport Select Committee on the Government's plug-in vehicle strategy, Louise Ellman MP, Committee Chair, warned that Consumer demand for plug-in vehicles remains very low and the Government grant to encourage demand may not be proving effective.

Over 90% of the UK’s domestic transport emissions come from road transport. Low carbon vehicles offer a potential means by which road transport can be decarbonised. The Government expects to see tens of thousands of plug-in vehicles on the roads by 2015 as part of its Plug-In Vehicle Infrastructure Strategy. The Committee inquired into the potential for plug-in vehicles to contribute to decarbonising transport and Government action to facilitate this.

In December last year Norman Baker MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Department for Transport, announcing funding for plug-in vehicles, said

“Biofuels are though just one part of a wider strategy to encourage growth and cut carbon. For example, we are also committed to supporting the uptake of ultra low carbon vehicles in the United Kingdom.

“£400m has been made available for consumer incentives to purchase plug-in vehicles, a program to support recharging infrastructure and targeted research, development and demonstration projects.

“In June, we published a comprehensive electric vehicle recharging infrastructure strategy that sets out how we are ensuring that plug-in vehicles are an attractive choice for the motorist, how we are making it easier for individuals to charge their vehicles and making it easier for the both the private and public sector to provide recharging infrastructure by removing regulatory barriers.”

However, Louise Ellman MP, Chair of the Transport Select Committee now warns:

"The Government must do more to show that its plug-in vehicle strategy is a good use of public money. Carbon emissions from transport must be reduced if the UK is to meet its climate change targets, but public money must be targeted on effective policies.

“So far, Department for Transport expenditure on plug-in cars – some £11 million – has benefited just a handful of motorists. We were warned of the risk that the Government is subsidising second cars for affluent households; currently plug-in cars are mostly being purchased as second cars for town driving.

“It is also unclear whether the provision of public charging infrastructure encourages demand for plug-in cars. Indeed, the Government does not even have a register of all the chargepoints installed at public expense.

“Ministers should not sit back and hope that the Government’s policy on plug-in cars will reduce transport carbon emissions. Far more work is required to ensure that this programme is a good use of public funds."

Recommendations

The Committee recommends:

· The Department for Transport should clarify the reasons for the under spend in its low carbon vehicle programme

· As part of the next spending review, the Government should set milestones for the numbers of plug-in cars it expects to see on the roads so that the success of its low carbon vehicles strategy can be assessed within that spending review period

· The DfT should evaluate how effectively the provision of public infrastructure is encouraging consumer demand for plug-in vehicles.

· Making sure that vehicle owners can access chargepoints across the UK should be a priority within the DfT's plug-in vehicle strategy. The DfT should also set out how it will work to remove barriers to chargepoint access across the country

· An accurate and comprehensive registry of chargepoints installed by the Plugged-In Places scheme should be made available within the next six months. Publication of a full registry should encourage private chargepoint providers to upload their data for public use. It should be made a requirement of Plugged-In Places funding that location details for chargepoints installed using this funding are uploaded to the National Chargepoint Registry

· Plugged-In Places funding should include provision for measures to promote public awareness of the charging infrastructure and the plug-in vehicles grant

· The DfT should set out how it intends to reach agreement in the EU on the type of infrastructure to be used as standard for plug-in vehicles

· The Government must avoid creating instability in the plug-in vehicle market through a lack of consistency between departments in their approaches to financial incentives for these vehicles and adopt a more coordinated approach to such incentives across Whitehall

The Parliamentary Information Office will continue to report on environmental issues and their impact on the UK as we go through the months ahead.

Cyber Security For Businesses By Parliamentary Information Office

With the growth in the use of the internet by small and medium sized businesses and the threat posed to their activities by cyber crime, the Parliamentary Yearbook is, as part of its ongoing coverage feature of security issues, carrying a major piece in the next edition on Government and industry’s efforts to increase cyber security.

For the first time, the Government and intelligence agencies are directly targeting the most senior levels in the UK’s largest companies and providing them with advice on how to safeguard their most valuable assets, such as personal data, online services and intellectual property.

There are currently 2 billion internet users worldwide and the internet accounts for 3.4 per cent of GDP in the top 13 ‘cyber-mature’ countries. The internet also accounts for 21 per cent of GDP growth in the last 5 years in mature countries and provides 2.6 jobs created for 1 job lost.

75 per cent of Internet impact arises from traditional industries and 10 per cent increase in productivity for small and medium businesses from internet usage. Small and medium businesses heavily using web technologies grow and export as twice much as others.

However far too few company chief executives and chairs take a direct interest in protecting their businesses from cyber threats.

So yesterday the Government launched Cyber Security Guidance for Business at an event attended by FTSE 100 CEOs and Chairs, Ministers from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), Foreign Office, Cabinet Office, Home Office and senior figures from the intelligence agencies.

Business Secretary Vince Cable said:

“Cyber security threats pose a real and significant risk to UK business by targeting valuable assets such as data and intellectual property. By properly protecting themselves against attacks companies are protecting their bottom line.

“Ensuring this happens should be the responsibility of any chief executive or chair as part of an approach to good corporate governance which secures a business for the long-term.”

Foreign Secretary William Hague, as Minister responsible for the Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ), said:

“The UK is committed to building a secure, resilient, open and trusted internet. We are working with partners across the globe to ensure this vision becomes a reality.

“A networked world brings many advantages. But cyberspace – and cybercrime – knows no borders.
Businesses must be alert to the dangers. Drawing on GCHQ’s experience and working with industry the Government is committed to helping reduce vulnerability to attacks and ensure that the UK is the safest place in the world to do business.”

Home Secretary Theresa May said:

“Cyber crime is a serious problem which affects businesses of all sizes and can have devastating consequences.

“That is why we have funded the expansion of the Police Central e-Crime Unit in the Metropolitan Police and SOCA’s Cyber Unit, and established three regional cyber specialist hubs to help combat the threat. We will build on this by introducing a dedicated cyber crime unit in the new National Crime Agency.”

The new guidance, produced by the CESG (the Information Security arm of GCHQ), BIS and the Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure (CPNI), will help the private sector minimise the risks to company assets.

The guidance builds on a key objective within the Government’s Cyber Security Strategy to work hand in hand with industry and make the UK one of the most secure places in the world to do online business.
Cyber Security Guidance for Business consists of three products:

The first product is aimed at senior executives. It offers some high level questions which we believe will assist and support them to determine their critical information assets, support them in their strategic level risk discussions and help them ensure that they have the right safeguards and cultures in place
The second product is an Executive Companion which discusses how Cyber Security is one of the biggest challenges that business and the wider UK economy face today. It offers guidance for business on how together we can make the UK's networks more resilient and protect key information assets against cyber threats. The document focuses around key points of risk management and corporate governance and includes some anonymous case studies based on real events
The third product supports the Executive Companion and provides more detailed cyber security information and advice for 10 critical areas (covering both technical and process/cultural areas). If implemented as a set it can substantially reduce the cyber risk by helping to prevent or deter the majority of types of attacks. For each of these 10 areas, we have summarised the issue, outlined the potential risks and provided some practical measures and advice to reduce these risks. The material integrates the "Top 20 Critical Controls for Effective Cyber Defence" as endorsed by CPNI. These controls provide further detailed guidance.

The guidance builds on comments by the Foreign Secretary at the end of the London Conference for Cyberspace (2^nd November 2011), in which he emphasised that cyberspace must be secure and reliable so that it is trusted for online business, and that innovators are confident that their discoveries will be appropriately protected. Another theme was the importance of government and industry taking a shared responsibility towards the prevention of cyber crime

Further news on cyber security will be covered by the Parliamentary Year book and there will be a major feature on the topic in the next edition

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