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Author Archives: HM Government
News story: CMA recommends release of BAES from long-standing undertakings
The undertakings – put in place in 1999 – require BAES as the prime contractor to, where possible, allow other contractors in the defence industry access to its resources for the purposes of a Ministry of Defence (MoD) programme.
A group of independent panel members at the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has now advised the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) that changes of circumstances mean they are no longer appropriate. This follows a comprehensive review and consultation on the proposal they be removed.
The review looked at 4 defence sectors (warships, submarines, combat aircraft and munitions) and found that there have been relevant changes of circumstances. For example:
- the MoD has moved away from a competitive procurement process and made better use of long-term exclusive agreements and alliances;
- BAES has sold or closed its businesses in several sectors; and
- the capabilities of other defence contractors have developed such that any potential reliance on BAES has diminished.
This has meant a smaller role for the prime contractor model where competing suppliers might need to use the undertakings to facilitate access to BAES’ resources. The group’s view is that there is also little prospect of this situation changing in the foreseeable future.
The CMA began reviewing these undertakings in July 2016 after a request by BAES. The undertakings were originally given by British Aerospace plc (now BAES), to the then Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, following its merger with the Marconi Electronic Systems business of General Electric Company plc, in 1999. Following Office of Fair Trading (OFT) reviews, the Secretary of State released BAES from most of the undertakings by 2007.
The remaining undertakings were designed to allow other actual or potential prime contractors to compete for contracts where they might need to sub-contract BAES’ resources. BAES has also been obliged to appoint a compliance officer to ensure this requirement is met. The group has now advised that BAES should be released from these remaining undertakings.
The Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy will now consider this advice and is expected to make a decision shortly.
read moreNews story: Universities rated in Teaching Excellence Framework
UK university teaching quality recognised for the first time.
The Higher Education Funding Council for England has today (22 June 2017) published the first set of ratings for the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF).
It has revealed that the majority of UK universities are offering quality teaching to their students – 59 providers were rated ‘gold’, 116 rated ‘silver’ and 56 rated ‘bronze’.
The ratings will help students decide which university or college to apply to and encourage teaching and learning excellence across the UK.
Universities Minister Jo Johnson said:
These results, highlighting the extraordinary strengths of our higher education system, will help students choose which university or college to study at.
The Teaching Excellence Framework is refocusing the sector’s attention on teaching – putting in place incentives that will raise standards across the sector and giving teaching the same status as research.
Students, parents, employers and taxpayers all have a shared interest in ensuring higher education equips the next generation of graduates for success.
Universities taking part have been assessed by an expert panel in 3 areas:
- teaching quality
- the learning environment
- the educational and professional outcomes achieved by students
As set out in its white paper, Success as a knowledge economy (May 2016), the government will shortly begin a lessons learned exercise into this first trial year of the TEF. The findings of the lessons learned exercise will inform the operation of the TEF in 2018 and the intention to move to subject level assessments.
News story: Customer research manager vacancy at the IPO
This post will support the work of customer insight in transforming services. Closing date for applications is 4 July 2017.
Purpose
The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) is transforming its services for our customers using modern technology. Our transformation portfolio includes a number of projects that are being delivered in accordance with the Government Digital Service project approach. The successful candidate will lead the User Research function within the wider IPO Customer Insight team.
Role and responsibilities
- lead and develop the IPO User Research function, investing in the team’s capability, with a focus on continuous learning and improvement
- manage and lead customer research exercises, including usability testing to identify customer issues and areas for service improvement
- represent customer requirements in projects to build new online capability
- engage customers in the development of online services, tools and content
- make authoritative recommendations for courses of action within the context of professional practice
How to apply
Full details of this role and how to apply are available on the Civil Service jobs website
The closing date for applications is 4 July 2017.
For more information please email adminvacancies@ipo.gov.uk.
News story: Crime news: outstanding bill submissions for Crown Court work
Reminder letters are going out about the need to bill for Crown Court work for cases that finished more than 3 months ago.
We are sending out reminder letters to providers to send in bills for Crown Court cases that finished more than 3 months ago.
The letters are going to providers:
- about outstanding bills under the Litigators Graduated Fee Scheme (LGFS)
- where the instructed advocate has yet to submit a bill under the Advocates Graduated Fee Scheme (AGFS).
The help of providers is needed to forward letters to advocates about billing under AGFS. This is because we do not have contact details for advocates until they have submitted an AGFS bill.
Advocates are asked to give their support when letters are forwarded to them.
Why are you doing this now?
We’ve reviewed our services and are concerned that delays in submitting bills under LGFS and AGFS is affecting our service delivery.
Further information
Nil-Bill-CCMT@legalaid.gsi.gov.uk – for any questions about this process