Sep62017

News story: SMEs gear up to supply to government through new £3bn tech deal

HM Government

One hundred SMEs have signed up for the chance to secure a share of an estimated £3bn of IT investment over the next four years – giving them the chance to grow their businesses by helping the government to deliver more efficient, effective public services.

Crown Commercial Service (CCS) has today awarded its new Technology Services 2 framework, with small and medium-sized enterprises representing more than 60% of the total number of suppliers signed up.

CCS is estimating that the framework will help public bodies to save more than £180 million over four years – money that can be spent on delivering frontline services.

Niall Quinn, Director, Technology Strategic Category for CCS says:

This framework delivers significant commercial benefits and gives more SMEs than ever the chance to deliver specialist technology support to the UK public sector.

Up to £3bn is expected to be spent through the agreement, which links public sector bodies with suppliers that can provide specialist IT services – from the management of a small desktop computer estate to the replacement of critical government systems.

160 suppliers have been awarded places on the framework, with 100 of them SMEs. There are twice as many suppliers on the new agreement compared to its previous iteration – Technology Services – giving more businesses than ever a chance to supply to government and increasing competition to drive down prices.

The agreement initially runs for two years, with the option to extend by two further years.

The agency innovation

For the first time, the new agreement includes an ‘agency’ element.

This gives public sector organisations buying services the option to employ a supplier as an ‘agent’ for their needs – buying in further goods or services through other CCS frameworks including Technology Products 2.

This gives customers a ‘one stop shop’ option to fully satisfy their requirements.

CCS will also be supporting small businesses who are new to working with government with regular introductory webinars and self-help videos on CCS systems and processes.

Lotting structure

  • Lot 1 – Technology Strategy & Service Design
  • Lot 2 – Transition and Transformation
  • Lot 3 – Operational Services
  • Lot 4 – Programmes and Large Projects (2 sub Lots)
  • 4a: Government Official security classification
  • 4b: Above government Official classification (government Secret and Top Secret classifications)

To find out more, visit the Crown Commercial Service procurement pipeline.

Sep62017

Growing demand for Universal Credit roll-out to be halted.

Scottish Labour

7th September 2017

There is growing demand for the roll-out of Universal Credit to be halted across the UK.

Today, Interim Labour leader Alex Rowley will lead a debate in the Scottish Parliament supporting calls for the roll-out to be halted.

Alex called for the roll-out of Universal Credit to be halted earlier in the summer.

Charities and individuals across civic Scotland have also united to call on the rollout to be halted.

Universal Credit, which will replace six existing benefits, is supposed to make access to social security payments less complicated. It has been rolled out in parts of Scotland and is due to be introduced in full across the country by the end of 2018 – starting this October. But there are particular concerns about the six-week waiting period for payments at the start of the process.

Since Universal Credit was introduced, Citizens Advice Scotland evidence in initial roll-out areas shows:

• A 15 per cent rise in rent arrears issues compared to a national decrease of 2 per cent.
• An 87 per cent increase in Crisis Grant issues compared to a national increase of 9 per cent.
• Two of five bureaux in impacted areas have seen a 40 per cent and a 70 per cent increase in advice about access to food banks advice, compared to a national increase of 3 per cent.

Read more about our plans for a fairer Social Security system here.
 

Sep62017

Growing demand for Universal Credit roll out to be halted.

Scottish Labour

7th September 2017

There is growing demand for the roll out of Universal Credit to be halted across the UK.

Today, Interim Labour leader Alex Rowley will lead a debate in the Scottish Parliament supporting calls for the roll out to be halted.

Alex called for the roll out of Universal Credit to be halted earlier in the summer.

Charities and individuals across civic Scotland have also united to call on the rollout to be halted.

Universal Credit, which will replace six existing benefits, is supposed to make access to social security payments less complicated. It has been rolled out in parts of Scotland and is due to be introduced in full across the country by the end of 2018 – starting this October. But there are particular concerns about the six-week waiting period for payments at the start of the process.

Since Universal Credit was introduced, Citizens Advice Scotland evidence in initial roll-out areas shows:

• A 15 per cent rise in rent arrears issues compared to a national decrease of 2 per cent.
• An 87 per cent increase in Crisis Grant issues compared to a national increase of 9 per cent.
• Two of five bureaux in impacted areas have seen a 40 per cent and a 70 per cent increase in advice about access to food banks advice, compared to a national increase of 3 per cent.

Read more about our plans for a fairer Social Security system here.
 

Sep62017

SNP plan to empty jails would see more than 11,000 dodge prison

Scottish Conservatives
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6 Sep 2017

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More than 11,000 criminals – including those convicted of homicide, attempted murder and serious assault – would escape jail under the SNP’s new justice plans.

Yesterday, Nicola Sturgeon said she wanted sheriffs to stop handing down sentences of less than 12 months to boost rehabilitation.

However, analysis by the Scottish Conservatives has revealed the new measures would see thousands of serious criminals instead handed fines or community sentences.

In 2015/16, the most recent timeframe for which statistics are available, 11,195 offenders were sentenced to 12 months or less.

That included two convicted of homicide, 109 of serious assault or attempted murder, and 82 of robbery.
In addition, 27 people convicted of sexual assault were sent down for under a year, in addition to 285 housebreakers and 334 found guilty of handling an offensive weapon.

As it stands, courts are instructed to have a presumption against sentences of less than three months.
Last month, think tank Reform Scotland said this should be extended to six months.

Yesterday, as part of her Programme for Government, the First Minister said it was her intention to increase that even further.

Scottish Conservative shadow justice secretary Liam Kerr said:

“The SNP is creating an impression that this change will only really impact low-level offenders whose rehabilitation would be better served with alternative punishments.

“But the reality is it will see certain offenders convicted of homicide, serious assault, attempted murder and sexual assault escape a jail term.

“That’s a shocking way to treat victims of crime, and will do nothing to help rehabilitation.

“Prison is meant to do four things; punish, deter, keep the public safe, and rehabilitate.

“With these proposed changes, the Scottish Government is utterly neglecting all but one of these.

“If ministers are serious about rehabilitation, they should ensure prisoners are compelled to work or undertake education while inside, instead of trying to empty prisons.”

Sep62017

Longer GP appointments in deprived areas to close inequality gap

Scottish Conservatives
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6 Sep 2017

Amb1

Giving patients in deprived areas longer GP appointments could help reduce health inequalities, the Scottish Conservatives have said.

The idea will be among several looked at by a new Health Advisory Board assembled by the party.

The expert panel was unveiled today in Edinburgh by leader Ruth Davidson and shadow health secretary Miles Briggs.

Earlier this year, following calls from the Scottish Conservatives, ministers agreed an additional £250 million in funding for general practice.

Decisions on how that will be spent are yet to be taken, but one suggestion the panel will look at is the possibility of providing longer appointments for patients in less wealthy areas.

The health inequality gap in Scotland is well-documented, with those in more deprived parts significantly more likely to suffer from a range of illnesses, with a far lower life expectancy.

Studies have shown the more time a patient spends with a GP, the less their health will deteriorate, and the fewer appointments they will need in future.

The proposal is supported by the Royal College of GPs, who said: “RCGP believes that longer appointments are invaluable for improving the quality of care all patients can receive … Those in areas of health inequality, be they in urban or in rural areas, need their GP more often than most and to provide an adequate service the funding must be put in place.”

Scottish Conservative shadow health secretary Miles Briggs said:

“Extra money for general practice is something the Scottish Conservatives have demanded for some time.

“Now it’s been agreed, we need to talk about how that is going to be spent.

“We believe one area worth looking at is longer appointments for patients in poorer areas who we know are more likely to suffer from a range of illnesses.

“Even extending the time they spend with a doctor from 10 minutes to 15 minutes could make a huge difference for their health and wellbeing.

“Of course, GPs are already under immense pressure, and this is something that would require good planning and additional funding.

“But this is the sort of discussion we have to have, and this Health Advisory Board will do exactly that.”

The Health Advisory Board was launched by the Scottish Conservatives in Edinburgh today.

Studies have shown longer appointments for patients in deprived areas could reduce health inequalities:
http://www.pulsetoday.co.uk/news/commissioning/commissioning-topics/long-term-conditions/longer-gp-appointments-highly-cost-effective-finds-major-study/20032134.article

On the prospect of longer appointments, the Royal College of GPs is supportive:

“RCGP believes that longer appointments are invaluable for improving the quality of care all patients can receive. Such benefit could be realised across a host of patient circumstances, from those people who have a mental health component to their consultation to those who present with a relatively minor concern as a means to opening up a more substantial issue with their GP.

“If we are to achieve that time for GPs to spend with patients then we need to see substantial increases in funding for general practice to 11% of the NHS Scotland budget, reversing the decade worth of cuts to the percentage share the service has received and permitting a radical increase in GP numbers such as that promised in England.

“Those in areas of health inequality, be they in urban or in rural areas, need their GP more often than most and to provide an adequate service the funding must be put in place.”

Below are the members taking part on the new Health Advisory Board:

Dr Chris Kidson – Paediatric Consultant, Royal Hospital for Children, Glasgow
Dr Neil Dewhurst – Former President of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh
Andrew Robertson – Former Chair of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
Erin McIlveen – General Surgery Specialty Trainee, West of Scotland
Johnathan Laird MRPharmS (IPresc) – Director of PharmacyinPractice.scot and member of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society Scottish Pharmacy Board
Dr Katharine Morrison – General Medical Practitioner, Ayrshire
Dr Belinda Hacking – Division of Clinical Psychology Scotland, British Psychological Society
Norman Provan – Associate Director, Royal College of Nursing Scotland
Emma Currer – National Officer for Scotland, Royal College of Midwives