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1. The Industrial Injuries Advisory Council (IIAC) is proposing to commission a comprehensive review and evaluation of the literature, including epidemiology, on work-related malignant and non-malignant respiratory diseases, primarily focussing on lung cancer and COPD, to inform, update or potentially expand the industrial injuries scheme.
2. Some of the current prescriptions for respiratory conditions have been re-evaluated more than once since their inception many decades ago. However, these prescriptions do not always reflect occupations and modern working practices of today, where exposure may occur more frequently than in the past.
3. IIAC invites suitably qualified (and with relevant experience) interested participants to explore the feasibility of undertaking a systematic review of the literature on work-related malignant and non-malignant respiratory diseases and current prescriptions.
4. It is envisaged that any research undertaken will be used to determine if the current prescribed diseases qualifying for industrial injuries disablement benefit relating to respiratory conditions are fit for purpose and inform recommendations to amend the regulations if necessary.
5. A systematic approach to evidence gathering and synthesis is required and interested parties should indicate how their proposed methods will ensure robust evaluation. Structured tables of the evidence should be included. Characterisation of the nature and magnitude of identified occupations or exposures should include description of the study design, size, routes and forms of exposure, exposure metrics used, health endpoints and results. The quality of the information and triangulation of findings across studies should be evaluated and reported on.
6. Phase 1:
7. Phase 2:
for priority exposures, occupations and/or industries that have been agreed with the Council, to update recent reviews if available of epidemiological literature or, where necessary, carry out a new review of the epidemiological literature
in addition, for those occupational circumstances where there is a clear increased risk of a disease but this is less than doubled, to review and collate available relevant exposure data
8. It is anticipated phase 1 will take around 6 months with a further 12 months to complete phase 2 and deliver the final report.
9. A report should be provided at the end of Phase 1.
10. Throughout Phase 2 short reports on evaluations of priority occupations should be produced to aid discussion with IIAC members.
11. A final report should be provided at the end of the project. It is usual for commissioned reviews to be published by IIAC on GOV.UK.
The Commissioned Review will be subject to a competitive tendering process which will be facilitated on behalf of IIAC by the Department for Work and Pensions.
Those who would like to express an interest in participating in the tender selection process should submit their names, email contact details, qualifications and a brief resume (no more than 200 words) in the first instance.
Please title your correspondence, ‘Commissioned Review for the attention of Mr Ian Chetland’.
Email it to caxtonhouse.iiac@dwp.gov.uk.
The closing date for receipt of expressions of interest is 12pm on 29 January 2021.
Following this date, interested participants will be provided with full details of the requirement and the tendering instructions.
Interested participants should please note that individual, private or personal correspondence and communications will not be entered into. Any enquiries regarding this project must be directed via the IIAC email inbox.
News story
Lord Evans replies to Tonia Antoniazzi’s request that the Committee on Standards in Public Life investigate the Chancellor’s declaration of interests
In response to a letter from Tonia Antoniazzi MP, Lord Evans outlined the Committee’s remit as an advisory body, and not a regulator. It is not within the remit of the Committee to investigate individual alleged breaches of any Code of Conduct.
Published 30 November 2020
News story
Jane Ramsey, an independent member of the Committee on Standards in Public Life, has resigned from the Committee with immediate effect.
Lord Evans thanked Jane Ramsey for her service to the Committee over the past four and half years.
Published 30 November 2020
Press release
The Rural Payments Agency has launched a consultation on the operation of the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) on the New Forest common.
The Rural Payments Agency has launched a consultation on the operation of the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) on the New Forest common.
The Rural Payments Agency has launched a consultation on the operation of the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) on the New Forest common.
New Forest commoners can apply for BPS and be allocated a notional share of the Forest’s eligible agricultural area. At present, the allocated area is based on the number of marking fees they paid for animals turned out to graze in the previous year.
Marking fees are a fee that commoners must pay to the Verderers (a body which regulates and protects the interests of the New Forest commoners) in order to have their animals marked before being turned out to graze in the forest, so they can be identified and traced back to the keeper in the case of need.
This method has recently been challenged as having the effect of encouraging commoners to keep more animals in order to be paid more subsidies, and therefore impacting the environment.
The Rural Payments Agency is now seeking views on ways to replace or amend the present allocation method for BPS 2021 and the remainder of the life of the scheme. It does not intend to continue with the present method after this year.
The consultation is directed at anyone who:
The consultation period will be open for a period of just over nine weeks and end on 3 February 2021. Responses submitted after that date will not be considered.
The RPA is writing directly to all commoners who claim BPS in the New Forest and the consultation is also being published on Gov.uk. The outcome of the consultation is expected to be published in the Spring.
The Government has also today published the ‘Path to Sustainable Farming’ which includes a wide-range of support measures that will help farmers adapt to a new agricultural system. One of the key changes is the reduction in Direct Payments. Starting from the 2021 Basic Payment Scheme year and phased out entirely by the end of 2027.
Payments will reduce by around 50% by 2024 for the majority of farmers and the money used to fund new grants and schemes to boost productivity and reward environmental improvements. Support and advice will be available to help those most affected by the phasing out of Direct Payments during the agricultural transition period.
Published 30 November 2020