The Government Actuary’s Department (GAD) has refreshed its strategic objectives and framework for the next 5 years. In the new GAD 2025 Strategy, we have set out our approach to building on our strengths while focusing on key areas to ensure that as a department of experts we remain fit for the future.

Expertise and analysis

GAD provides actuarial solutions including financial risk analysis, modelling and advice. We support, and solve financial challenges faced in, the UK public sector. The department is one of several public sector organisations which belong to the government’s Analysis Function.

Our areas of expertise continue to evolve and cover:

• Insurance, risk and contingent liabilities
• Financial models and quality assurance
• Pension and social security schemes
• Climate change, health and social care

Key areas

In the new GAD 2025 Strategy we focus on 4 main areas; our clients, our people, inclusion and processes. The document also sets out GAD’s aims and priorities in each section. This detailed and ambitious 5-year strategy has at its heart a vision that sees GAD in 2025 as a department where we:

• make a difference
• partner effectively with our clients
• are seen as a great place to work
• are widely recognised and respected throughout the public sector

Welcoming the GAD 2025 Strategy, Martin Clarke, the Government Actuary said: “We will build on our strengths including our strong reputation as objective, professional actuarial experts within the public sector.

“We place our clients’ needs at the centre of what we do, and we offer fulfilling careers in a supportive environment.

“The benefits to us all of working together to achieve our vision are huge – acquiring new skills, solving new problems and using the latest technology. I see an exciting future for GAD, and I’m looking forward to playing my part in making it happen.”

The officers swiftly reacted to reports of nine ducklings close to motorway traffic between junctions 27 (Hucknall) and 28 (Alfreton).

Traffic officers briefly closed the northbound carriageway of the motorway at around 4.30pm on Saturday to safely round the stray birds up.

The ducklings were then handed to Derbyshire Police officers and will be found a good home.

Highways England duty manager Richard Meakin said:

We closed the motorway for about 10 minutes so the traffic officers could safely round up the ducklings – animals can be very unpredictable and we didn’t want them heading into the carriageway.

I’m pleased to say all ducklings were recovered safe and sound and will now be found a good home far away from the motorway.

General enquiries

Members of the public should contact the Highways England customer contact centre on 0300 123 5000.

Media enquiries

Journalists should contact the Highways England press office on 0844 693 1448 and use the menu to speak to the most appropriate press officer.

Stephen Gibson has been appointed as interim chair of the RPC, having previously been a member of the committee since May 2018. Stephen has over 25 years’ experience as a professional economist across a range of regulated sectors including post, water, ports, rail, aviation, energy and telecoms, working as a consultant and from both sides of the regulatory fence.

Business Minister Lord Callanan said: “The Regulatory Policy Committee offers important advice and scrutiny to Government on regulatory change, ensuring we can effectively deliver policy, while keeping the burdens on business to a minimum.

“I am pleased to see Stephen appointed as interim chair. As an existing committee member, he brings the vital experience and continuity the RPC needs to take forward its work in these exceptional times.”

Interim chair of the Regulatory Policy Committee, Stephen Gibson said: “I am delighted to be appointed to this exciting role. It is more important than ever that we have better and more effective regulations that promote the interests of society including businesses, civil society organisations and the public. I look forward to working with government departments and regulators to improve the evidence and analysis underpinning their regulatory decisions.”

So, this year’s World Mental Health Awareness Week is even more important than ever.

We will once again be sharing lots of resources this week to help you look after your mental health or to give you support if you are struggling.

We will also be sharing some of our employees’ thoughts and top tips for their mental health during these strange times.

The theme for this year’s event is kindness. We’ll be sharing some of our employees’ thoughts on this, as well as continuing to share some of the extraordinary examples of kindness our employees have been demonstrating through their volunteering.

Sellafield Ltd’s Chief Nuclear Officer and mental health sponsor, Euan Hutton said:

We are once again supporting Mental Health Awareness Week. It is a great opportunity to remind everyone of the need to look after their mental health. This has always been important and has always been a message I’ve shared, but it’s even more critical now.

No matter how resilient any of us is, the huge changes we’ve seen to our lives, are bound to have an impact on our health – both mental and physical.

As always, one of the best mental health tips is to speak to someone about your mental health, especially if you are not feeling as you normally do.

In fact, I would urge everyone to take the time this week to have a conversation with someone about their mental health. Why not give a team mate or friend a call for a chat? Especially if you’ve not been in touch as much as normal.

Euan Hutton

Full time undergraduate students in Wales are being encouraged to apply for student finance as soon as possible to ensure their finances are in place for the new academic year.

That’s the message from the Student Loans Company (SLC) which has ensured that the application service has remained open to students as part of its response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

SLC is prompting continuing students to reapply for their next year’s student finance as soon as they can. New students are being urged to submit their applications; they don’t need a confirmed place on a course to apply, they can use their first choice of course and update their application later if this changes.

The easiest way to apply is online at www.studentfinancewales.co.uk and SLC has produced the following guide and video to help with the process: guide

How to Apply

There is also a dedicated resource for parents and partners who are supporting applications at www.studentfinancewales.co.uk/parents-and-partners.aspx

Derek Ross, SLC’s Executive Director of Operations said: “We recognise that students will have much to consider at the moment. However, for those going to University this autumn, it is important that they make applying for student finance a priority. SLC has worked hard to ensure the continuity of the application service throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and the message is still that students should get their applications in ASAP to ensure that their student finance is in place for the new academic year.”

This information is designed to help new students and their parents find out everything they need to know about the application process. Students can also follow SFW at facebook/SFWales, twitter.com/SF_Wales or youtube/SFWFILM to keep up with all the latest news alerts.