The Regulator of Social Housing has issued the following statement in response to the Channel 4 Dispatches programme, ‘New Landlords from Hell’, aired on Monday 25 March.

Where tenants directly approach or are referred to the Regulator of Social Housing, it will consider whether there has been a breach of its standards, and if so, whether there has been, or is a risk of ‘serious detriment’. The programme refers to cases that the regulator is already considering. We cannot comment on current cases.

Since October 2013, RSH has published 30 Regulatory Notices against registered social housing providers for breaches of the consumer standards, and in 17 of those cases it also downgraded the organisation’s governance grading at the same time. In cases where it finds a breach of the consumer standards and serious detriment, the regulator expects the provider to resolve those issues promptly, and works directly with the provider as it develops and implements a plan to do so. Each year RSH publishes on its website a Consumer Regulation Review setting out statistics for the numbers of cases it has dealt with and highlighting specific examples.

Further information about the role of the RSH is on the About us page.

Published 23 September 2019

“Since day one I have been made to feel like a valued employee among my peers.”

This is the 3rd in our series about the opportunities offered under various placement and career development schemes at the Government Actuary’s Department (GAD). We have previously heard from people on the trainee actuary scheme and on the actuarial placement scheme. This time, we speak to Mary Gurung, who’s an apprentice in GAD’s human resources (HR) team.

Mary, who’s working towards her CIPD HR Level 3 Support Apprenticeship, has been talking about her role and what she’s learned so far…

I became interested in human resource management, while studying Business Management A-level. The opportunity to interact with colleagues and to come up with ways to help their working lives, on a case-by-case basis really interested me. So, the opportunity to continuously learn seemed unending within a career in Human Resources (HR).

After graduating with a degree in International Business, (and after an initial foray into property management), I joined GAD in January 2019 as an HR Apprentice.

Why did you choose to work in the Civil Service?

The prospect of working within the government while studying to complete my HR Level 3 Support Apprenticeship for the CIPD – the organisation which sets professional standards for HR and people development. This is an internationally recognised qualification, offering me an accredited route into the HR profession.

It can be difficult to enter the HR workspace without experience or a relatable qualification. So, I was excited to be offered the opportunity to learn and earn all the while being a member of the Civil Service HR professional group.

How did you get the role at the Government Actuary’s Department?

I found out about GAD’s HR apprenticeship scheme through the Civil Service Jobs website. Now, around 9 months into my 18-month apprenticeship. I’m half way through my modules. Along the way I’ve learned invaluable HR skills that I am able to implement practically in my role. GAD is quite diverse as an organisation and since day one I have been made to feel like a valued employee among my peers.

What have you learned?

My job is very varied; no 2 days are ever the same. Daily tasks can include co-ordinating recruitment activities (such as interviews), drafting letters concerning contractual changes and carrying out inductions for new starters. In my role I learn about new and innovative ways to operate on a regular basis. I’m gradually gaining a greater understanding of the complete employee life cycle from recruitment to their last day. I enjoy the variety of activities involved at each of these stages and being part of the visible impact that HR has in GAD.

How does the apprenticeship work in practice?

As an apprentice I manage working and studying in tandem which was, initially, quite challenging. I’ve learned how to manage my time effectively by prioritising my work, organising responsibilities effectively and breaking down processes into manageable tasks. The online learning facility from my apprenticeship provider Avado gives me the flexibility to study anywhere and at any time. It enables me to split my time between working and learning.

I have a dedicated Learning Development Coach, who is external to the Civil Service. My coach monitors my progress and provides effective feedback to support my final assessment which concludes my apprenticeship. My line manager and the wider team provide continuous support and help me to take full advantage of my apprenticeship.

So, once it’s over, what next?

Once I’ve completed my apprenticeship, I’ll receive my CIPD certificate and become an Associate member. This will allow me to work at a higher standard as a credible HR professional. My apprenticeship means I’ve already had the opportunity to consider further HR opportunities within the Civil Service.

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Today the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) welcomes Dr June Raine as its interim Chief Executive.

Dr Raine has extensive experience and knowledge of the Agency’s work, gained in a number of different licensing and post-licensing roles, and has been Director of the Vigilance and Risk Management of Medicines (VRMM) division since 2006. Her extensive experience includes chairing the European Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Committee (PRAC) on behalf of the European Medicines Agency for six years.

Dr June Raine commented:

“I am proud to be leading the Agency at this important time. Everyone who works here affects people’s lives – we support patients to make informed decisions about healthcare products that are safe to use and effective. We make a difference to life sciences and public health in the UK – and intend to fully realise the opportunities that the future holds.”

Sir Michael Rawlins, chairman of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, said:

“Dr Raine has spent her professional career in the Agency and its predecessor bodies. She is recognised as one of the leading experts in the field of medicines safety, playing a central role in the Agency’s work. I am delighted that she has agreed to act as interim chief executive of the Agency for the coming months.”

Dr June Raine is replacing Dr Ian Hudson, who steps down after 19 years with the Agency, 6 of them as Chief Executive Officer. Dr Sarah Branch, previously Deputy Director and Head of Operations of the MHRA’s Vigilance and Risk Management of Medicines division (VRMM), will take over from Dr Raine as Interim Director of VRMM from today.

Dr June Raine – biography

Dr Raine qualified in medicine at Oxford University, and undertook postgraduate research leading to an MSc in pharmacology. After general medical posts, her interest in medicine safety led to a career in medicines regulation. She joined the then Medicines Division of the Department of Health in 1985, moving to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency when it was formed in 2003.

Dr Raine worked in several medicines licensing and post-licensing areas, including medical devices, and became Director of the Agency’s Vigilance and Risk Management of Medicines division in 2006. She was chair of the European Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Committee (PRAC) on behalf of the European Medicines Agency from 2012 to 2018.

The United Kingdom welcomes today’s discussion.

The UK Government is committed to gender equality, including SDG 5, reflected in our appointment of a Special Envoy for Gender Equality and our commitment to the Women Peace and Security agenda, the Preventing Sexual Violence in Confllict Initiative, as well as our work to champion 12 years of quality education for all girls, and to promote and protect women’s rights.

We believe that all people should be able to live with dignity, free from violence or discrimination, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Gender equality is much broader than gender parity and equal representation, although these are good first steps. It is about equal rights, opportunities, and responsibilities. If we are calling for gender equality internationally we all must demonstrate our determination to do this here in the UN. It is crucial to integrate a gender perspective into all aspects on the UN’s work, from panels to peacekeeping and from resolutions to recommendations.

As we look ahead to the 20th anniversary of the UN Security Resolution 1325 in October 2020, the UK is prioritising women’s meaningful participation in peace processes; when women do meaningfully participate in a peace process the impact is profound, with the resulting agreement 64% less likely to fail and 35% more like to last at least fifteen years.

Mr Vice President,

Specifically, I would welcome the panellists’ views on what more we can do collectively to end sexual harassment across all international meetings, including this Council?

Thank you.