JGP News

A trial which has hastened the processing of benefits and tax credits in one local authority is set to be implemented elsewhere, the secretary of state for work and pensions has announced today.

Speaking alongside paymaster general Dawn Primarolo, John Hutton announced that a scheme, which has operated successfully in North Tyneside, is now set to be rolled out in six other local authorities. (more…)

Gordon Brown has asserted his commitment to closely involving local authorities in future housing policy planning.

Making his Labour Party leadership acceptance speech on Sunday, Mr Brown identified housing as one of the key priorities in the year ahead. (more…)

A fund of £65 million has been launched to fight unemployment in deprived areas across the UK.

The Deprived Areas fund is being made available over the next two years to Pathfinders by the secretary of state for work and pensions, John Hutton, as part of the City Strategy. (more…)

A scheme to free front line public sector workers from red tape has been launched by the government.

Cabinet office ministers Hilary Armstrong and Pat McFadden today published the scheme in a bid to make public services run more efficiently. (more…)

The employment relations service, Acas, has launched a service to help council workers in the West Midlands better understand their equal pay settlements.

Local councils in the area are currently in the process of offering back-pay to hundreds of employees who have claims as pay scales and equal pay issues are brought up to date. (more…)