To realise the vision of “A Brilliant Civil Service” transformation, Sir Jeremy Heywood and John Manzoni identified vital cross cutting services or Functions to efficient and effective government. At the end of 2017, Analysis (shorthand for analysis, research and evidence) was included as one of these Functions. Following the Analysis Function conference in January 2018, this month sees the launch of the Analysis Function Strategy digitally, in profession boards and at Civil Service Live. Significant contributions to the strategy have come from all of the profession support teams, boards and individual members. So congratulations to all those that have helped make this vision possible!

What is a Function?

The Analysis Function is a collaboration between the analytical professions to achieve Functional objectives. Functions have a common purposes on standards, strategic overview across government, building capability and careers. For the Analysis Function this means:

• Set one standard for analysis across departments which everyone can easily follow.
• Strategic cross cutting department view on priorities, resources, issues or risks.
• Build analytical and critical thinking capability outside of the Function.
• Own a consistent career framework across government to drive attraction, develop members, increase talent and diversity.

What is in it for you as a profession member?

• A broader and more flexible career offer as more roles are opened to all analytical professions.
• A broader and more varied learning and development offer for members as the profession teams increase collaboration.
• Opportunities to take on a wider remit building analytical capability outside of the Function.
• More contact between analysts and other professions to drive initiatives on the analysis standard.

What is in it for the analytical professions?

• Greater visibility for best practice analysis and analysts at the most senior levels of government.
• An opportunity to shape the structure and governance of analysis across government.
• A seat at the Civil Service People Board table where strategic resourcing and pay discussions are decided.

Analysis function strategy

Analysis in Government

The text of the following statement was issued jointly by the Governments of the United States of America, the United Kingdom, and Norway.

The Troika (Norway, the United Kingdom and the United States) condemns the ongoing clashes between the Sudan Liberation Army-Abdel Wahid (SLA-AW) and Government of Sudan forces as well as inter-tribal violence in the Jebel Marra region of Darfur. The civilian population continues to bear the brunt of this unnecessary violence, which has led to the burning down of villages, causing high numbers of civilian injury and death, and the displacement of nearly 9,000 people.

It is unacceptable that the Government of Sudan has repeatedly prevented the African Union/United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) and humanitarian actors from accessing the areas of conflict and displaced populations. The Troika strongly urges the Government of Sudan to immediately provide unfettered access to both UNAMID and humanitarian actors.

The SLA-AW leadership’s refusal to engage with the peace process obstructs the achievement of sustainable peace in Darfur and unnecessarily prolongs civilian suffering. The Government’s actions in military operations and its inaction in stopping the violence undermine efforts to achieve a peaceful solution to the conflict. There can be no military solution to the conflict in Darfur and the international community should consider imposing sanctions against those who continue to act as spoilers.

The Troika calls on all parties to the conflict to immediately cease all military engagement and hostilities, allow unfettered humanitarian access, and to meaningfully engage with the African Union High Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP) led peace process in order to reach a permanent ceasefire.

On 5 June I made a statement to the House in which I set out my decision in relation to the proposed merger between 21st Century Fox and Sky.

I announced that having considered the CMA’s report, I agreed with their findings on the public interest grounds and their finding that undertakings to divest Sky News to Disney or to an alternative suitable buyer could potentially remedy the adverse plurality public interest concerns identified.

I also noted that there remained a number of issues with the undertakings that had been offered and that these would require discussions between my officials and the parties in order to reach agreement on an acceptable form of the remedy.

Following the successful conclusion of these discussions and the resolution of these issues, I am today publishing updated undertakings offered by 21CF along with new undertakings offered by Disney for the divestment of Sky News to Disney.

These undertakings are offered on improved terms and will include:

• a commitment from Disney to operate and maintain a Sky News branded news service for 15 years rather than 10 years
• a restriction on Disney from selling Sky News for 15 years without the consent of the Secretary of State
• an extension of the funding commitment from 21st Century Fox from 10 years to 15 years
• an increase in the total funds available to Sky News, to at least £100m per year, with operating costs protected in real terms
• a formal commitment from Disney to preserve the editorial independence of Sky News

In my view, these revised undertakings meet the criteria that I set out to the House on 5 June and will help to ensure that Sky News remains financially viable over the long term; is able to operate as a major UK-based news provider; and is able to take its editorial decisions independently, free from any potential outside influence.

Under the legislation, I am required to consult formally for 15 days on the undertakings, which I propose to accept. Views as to whether these proposals are sufficient to remedy the adverse plurality public interest concerns raised by this merger are sought by 5pm on Wednesday 4 July 2018.

A Preston drug dealer has today had his sentence increased after the Solicitor General, Robert Buckland QC MP, referred his sentence for being too low.

Edward Marland, 46, was arrested after selling an undercover officer diamorphine or heroin on 3 separate occasions. This was part of an undercover operation in the Preston area which also led to the arrest of 18 others.

Marland was originally sentenced at Preston Crown Court in April, where he was given a sentence of 3 years 9 months’ imprisonment. Today, after the Solicitor General’s referral, the Court of Appeal increased his sentence to 5 years 7 months.

Commenting on the sentence increase, the Solicitor General said:

Drug-dealing offences have a devastating effect on the communities in which they occur. I am therefore glad that the serious impact of Marland’s crimes has now been reflected in his increased sentence.

We wish to make wholesalers aware that Elanco Animal Health has issued a recall of Crovect 1.25% w/v Pour-on Solution for Sheep (Vm 00879/4017).

The recall is due to the possible presence of a defect in the pack, which may cause the caps to split. This issue impacts the following batches of 0.8 litre bottles only;

For further information regarding the recall, please contact Matthew Edwards, email: elanco_orders@lilly.com Tel : 01256 779519