Tag Archives: HM Government

CCS has been working with partners including the CBI, Federation of Small Businesses, techUK and the Association of Bid Managers to design the new pack, which cuts the amount of tender documentation that suppliers need to complete.

The pack consists of fewer, shorter tender documents and sets out all the information in one place and in Plain English. The new pack also removes irrelevant terms and conditions, only including those which directly apply to the goods or service being purchased.

Full terms and conditions that apply to all frameworks will be available online instead.

The simplified bidder pack will now be rolled out to all relevant new agreements awarded in the coming months and years.

Sam Rowbury, CCS Director, Policy Delivery said:

The new bid pack will make it easier than ever for more suppliers, and particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, to work with government. It clearly and simply sets out the customer’s and CCS’s requirements, so that bidders can spend more time developing their best offer and less on red tape.

We have already seen success in the first project, which resulted in 86 of the 121 successful suppliers on the new Cyber Security Services framework being SMEs. Many of those suppliers told us that the new pack was much easier to understand and use.

Rob Driver, techUK’s Head of Public Sector Programme said:

Ongoing engagement between Government and industry enables public services to take advantage of innovative tech through having access to a wide range of suppliers.

As a result of the detailed supplier and buyer engagement between techUK and CCS a more user friendly bidder pack has been developed. This will open up choice for public sector buyers, promote innovation and help the government achieve its target of 33% of procurement spend being awarded to SMEs.

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On 1 April 2017 vehicle tax rates changed.

New rates were introduced for all cars and some motorhomes first registered on or after 1 April.

If you’re thinking of changing your car, you’ll need to find out if these rates affect you. You can check the vehicle tax rate to make sure you know what you need to pay.

The rates explained

The first vehicle tax rate is based on CO2 emissions.

When the first vehicle tax period has ended (this is either after 12 months or if the vehicle is sold or transferred within the first 12 months), the amount of tax that needs to be paid depends on the type of vehicle. The rates are:

• £140 a year for petrol or diesel vehicles
• £130 a year for alternative fuel vehicles (hybrids, bioethanol and LPG)
• £0 a year for vehicles with zero CO2 emissions

Vehicles with an original list price of more than £40,000

If a vehicle has an original list price (the published price before any discounts) of more than £40,000, the rate of tax is based on CO2 for the first time it is taxed.

When the first vehicle tax period has ended (this is after 12 months or if the vehicle is sold or transferred), the rate that needs to be paid depends on the type of vehicle (petrol, diesel, alternative fuel or zero emissions) plus an additional rate of £310 a year for the next 5 years.

After those 5 years, the vehicle will then be taxed at one of the standard rates (£140, £130, or £0, depending on vehicle type). These rates apply even if the vehicle changes hands within the 5 year period.

Check your vehicle tax rate now.

Follow the story

Drivers can follow DVLA on Twitter or Facebook, or sign up to our email alerts to keep up-to-date with the changes to vehicle tax.

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Launching the report ‘Setting the Standard’ at a horizon scanning event, Lord Bew said:

In 2016-17, we considered issues across public life from regulatory bodies to referendums, and party funding to induction for new MPs, to reinforce the importance of the Nolan Principles and emphasise their relevance in fast-changing times.

In September we launched our report on regulators, Striking the Balance – Upholding the Seven Principles of Public Life in Regulation. In 2017-18 we will publish the findings of our current review on ‘reasonable limits’ for MPs’ outside interests, and work with a wide range of audiences to address other standards issues.

The new Parliament provides an opportunity for everyone in public life to reflect on their standards of conduct, both what they do well and what can be improved. As the process of negotiating and scrutinising the UK’s departure from the EU begins, honesty and integrity in political discourse has never been more important. We call on all public office holders to consider how they can incorporate the Seven Principles into their daily work to promote public trust and confidence as we face the challenges ahead.

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The travel industry is providing training for staff working in the UK and overseas to help keep holidaymakers safe this summer.

Over 23,000 employees have attended sessions, which include advice on how to spot suspicious items and activity, as well as what to do in the event of a major incident.

The programme is being run in partnership with the National Counter Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO) which has created a short presentation offering travel companies an easy to deliver counter terrorism awareness product.

This covers the core CT guidance needed by staff working in a Crowded Place at home or abroad. The product – funded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office – includes three new films which show staff what to expect and how to respond in the safest way to the terrorist threat:

Identify and Respond to Suspicious Behaviour

Identify and Respond to Suspicious Behaviour

Identify and Deal with Suspicious Items

Identify and Deal with Suspicious Items

How to React to Firearms or Weapons Attacks

How to React to Firearms or Weapons Attacks

The presentation is accompanied by a helpful leaflet (PDF, 178KB, 2 pages) which can be printed and distributed as an aide memoire for staff and refers to the ACT: Action Counters Terrorism guidelines for reporting any suspicious behaviour or items.

In addition to the industry training, holidaymakers travelling abroad this summer are also being urged to watch a new video designed to help keep them safe in the event of a terrorist attack.

New Run Hide Tell video

This film is four minutes long and outlines key actions to take if terrorists strike.

While there is no specific intelligence that British holidaymakers will be targeted this summer the launch of the film, and supporting information, is part of a general campaign to raise awareness among the public. It highlights the steps people can take to minimise the impact of an attack – including knowing the local emergency services number.

The central message is Run, Hide, Tell, which was first launched by UK police in December 2015 after attacks in Paris. It was recently re-issued to the public by officers during London’s Borough Market incident.

The original film to launch Run, Hide, Tell was based in an office block setting but the new travel-related videos show an event taking place in a hotel.

In June 2015, 30 British travellers were among 38 killed by terrorists at a resort in Tunisia. UK police were determined to work with the travel industry to do everything possible to learn from the tragedy.

Detective chief superintendent Scott Wilson, National Coordinator for Protect and Prepare, says:

The chances of being caught up in a terrorist incident are still low, but sadly we have seen atrocities take place in the UK and abroad. So it is important everyone – staff and customers – stays alert and knows what to do if the worst was to happen.

Understandably people want to go on holiday to relax and enjoy themselves, but we need to remain vigilant at all times.

We want people to think of this in the same way they do the safety film airlines show before take-off. They don’t expect anything bad to happen but it is a sensible safety precaution to show people what to do.

A few minutes of your time spent watching the video before you go on holiday could save you and your loved ones. And find out in advance the local emergency number. For EU counties it is 112. Other numbers can be found on the foreign and commonwealth Office website.

Nikki White, Director of Destinations and Sustainability from ABTA adds:

We recognise the importance of raising awareness and providing clear guidance for our Members and their employees. We know that customers would look to those staff working in their hotels and resorts to take the lead and respond quickly to an emerging situation.

Representatives of the travel industry, taking part in the training, have responded positively.

We will continue to work closely with the police to make sure we are doing all we can to help raise awareness of these messages.

The key advice is:

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Welcoming Prime Minister Abadi’s statement on Mosul, Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon said:

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