Angela Smith, Minister for the Third Sector, recently announced the second phase of the Office of the Third Sector's £1.3m Social Enterprise Action Research programme. The second phase allows other government departments to explore ways in which social enterprises offer solutions to policy problems. For more information please click here.

 

The views of charities and voluntary organisations on matters such as the recession and the coming general election are being canvassed in a survey by 'Third Sector', a research organisation. To take part in the survey click here.  The closing date for completed surveys is 4 December.

 

Compact Voice has received a range of responses to the Compact Refresh consultation. The responses have been collated, and some of the key themes and requirements to emerge are highlighted in a new report to the Sector. To read the report in full please click here. 

 

 

The Department of Health has launched a consultation on preparing the NHS and social care in England for the age requirements in the Equality Bill.

 

The review was set up to help health and social care meet the ban on age discrimination and the new public sector equality duty in the Equality Bill. The review published its report, Achieving Age Equality in Health and Social Care, to the Secretary of State on 22 October and the consultation paper now invites views on the recommendations and conclusions made that are not directly tied to the legislation. For more information and to respond to the consultation please click here. The closing date for responses is 15 February 2010.  

The Growth Network now has two new representatives, Dave Ackroyd from Transition Derby and Rachel Hayward from Community Enterprise.  The Safer and Stronger Network and the Culture Network will be selecting their representatives in the New Year.  

 

A Home Office consultation is seeking views on proposals that aim to make the principles of the asylum system clear to all who apply from the outset. It also aims to ensure that those who are granted asylum integrate into their new community as effectively as possible. For more information and to take part in the consultation please click here. The consultation closes on 4 February 2010.  

 

The Financial Services Authority is holding consultations on proposed changes to the way that credit unions are regulated in preparation for new legislation coming into force next year. For further information and to take part in the consultation please click here. The consultation closes on 10 February.

In July the Government published the green paper Shaping the Future of Care Together and launched the Big Care Debate. One East Midlands has sent a regional response from the voluntary and community sector to the national consultation co-ordinators.

 

The Equality and Human Rights Commission has published a guide on Cohesion and Equality.

The purpose of the guide is to help public bodies who provide funding, particualarly at a local level, to comply with their equality commitment. To access the guide please click here