Consultations
Consultation exercises being undertaken by organisations other than Government Departments
Equality and Human Rights Commission
Commission announces independent inquiry into human rights and British attitudes to them
Trevor Phillips today announces the launch of an independent inquiry into human rights in Britain.
The inquiry will be chaired by Dame Nuala O'Loan, the former Northern Ireland Police Ombudsman who led the investigation into the Omagh bombings. Trevor Phillips said that the inquiry will be 'a full, frank and most importantly independent appraisal' of how human rights works in Britain.
The announcement comes as Britain approaches the 10th anniversary of the passing of the Human Rights Act and the 60th anniversary of the UN's Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Yet despite human rights featuring in British law for nearly a decade, a GfK NOP poll for the Commission showed that the term 'human rights' still prompts blank or mixed reactions from a large proportion of the British public...
... The inquiry's terms of reference are ambitious and seek to give the Commission a robust set of findings about the state of human rights in Britain and recommendations to move the human rights agenda forward.
The Commission has launched its inquiry to find out how human rights works in Britain, in line with our powers under section 16 of the Equality Act 2006.
The inquiry was launched on 21 April 2008 and we expect to complete the process by December.
The Commission is now at the stage of gathering evidence for the inquiry.
Source: EHRC web site
Consultation exercises being undertaken by Government Departments
Identity and Passport Office
The Identity and Passport Office has reviewed its policy for dealing with applications from individuals who are unable to complete an application form and, as a result, is consulting on its policy.
The Consultation Paper (in PDF format only) can be downloaded from the Identity and Passport Office web site, by following this link.
Comments on the Consultation Paper are sought by 24 November 2008 and may be sent, by post, to:
Miss R Briffett, HQ Policy Identity and Passport Service, Olympia House, Newport S. Wales, NP20 1XA
Responses can also be returned by e-mail.
The Office assures respondents that:
Your feedback will be used to ensure that we have made the appropriate changes to our current policy.
However, before doing so, you should note the following warning:
Under the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act (2000), all information contained in your response, including personal information may be subject to publication or disclosure. If you request information provided is kept confidential, this will only be possible if it is consistent with freedom of information obligations. Thank you for your participation in this matter.
No one written off: reforming welfare to reward responsibility
No one written off: reforming welfare to reward responsibility” is a wide ranging consultation on the future of welfare. The Green Paper sets out plans for improving support and work incentives to create a system that rewards responsibility. The majority of people of working age – who can work now or at some point in the future – and their families will no longer be on benefits for life. There will also be greater choice and control over the support that is provided.We are keen to hear your views on “No one written off: reforming welfare to reward responsibility”. You can respond by 22 October 2008.
You can learn more by following this link.
The care and support system needs to change - have your say
England has a care and support system that helps people to be independent, active and healthy throughout their lives. Because we are all living longer, have different demands and greater expectations, this system needs to change.The Government wants to hear what you have to say about how we can improve, provide and pay for care and support in the future.
Follow this link to learn more about the care and support consultation pages on the direct.gov web site.