eGov monitor - Voluntary Sector

"The promise of opportunity, true liberty, so people can live a life according to commitments and choices that they can authentically call their own" - David Miliband lays out his vision for the Labour party. Read the whole speech here:

The Government wants to remove regulatory burdens to allow the third sector focus on making a difference in their communities and mobilise the Big Society claimed ministers today.

Renewable And Clean Energy projects received a boost when the Asian Development Bank announced a US $1 Billion investment fund to boost production of cleaner energy in Asia.

Government's ambition to have public sector staff take more initiative to drive better public services in their community took a step forward with the unveiling of the first 12 pathfinder mutuals.

Not paying interns a fair wage is most likely illegal and often a barrier says Katy Lawton from ippr as she discusses the issue and suggests ways to remedy the situation.

Many charities only operate with one month's expenses as reserve while one in three do not have any financial reserves at all says new research released by NCVO last week.

There is too much delay in care proceedings which damage vulnerable children said Barnado's,UK's largest children's charity.

No additional regulatory budens would be imposed on businesses or the voluntary sector from 1 September 2010 this year announced the Business Secretary this morning.

All regulations imposed by government would follow the "one in - one out" rule. Departments would be provided with guidelines so that ministers can proactively look to remove obstacles in the form of regulations from businesses as well as the third sector.

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However, these new rules would not apply to national emergencies or those that have been imposed upon the financial system in recent months. Following its pledge to involve the public as much as possible, the Government would invite citizens to nominate those regulations they would wish to see scrapped.

"We have to move quickly delivering credible and meaningful reductions in the burdens that hinder hard-pressed businesses and charities. We have to create a common sense approach in the way we think about new laws," Business secretary Vince Cable said.

"By ensuring regulation becomes a last resort, we will create an environment that frees business from the burden of red tape, helping to create the right conditions for recovery and growth in the UK economy,"  he added.

Education Minister, Caitríona Ruane, has attended the re-launch of Newhill Youth and Community Centre. Speaking at the ceremony in West Belfast, the Minister said: “I am pleased to be invited here to celebrate the re-launch of your new centre and that my Department was able to provide the £123,000 funding for the refurbishment. Events such as these show how local people working together can unite community spirit and give the local people what they deserve.

Commenting on the Governments plans to allow the public to veto council tax increases in England above a limit agreed annually by Parliament, Peter Facey Director of Unlock Democracy commented

The National Autistic Society (NAS) has ramped up its legal campaigning with the launch of a new Autism Legal Network and a call for cases with the potential to change the law for the half a million people with autism in the UK.

NCB is to continue its groundbreaking work on promoting sustainable lifestyles in schools despite the disappointing news that the Government will not be continuing to invest in a Sustainable Schools Strategy.

A new national survey released by the DCLG shows that a majority of people in England are "satisfied" with their communities despite accepting that they have minimal influence on local decision making.

The Prime Minister would lay out details of his vision for a "national citizen service" where teenagers in the country would be invited to take part in a two month summer residential course begining next year.

The launch in Liverpool of plans to build the ‘Big Society’ provided further details of David Cameron’s vision to end the period of ‘big government’. The author explores the prevalent scepticism among many stakeholders.

The Prime Minister yesterday set out his plans for a Big Society in a speech in Liverpool and unveiled the four diverse areas in the country that would pilot the Big Society project.

Protection of personal data is a fundamental right. As Vice-President of the Commission and Commissioner for Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship I want to make sure that this right is promoted in all our actions.

SMEs are the best generators of the innovations and competition that lead to strong economic growth. If Europe is to achieve sustainable long-term growth we clearly need to pursue structural reforms that benefit SMEs says EU Digital Agenda Commissioner.

The Prime Minister, in a speech in Liverpool, this morning laid out his vision for a "Big Society" arguing this move would empower communities at the expense of the State.

“If the Big Society means we aspire to create more civilised places where humanity prevails, and the individual spirit thrives, then artistic and cultural activity is not just indispensible, it must sit at the core, and national and local government must work together in one cause, “ Sir Andrew Motion said today.