Action on unlawful P2P file-sharing

New ideas to allow for swifter and more flexible measures to tackle unlawful peer-to-peer (P2P) file-sharing are published today by the Government.

The Government is seeking views on the idea of including a power, under the forthcoming Digital Economy Bill, for the Secretary of State to direct Ofcom to introduce technical measures to clamp down on piracy, if necessary.

This would involve an obligation on Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to take action against individual, repeat infringers - for example by blocking access to download sites, reducing broadband speeds, or by temporarily suspending the individual’s Internet account.

Evidence on whether such action is required would be provided in regular reports from Ofcom to the Secretary of State.

Previously, it had been proposed that Ofcom would undergo a detailed process in order to ascertain that technical measures were required. With this approach, the earliest that measures could come into play was during 2012. The Government has now reached the view that, if action was deemed necessary, this might be too long to wait given the pressure put on the creative industries by piracy. The new ideas outlined today would potentially allow action to be taken earlier.

The Government is also considering adding account suspension to the list of technical measures that could be used only as a last resort against the hard core of copyright pirates.

To enable stakeholders to provide feedback on the new ideas, the Government has today issued an explanatory statement and extended the current consultation on unlawful P2P file sharing to 29 September. Responses received so far will still be given full consideration.

Minister for Digital Britain, Stephen Timms said:

“Technology and consumer behaviour is fast-changing and it’s important that Ofcom has the flexibility to respond quickly to deal with unlawful file-sharing.

“We’ve been listening carefully to responses to the consultation this far, and it’s become clear there are widespread concerns that the plans as they stand could delay action, impacting unfairly upon rights holders.

“So we look forward to hearing views on our new ideas, which along with those already received, will help us determine the best way to tackle this complex challenge.”

After listening to views from all sides, the Government is also seeking views on how the costs of the process should be covered. It proposes that some costs, such as the operating costs of sending out notifications and Ofcom’s costs as the Regulator, should be shared equally between ISPs and rights holders.

(BERR) Postal Services Bill clears Lords

The Government's Postal Services Bill successfully cleared its third reading in the House of Lords today and will now pass to the House of Commons.

Business Secretary Lord Mandelson said:

"This is an important landmark in the Bill's passage through Parliament. The legislation has emerged stronger following the numerous debates in the Lords and the constructive and helpful input from Peers.

"The Government remains convinced that the huge challenges facing Royal Mail must be addressed by a comprehensive package of reform. Letter volumes are expected to fall by as much as 10% every year as people turn to email and other forms of communication, with each 1% fall costing the company around £70m. The company is also technically insolvent due to its volatile multi-billion pound pension deficit.

"Royal Mail is facing decline and it would be a dereliction of duty if we did not take action to secure the company's future."

The Postal Services Bill has been strengthened by a number of amendments which the Government made in response to the constructive debate in the Lords. These include:

* Clarity that the legislation allows an employee share scheme to be created, provided that Royal Mail remains publicly owned. The Government believes it is important that employees have a serious stake in Royal Mail's success. It wants to discuss this issue with any partner before deciding how best to incentivise performance and deliver value for money.

* A new requirement for the Post Office to produce an annual report on the breadth and accessibility of the Post Office network. This will ensure that transparent information about how accessible the network is, in particular to small businesses, rural communities, the elderly, people with disabilities and other vulnerable groups, is published every year.

* The Secretary of State must report to Parliament on any sale of shares in Royal Mail. The report would be made after any agreement had been signed and set out the objectives and criteria for any sale and if they have been achieved, and the principal terms.

* A new requirement for Ofcom to report on the cost of fulfilling the universal service obligation (collecting and delivering mail six days per week at a uniform price). Ofcom will also have powers to ensure that the price other postal operators are charged by Royal Mail to access its network, including delivery over the final mile, properly reflect those costs.

The Bill now passes to the House of Commons, where it will be debated by MPs in early June.

(BERR) Government Approves New £5.80 Minimum Wage Rate

The government has announced new National Minimum Wage rates to take effect in October.

* Low paid workers aged 22 and over can look forward to an increase from £5.73 to £5.80 an hour.
* The rate for 18 to 21-year-olds will also rise from £4.77 to £4.83.
* For 16 and 17-year-olds, the rate will go up to £3.57 an hour from £3.53.

Nearly one million people will benefit from October's increase after the government approved recommendations from the independent Low Pay Commission.

Business Secretary Lord Mandelson said:

"The National Minimum Wage has been in place for 10 years and remains one of the most important rights for workers introduced in that time.

"I am very proud of the difference it has made to the lives of the UK's lowest-paid workers. It protects them from exploitation and also creates a level playing field for business, making a huge contribution to the UK's economic success.

"The Low Pay Commission has carefully examined the latest economic data before making their recommendations on the minimum wage rate, balancing the needs of workers and businesses in the current economic climate.

"The government agrees with this assessment and has accepted the recommendations for these new rates to take effect in October."

The deadline for submission of the Low Pay Commission's (LPC) recommendations to government was extended from February to Friday 1 May to allow Commissioners to take into account the latest possible economic evidence.

As well as the rate changes to take effect this year, the government has accepted an LPC recommendation that the adult rate of the minimum wage should be extended to 21-year-olds. This will be implemented from October 2010.

The LPC also recommended that information should be available on employers who have shown wilful disregard for minimum wage laws. The government has today committed to develop proposals and consider the practical issues involved.

Chairman of the LPC George Bain said: "These are very challenging times for the UK and unprecedented economic circumstances for the minimum wage. We believe that the Low Pay Commission's recommendations are appropriate for this economic climate. They reflect the need to protect low-paid workers' jobs as well as their earnings.

"This was a difficult year for the Commission but our evidence-based approach led to another unanimous Report. I am delighted that the Government has again accepted our recommendations on the rates this year."

(BERR) Royal mail - The case for Partnership

The Government today reinforced its message that a strategic partnership can, and will, help to deliver a transformed Royal Mail and that proceeds from the proposed transaction will be used to fund modernisation, as it published its response to the Business and Enterprise Select Committee's report on the Postal Services Bill.

Postal Services Minister Pat McFadden said:

"The measures the Government proposes can deliver our objectives, which are to put a publicly owned Royal Mail on a clear path to modernisation and, in so doing, to secure the future of the universal postal service which the Hooper report said was under threat.

"Royal Mail faces a stark choice about its future, to modernise or decline as mail volumes drop because of the shift to e-mail and text messaging. The Government has put forward proposals that offer Royal Mail the opportunity to survive in this new communications age, as well as respond to its customers' changing needs."

Government welcomed the Committee's support for the majority of the Government's analysis and proposals, including that the status quo is not an option; clear recognition that Royal Mail Group is 'significantly less efficient than its competitors'; both management and unions must change; and that the Government's proposed measures in respect of regulation and historic pensions' liabilities are important elements of a solution.

The Government rejected the Committee's view that it should put a precise figure on modernisation.

Mr McFadden said:

"Modernisation is not a one-off event, nor simply about the purchase of some new machines. It must be an ongoing process in a fast changing commercial environment. The cost of modernisation will depend on the business plan agreed with any partner, how far reforms are taken, the speed of implementation, and the extent to which the Royal Mail seeks to become a leader in the communications market.

"Given Royal Mail's falling revenues and limited profits over the next few years, and pensions fund deficit, clearly Royal Mail will not be able to fund this investment alone. Additional capital will be required and this could be hundreds of millions of pounds, in addition to the funding we have already provided. And as well as capital, there is a need to transform Royal Mail in order to preserve the universal service which is at the heart of our postal system."

The Government has made a number of moves to respond to some of the concerns raised by the Committee. This includes an amendment to impose a new duty on Post Office Ltd to provide an annual report on the Post Office network and its accessibility to consumers, particularly the most vulnerable, throughout the UK.

The Government understands that the Select Committee is keen to see more information about the commercial process. The Secretary of State has committed to keep Parliament informed about important developments as the partnership negotiations progress and to report to Parliament. A Government assessment of the alternatives to partnership will be published before the Commons stages of the Bill.

(BERR) UK protects working time opt out

Talks on the EU Working Time Directive have broken down without agreement being reached.

The collapse sees the end of the European Parliament's proposal to phase out the opt-out in three years. The UK and other countries have consistently held firm against this proposal.

A conciliation meeting in Brussels between the Member States, European Parliament and the European Commission was unable to resolve the long-standing differences between the European Parliament and member states over whether to retain the opt-out or not. With the deadline for reaching an agreement rapidly approaching, and the differences between the parties too great, it was agreed there was no value in continuing the negotiations any further.

Employment Relations Minister Pat McFadden said:

"We refused to be pushed into a bad deal for Britain. We have said consistently that we will not give up the opt-out and we have delivered on that pledge.

"Everyone has the right to basic protections surrounding the hours that they work, but it is also important that they have the right to choose those hours.

"In the UK and many other Member States, choice over working hours has operated successfully for many years. The current economic climate makes it more important than ever that people continue to have the right to put more money in their pockets by working longer hours if they choose to do so."

Business Secretary Lord Mandelson said:

"Millions of people are better off because of the opt-out and I am relieved we have been able to resist its removal."

The dossier in its current form will formally fall when the conciliation timetable reaches its conclusion in May. It will then be for the European Commission to decide how to proceed.

(BERR) Budget delivers real help for personal finances

Savers, pensioners, homeowners and people struggling with debt are to benefit from Budget measures to help people take control of their finances.

The Government is delivering a range of measures to provide real help to tackle the pressures people are facing as a result of the global economic downturn.

Welcoming the Budget boost to personal finances, Consumer Affairs Minister Gareth Thomas said:

"We understand that money is tight for a lot of people at this time. This Budget will help put money back in people's pockets, help them to take control of their finances and, for those in difficulty, get back on their feet again.

"We are helping people to get their foot on the property ladder and meet their mortgage payments, helping pensioners and people who rely on savings income, and putting real help in place for people struggling with debts and on low incomes."

Minister for Pensions and the Ageing Society Rt Hon Rosie Winterton MP said:

"It is important that we continue to support the poorest pensioners through the economic downturn. The changes we have made to Pension Credit will benefit half a million pensioners by ensuring that any savings up to £10,000 will not affect their benefit entitlement."

Ian Pearson MP, Economic Secretary to the Treasury said:

"The Government wants to help all savers get the best possible income from their savings by shopping around to secure the best interest rate.

"To help with this the Financial Services Authority's Money Made Clear service offers comparative tables of savings accounts and has recently introduced a telephone helpline where people can get free and impartial guidance on all aspects of personal finance."

Measures include:

* Tax-free ISAs - on the tenth anniversary of their introduction, the annual tax-free savings limit will be increased from £7,200 to £10,200 for over-50s this year, including half in cash, and available to other savers from next year.

* In response to the potential impact of falling interest rates on pensioners with savings the capital threshold in Pension Credit will be increased from £6,000 to £10,000. The £10,000 limit will also be implemented for pensioners entitled to Housing and Council Tax Benefit.

* Social Fund - an additional £260million in total over two years to meet demand for interest free loans for people in times of financial difficulty, available through Jobcentre Plus.

* Growth Fund - a further £18.75m to help people on low incomes obtain affordable credit and banking services through credit unions and other community-based institutions. This will help to prevent people sinking into a spiral of debt and being driven into the hands of loan sharks.

* Car scrappage - the scheme will be introduced next month enabling people to get £2,000 towards a new, less polluting car or van under 3.5 tonnes.

* White Paper on consumer rights - this will set out proposals to:

* provide further help to people in difficulty with their finances;

* strengthen the UK's credit regime; promote responsible lending and borrowing;

* raise standards in debt collection;

* and set a longer-term direction for the sector and its regulation that will deliver continuing access to affordable credit, enhanced consumer protection and financial stability.

* State pensions - the increase in Winter Fuel Payments announced in Budget 2008 will continue next year so that households with someone over 60 will receive £250 and over-80s households £400 in winter 2009-10. The State Pension is guaranteed to increase by at least 2.5 per cent next year.

* Mortgage Rescue Scheme - the scheme, which helps vulnerable households facing repossession, will be expanded from May 1 to also cover those in negative equity as a result of a fall in house prices.

* Repossessions' Prevention Fund - a new fund which will provide small loans to homeowners or tenants facing repossession, administered by Local Authorities.

* Stamp Duty - the holiday on stamp duty on purchases of properties under £175,000 to help first-time buyers is to be extended to the end of the year.

* £400 million to unblock stalled private sector house building. The new funding will help restart stalled construction sites by creating new partnerships with the private sector. This will help to deliver 9,000 additional homes, all of which will start on site in 2009-10. This will include up to 5,000 homes to help first time buyers, including the option to rent now and buy later, and up to 1,000 social rented homes.

The housing measures follow this week's announcement of support for homeowners to stay in their home through the Homeowners Mortgage Support (HMS) initiative. HMS will enable eligible borrowers who suffer a temporary loss of income to cut their mortgage interest payments for up to two years to help them get back on track with their finances.

(BERR) Budget '09 and Digital Britain

Today's Budget confirms Government plans to deliver a Universal Service in broadband at 2 megabits per second by 2012. The Government will also consult with the BBC Trust on how the emerging under-spend from the Digital Switchover Help Scheme can be drawn on to fund roll-out and take-up.

Budget '09 also underlines the Government's commitment to helping business take full advantage of the opportunities offered in the creative industries by announcing a review of Ofcom's powers and duties to ensure it can strike the right balance between supporting competition and encouraging investment.

Business Secretary, Lord Mandelson said:

"I often stress the need for bridges to our economic future - this is one of the most important. And I believe there's a clear, strategic role for government to help make it a reality."

"We need to make sure that transformational technologies like broadband are genuinely available to virtually everyone. And we need government action to help drive that change and ensure UK firms have the capacity to compete for the economic opportunities it brings."

Minister for Communications, Telecoms and Broadcasting, Stephen Carter said:

"The UK economy needs a digital infrastructure and it needs higher levels of connectivity and greater levels of participation.

He added:

"The Digital Britain commitments in today's Budget will establish a 2mbps Universal Service as a baseline for both Next Generation Networks and for the next generation delivery of public services."

At 2mbps, internet users are guaranteed a quality of broadband capable of offering a wide range of applications, including the majority of public services and video-rich content such as the BBC iPlayer.

Providing Universal Service in broadband and promoting take-up will help boost learning and skills development and drive innovation within the creative industries. No country in the world is currently offering a Universal Service in broadband at a speed this high.

The Government has consulted a design group made up of network experts on the best and most cost -effective ways of delivering a universal service via a range of solutions, including wired and mobile networks. Their conclusions, which will inform the detailed scheme design to be published in the Digital Britain Final report, suggest that for at least some groups of currently underserved users a leap-frog to next generation superfast broadband may be the most economical solution.

The Budget also approves 'Digital Region', a £100 million project led by Yorkshire Forward, which will roll out next generation broadband across the South Yorkshire region, stimulating economic activity through high-speed connectivity.

(BERR) Digital britain summit - equipping britain for a digital future

Technology and communications experts will debate how best to equip Britain for a digital future, at a Digital Britain summit in the British Library tomorrow.

Speakers including telecoms CEOs Ian Livingstone, Neil Berkett and Ronan Dunne, technophile Stephen Fry, Universal Music's Lucian Grainge, Johannes B. Larcher from Hulu, Hirouki Hishinuma from the Japanese Government and Will Hutton, Chief Executive of the Work Foundation, will join 250 industry leaders to address how to secure Britain's place at the forefront of the global digital economy.

Culture Secretary Andy Burnham, Business Secretary Peter Mandelson, Sly Bailey (Chief Executive, Trinity Mirror) and John Fingleton (Chief Executive, Office of Fair Trading) will deliver keynote speeches.

Stephen A. Carter, Minister for Communications, Technology and Broadcasting said:

"The health and success of our digital information and communications sectors are crucial to the future strength of Britain's economy. In the interim Digital Britain Report, we set out our ambition to fully exploit the shift to digital technology."

He added:

"This summit will bring together some of the leading thinkers in the Digital Economy. Their views on how to develop our infrastructure, develop our content and creative industries and keep pace with international competition will be invaluable as we finalise our thinking over the next two months."

There will be four panel discussions to debate the key challenges set out in the interim Digital Britain Report:

Fixing the Plumbing: preparing for tomorrow's digital networks today
Expert Moderator: Francesco Caio, Vice Chairman, Nomura International
Panellists: Neil Berkett, CEO, Virgin Media, Ronan Dunne, CEO, Telefonica O2 UK, Ian Livingston, Chief Executive of BT Group, Stuart McIntosh, Competition Partner, Ofcom

Infrastructure issues will determine the UK's readiness to fully exploit the dramatic shift to digital technology, and require that our wired and wireless communications and broadcasting networks are upgraded to maintain our position and meet our ambitions.

The New Digital Arms Race:
Panellists: Stephen A. Carter, Samuel Sun, CEO, Huawei Technologies,
Hirouki Hishinuma, Director for New Competition Policy, Ministry of Internal Affairs & Communications, Japan.
While UK Plc is internationally recognised as being strong in digital technology, other countries are increasingly making the development of a digital, knowledge economy a centrepiece of their own economic development. This session will look at different approaches around the globe to achieving a successful digital economy.

Promoting the Poetry: joining the dots between creativity and digital content
Expert Moderator: Anthony Lilley, Chief Executive, Magic Lantern Productions
Panellists: Lucian Grainge, CEO, Universal Music, Johannes B. Larcher, Senior Vice President of International, Hulu, Dan Hon, Co-Founder & CEO, Six to Start
Jess Search, Chief Executive, Channel 4 Documentary Film Foundation
Whilst digital is creating a richer, more colourful world for us all as consumers, it is also bringing new challenges for content creators.

Being Digital: Equipping our society for the digital future
Expert Moderator: Andrew Chitty, MD, Illumina Digital
Panellists: Will Hutton, Chief Executive, The Work Foundation, Lynne Brindley, Chief Executive, British Library, Caroline Thomson, COO, BBC, Stephen Fry, Broadcaster & Technophile
The average British adult spends almost half of all their waking hours using the services of the communications sector, so the Digital Britain initiative is not simply a question of economic competitiveness, but also of fairness. We need to ensure that everyone can connect to the digital economy and that its benefits and advantages are available to all. This means ensuring that all have access to the skills to participate effectively; and that the content and services available provide everyone with a good reason to take part.

The summit can be followed online at http://www.digitalbritainforum.org.uk.This will include a link to the live video stream of the event so you can follow proceedings and submit comments as well as questions for the speakers and panel.
Interested parties can also follow proceedings via twitter at http://www.twitter.com/digitalbritain or tweet questions to @digitalbritain.

The discussions will inform the final Digital Britain Report which will be published this summer.

(BERR) Dragon calls for missing ethnic minority business leaders to step up and make their ideas happen

Entrepreneur and star of BBC's "Dragon's Den", James Caan, today called for more entrepreneurs to make their ideas happen and create an extra 100,000 ethnic minority run businesses in the UK.

James Caan made the call as he set out his vision at his first meeting as the new co-Chair of the Department for Business's Ethnic Minority Task Force.

Speaking at the meeting, James Caan said:

"It is more important than ever that we create an environment where anyone with ambition, passion and a good idea - no matter what their background - can succeed.

"Research has found that there are a great number of talented individuals who never move from 'thinker to doer'. I want the Ethnic Minority Task force to enable them to make that jump and create extra 100,000 businesses.

"I look forward to presenting the Task Force's recommendations to Lord Mandelson later in the year".

The Task Force aims to foster growth among black and minority ethnic (BME) firms and boost economic participation by BME entrepreneurs.
James Caan's responsibilities as co-chair will include providing strategic direction to the Task Force and initiating discussions with banks and financial institutions on ways in which the Government can better support BME business owners.

BERR launches consultation on European Consumer Credit Directive

The Government today launched a consultation on the European Consumer Credit Directive.

The Directive aims to protect consumers, offer them new rights and set out common standards across the EU in relation to a range of unsecured credit products.

The provisions to be consulted on include:

* A 14-day right for consumers to cancel any credit agreement without penalty.
* A standardised information form setting out important information for consumers before they sign a credit agreement.
* Lenders will have to explain their products to help consumers make the right choices.
* Lenders will have a responsibility to check consumer's creditworthiness.
* A consumer right to make partial early repayment (this is in addition to the existing right to repay early in full).

Consumer Minister, Gareth Thomas, said: "We want to further promote responsible lending and responsible borrowing. These measures will help with that objective.

"It's important we hear the views of consumer groups and the credit industry to ensure that we improve consumer protection whilst taking into account the practical concerns of business."

The consultation will close on 10 June 2009. To contribute, visit: http://www.berr.gov.uk

(BERR) Real help with lending and advice for local businesses

Financial Secretary to the Treasury, Stephen Timms MP today urged local companies to take advantage of Government-backed support on offer to help them through the economic downturn, at the first regional lending roadshow in London today.

Mr Timms said Government action was increasing lending available from the banks and easing cash flow pressures by allowing businesses to delay payment of taxes and business rates.

The London roadshow brings together Government Ministers, representatives from the banks, small business owners and experts from the Business Link advice service.

Businesses will be able to raise lending issues affecting their companies and will be given information and advice on sources of additional lending and support from the banks and Business Link advisers.

Financial Secretary, Stephen Timms MP said:

"Today's meeting is the first in a series of lending road shows across England aimed at bringing banks and businesses together to improve understanding of the pressures on business, and the support banks are able to provide.

"As MP for a London constituency I know that many local businesses are feeling the pressure, as cash flow has become tighter and access to credit has been squeezed.

"The government understands the vital contribution London's businesses make to the region and to the UK economy as a whole. That's why we have taken decisive action to get credit flowing again and why it's crucial that businesses understand what support is available to them from banks and the government, and how they can access it."

Today's meeting is the first in a series of lending road shows across England including events in Salford on 14 April and Milton Keynes on April 21.

(BERR) Help for employers to prepare for the upturn

A new service providing employers with easy access to free advice and support has been launched as part of the Government's commitment to provide 'real help now' for business.

As part of the Government's Solutions for Business initiative, the Train to Gain skills brokerage service has come together with Business Link to provide a comprehensive information, diagnostic and brokerage service, making Business Link the main route to all government support for business.

The new service aims to simplify access to information for employers and offers free, impartial advice to help them improve and grow their businesses, and encourage them to develop a more highly skilled and qualified workforce.

By contacting Business Link on 0845 600 9006, employers can talk to a local broker who will give advice about what specific training could help that business thrive. The broker can explain where courses are on offer, direct them to suitable local training providers and explain how to access funding.

Skills and Apprenticeships Minister Lord Young said:

"We are committed to providing real help for businesses to help them weather the downturn, and prepare for the upturn.

"The challenging economic climate means it has never been more important to ensure that employers get access to the support and advice they need - quickly and easily. The new brokerage service will help make sure that happens.

"By using the service, businesses of all sizes can receive free, impartial advice on how they can develop a more highly skilled and qualified workforce so that they're in a strong position to take advantage of the upturn, when it comes."

Minister for Business, Ian Pearson, said:

"To succeed in a competitive global environment UK businesses need ongoing access to help and support.

"That's why the Government is committed to helping businesses in the areas they tell us matter- in access to finance and skills.

"The Train to Gain skills brokerage service will provide targeted, free and practical advice for Businesses, helping them to better develop a highly skilled and innovative workforce. Something which is even more crucial in the current economic climate."

Mike Carr, East Midlands Development Agency's Executive Director of Business Services, said:

"The move to further align access to the Train to Gain skills support package through the Business Link service is good news for companies
in the region and their employees. It will make it easier for businesses to identify the learning requirements of their staff, alongside their wider business needs.

"We believe that the development of employees is a vital part in ensuring the future of businesses in these challenging times."

(BERR) The UK Atomic Energy Authority seeks buyers for its commercial business, UKAEA Limited

The UK Atomic Energy Authority today announced it intends to offer for sale its commercial arm, UKAEA Limited. The UK Atomic Energy Authority is wholly owned by the UK Government.

The UK Atomic Energy Authority is seeking a purchaser for up to 100% of the issued share capital of UKAEA Limited, which provides nuclear decommissioning, waste management and site environmental remediation services and nuclear new build support services under contract both in the UK and overseas. The Government has indicated that it would consider retaining a stake in UKAEA Limited.

This move was initiated by a strategic review performed by the UK Atomic Energy Authority following passage of the Energy Act 2004, and is the culmination of a process to develop a commercially viable nuclear decommissioning business. UKAEA Limited has now reached a scale where it can operate and expand independently from Government. The sale process is being managed by Greenhill & Co ("Greenhill"). It is expected to complete towards the end of this year.

Secretary of State for Business, Peter Mandelson, said:
"As the UK moves towards an era of nuclear new build, this sale will increase efficiency, competition and value for money for the taxpayer in the decommissioning and clean up work of old nuclear power stations"

Chairman of the UK Atomic Energy Authority, Lady Judge, said:
"We believe that the UK and international nuclear decommissioning markets represent an exciting opportunity for UKAEA Limited to build a larger and more broadly based nuclear services company, based on UKAEA Limited's core skills, track record and brand.

"The proposed sale will provide UKAEA Limited with a new ownership structure to help deliver its strategic plans and greater commercial focus on its operations."

(BERR) Flexible working rights go to extra 4.5 million

More than 10 million people will have the right to request flexible working from April 6th and government support is helping businesses get ready for the change.

Six million parents and carers already have the right to request flexible working from their employers, with another 4.5 million now gaining the right with its extension to parents of children aged 16 and under.

Employment Relations Minister Pat McFadden said:

"This is about balancing work and family life. Both workers and employers have felt the benefits of flexible working since we first introduced the right to request.

"Fewer mothers change jobs when they return to work meaning greater continuity for businesses and more employees have been able to work hours which help them cope with parental responsibilities.

"Firms can still say no if they have legitimate business concerns, but more than 95% of all requests for flexible working from working parents and carers are now accepted, as employers recognise the benefits more and more.

"Parenting doesn't end as children get older. Extending the right to request will help more parents get the flexibility they need. The business benefits of flexible working are well documented and this remains the case in tougher economic times."

All carers and parents of children aged up to six, or children with disabilities aged up to 18, already have the right to request flexible working.

An independent review by Imelda Walsh last year recommended that the right to request should be extended to parents of children aged up to 16.

Flexible working embraces a wide variety of working practices, including compressed hours, working from home, or any pattern of hours other than the standard one in an organisation.

Benefits of flexible working to business include increased productivity and recruitment savings.

The government is boosting the free guidance and tools available to help businesses deal with flexible working requests.

Websites Business Link and Direct.gov give firms and individuals all the information they need to comply with the law, including online forms to deal with requests - helping save time and money.

In the run-up to April 6th the government is also contacting businesses to make sure they know where to find the free help available and do not need to pay for external advice.

(BERR) Lord Mandelson updates on success of Government Guarantee scheme

Business Secretary Lord Mandelson today welcomed the success of the Government' Enterprise Finance Guarantee with more than 1,300 eligible loans worth almost £145 million being processed through the scheme.

Lord Mandelson added that as awareness grew the value of eligible loans had increased ten-fold, from less than £3 million in week one to around £30 million a week recently. The EFG delivery update was discussed at the latest meeting of the Small Business Finance Forum.

Lord Mandelson said:

"These figures are good news, showing the Enterprise Finance Guarantee is providing real help to businesses. The scheme has taken off since its launch in January with registered lenders now seeing a ten-fold increase in loan demand.

"However, we must continue to work with all 26 lenders signed up to the scheme to ensure frontline staff are offering it where appropriate to small companies across the country."

Lord Mandelson also unveiled the key findings of the Department's first "mystery shopper" exercise which tested lenders on staff awareness, understanding and promotion of EFG.

The results revealed that three-quarters of business advisers had a detailed awareness and understanding of the EFG's features and its role.

The top four lenders agreed to use the results to increase awareness amongst frontline staff.

(BERR) Mandelson - Post Office has potential to become "Front Office for Government"

Business Secretary Lord Mandelson today welcomed the news that the Post Office has signed a five-year contract to support DVLA in issuing millions of motorists with photographic driving licences using new, world class technology.

Lord Mandelson said:

"I am passionate about the Post Office and strongly believe that if the right steps are taken there is a positive future for the network. But nostalgia is not a currency that will enable the Post Office to thrive.

"It must innovate, look to future and identify new opportunities and new ways of doing business. That's why I welcome the contract the Post Office has signed with DVLA.

"Today's announcement will enable a large number of Post Offices to act as a one-stop-shop for drivers to renew photographs on their licences.

"The Post Office's trusted brand, unrivalled network, experienced staff and the new technology being purchased for the contract put the company in an excellent position to bid for other work. It can turn itself into a real front office for Government."

The decision to award this contract to the Post Office further demonstrates this Government's continuing commitment to the Post Office network.

The Government is providing up to £1.7bn of funding to the Post Office, including £150m a year to help support a network of around 11,500 branches to 2011. It has made it clear that it will continue to support the non-commercial network beyond this date.

In November the Government announced that it would renew the contract for the Post Office card account. The account is used by four million people including two million pensioners. It brings millions of people into Post Offices and benefits the retail side of branches up and down the country.

The new Government sponsored Savings Gateway is designed to help people on low incomes save. It will be available through Post Offices who are well placed to deliver this service.

The Government's Postal Services Bill is currently at committee stage in the House of Lords. It reinforces the commitment that the Post Office will remain in public ownership in its entirety. The Bill will also enshrine in law measures to protect the six-day-a-week, one-price-goes-anywhere 'universal postal service'.

(BERR) Final curtain call for rogue agencies

The Government today begins a consultation designed to crack down on entertainment and modelling agencies that exploit aspiring actors and models.

One proposal being examined is a ban on allowing agencies to charge up-front fees to people who think they might be the next big thing. There is a concern that some agencies are charging exorbitant amounts without any likelihood of securing castings or work for the aspiring performer.

Employment Relations Minister Pat McFadden said:

"Last year we introduced a cooling-off period for up-front fees, but we are still receiving reports that models and entertainers are being exploited. So now we propose to go further to stop young people being ripped off.

"I don't want to tread on anyone's hopes or dreams, but I don't want to see these hopes and dreams exploited by unscrupulous agents and that's why we are bringing forward these proposals."

Ben Seale, Managing Director of Spotlight said:

"Spotlight fully supports BERR's attempts to tackle the abuse of upfront fees in the entertainment and modelling sector. We will work closely with them to develop measures that stop the rogue operators, while allowing legitimate industry directories to continue with their vital role in the casting process."

This broad-ranging consultation will also consider whether there is any unnecessary red-tape that can be removed to help honest businesses. Guy Bailey, Senior Policy Advisor on Employment issues at the Confederation of Business and Industry said:

"The CBI welcomes measures to remove unnecessary burdens on employers; when economic growth returns, removing avoidable employment costs will help employment growth to resume more quickly."

(BERR) Joint statement by business secretary Peter Mandelson and CBI president Martin Broughton

Business leaders from G20 countries around the world have been meeting UK Government Ministers ahead of the London Summit on April 2nd.

We had a useful and constructive discussion and urged the G20 to achieve three things:

1. Urgently renew the commitment to conclude the WTO Round.

This is the best insurance policy the international community has against a retreat to protectionism; a successful Doha Round alone would insure against protectionist pressures that could cost the global economy as much as $170bn a year.

2. To increase the supply of trade finance.

International and government institutions need to step in to substitute private flows of trade finance which have been drying up. If left unchecked, this could restrain many hundreds of billions of dollars of global trade over the next two years.

3. To pursue the need for anti-protectionism across the globe.

While demand is a factor, protectionism could be playing a part in the fall in trade. We therefore call on G20 to reconfirm and strengthen their commitment not to bring in protectionist measures, reconfirming the outcomes of the Washington summit, but focussing also on non tariff measures such as subsidies, anti dumping action and licencing restrictions. We also agreed it was important to make sure that the monitoring of adherence to these commitments has realty.

As the London Summit draws near, we believe that the response of the G20 leaders must be decisive and wide-ranging, in the interests of our long-term prosperity.