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2 | 1 | NHS long-term plan: Focus on prevention 'could save 500,000 lives' hello | 07/01/2019 | https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1521540124319-66c09f0d5999?ixlib=rb-1.2.1&ixid=eyJhcHBfaWQiOjEyMDd9&auto=format&fit=crop&w=2183&q=80 | <p>NHS bosses in England say a new 10-year plan could save up to 500,000 lives by focusing on prevention and early detection.</p> <p>GPs, mental health and community care will get the biggest funding increases to shift the focus away from hospitals.</p> <p>Prime Minister Theresa May hailed the launch of the plan as a "truly historic moment".</p> <p>But unions are concerned that staffing shortages could undermine the ambitions - one in 11 posts are currently vacant.</p> <p>And some senior doctors warned hospitals were facing a "near-on impossible task."</p> <p>Society of Acute Medicine president Dr Nick Scriven said he was "staggered" by the plans given the problems facing hospitals.</p> <p>Many trusts are missing all three key waiting time targets for A&E, cancer care and routine operations, and are struggling to balance the books.</p> <p>NHS England chief executive Simon Stevens indicated there may be changes to the current target - that at least 95% of patients attending Accident and Emergency departments should be admitted, transferred or discharged within four hours - to take into greater account clinical need.</p> <p>He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "The problem with that is it doesn't distinguish between turning up at A&E with a sprained finger versus turning up with a heart attack.</p> <p>"The top doctors in the NHS are looking at what are the most appropriate clinical standards to improve outcomes in emergency care. They will make their recommendations and then, on the back of that, we will meet them."</p> | |||||||||||||||||||||
3 | 2 | Fly-tipping: New financial penalties in government fight against waste crime | 07/01/2019 | https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/image_data/file/83083/s300_waste_photo_gov_uk_960_640.jpg | <p>New financial penalties have come into force to crack down on fly-tipping. The majority of householders already dispose of their waste responsibly, however from today (7 January) any householder who fails to pass their waste to a licensed carrier, and whose waste is found fly-tipped, could face penalties of up to £400.</p> <p>The government has also issued guidance to ensure councils use these new powers proportionately, which makes clear penalties should not be used as a means of raising money and should not be issued for minor breaches.</p> <p>Potential fly-tipping by rogue operators, and the risk of a penalty, can be simply avoided by using certified waste carriers. Householders can search for registered waste carriers quickly and easily on the Environment Agency’s website.</p> <p>Latest figures show the government’s crackdown on fly-tippers is delivering results, with no increase in the number of incidents for the first time in five years for the 2017/18 year.</p> <p>To tackle the potential over-zealous enforcement on households, in 2015 the government removed criminal penalties for breaches of household bin requirements in favour of a new civil penalty system.</p> <p>Councils were urged to use letters or notices on bins to remind people of appropriate practices. This measured and balanced approach, set out in further guidance, continues to allow councils to focus their efforts on the small minority who cause genuine harm to the local environment through irresponsible behaviour.</p> <p>The guidance for councils on issuing the fixed penalty notices will continue to ensure they strike the right balance. This guidance also says that local authorities should consider whether the householder is a vulnerable person, for instance due to age related ill-health or a mental or physical disability.</p> <p>We have also committed to clarifying charging arrangements for waste disposal in relation to small scale DIY construction activities carried out by ordinary householders, which the government has made clear should not be charged for at Household Waste Recycling Centres.</p> | |||||||||||||||||||||
4 | 3 | Helping hand to set up new businesses | 04/01/2019 | https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/default_news_organisation_image_data/file/403/s300_HMRC_sign__media_library_-_alternative__GOVUK_960.jpg | <div class="govspeak"> <p>More than 200,000 new businesses have used a new one-stop cross-government service allowing new start-ups to register their company and also register for tax at the same time.</p> <p>The Streamlined Company Registration Service, which has been set up in a collaboration between <abbr title="HM Revenue and Customs">HMRC</abbr> and Companies House, will ease the burdens on new businesses, enabling them to concentrate on what they do best – producing goods, providing services and contributing to the UK’s reputation as one of the best places in the world to start a business.</p> <p>When registering with Companies House, companies can also register for tax and <abbr title="HM Revenue and Customs">HMRC</abbr>’s digital services, making it easier for new start-ups to fulfil all their legal obligations in one go.</p> <p>The change, which came into effect last year, removes the need for businesses to send duplicate information to both Companies House and <abbr title="HM Revenue and Customs">HMRC</abbr>.</p> <p>The new service is part of the government’s modern Industrial Strategy’s commitment to reduce administrative burdens on small businesses, enhancing the UK’s reputation as one of the best global environments for small businesses to thrive in.</p> <p>Mel Stride MP, Financial Secretary to the Treasury, said:</p> <blockquote> <p>It’s never been easier to set up a business in the UK. Reducing the administrative burden on small businesses is all part of this government’s commitment to support small business growth.</p> <p><abbr title="HM Revenue and Customs">HMRC</abbr> and Companies House are working hard to make business registration and tax easier. Previously, the same information would need to be entered into a number of different platforms to register a company and register for tax, we have simplified that process.</p> <p class="last-child">The government is committed to ensuring we can deliver a modern, digital tax system for all businesses and their agents, supporting them to get their tax right and reducing the amount of tax lost through avoidable error.</p> </blockquote> <p>Small Business Minister Kelly Tolhurst said:</p> <blockquote> <p>British small businesses, and the entrepreneurial spirit behind them, are the backbone of the UK economy employing over 16 million people up and down the country.</p> <p class="last-child">Through our modern Industrial Strategy we are making it easier for small businesses to grow and flourish by investing in modern industries, infrastructure and skills, and making it easier to access finance. Anyone thinking of starting a new business in 2019 should check out the huge wealth of Government advice and support available, and go for it.</p> </blockquote> <p>There’s only one more thing you need in order to start a business in the New Year: passion. You have a new idea that you, and those around you, truly believe in, that excites you and that you are motivated to bring to life. Get your start-up in gear. After all, New Year, new you, and a new business too!</p> <h3 id="further-information">Further Information</h3> <p>The joint service known as the Streamlined Company Registration Service supports the government objective to reduce administrative burdens on small businesses to support growth and was announced as part of the Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Act 2015.</p> <p>Companies House and <abbr title="HM Revenue and Customs">HMRC</abbr> worked together on the joint service to both set up a limited company and register for Corporation Tax, and register an employer for Pay As You Earn (PAYE) tax.</p> <p>A formation agent can still be used to register businesses, and formation agents can continue to act for their clients.</p> <p>For more information, visit <a href="https://www.gov.uk/limited-company-formation">GOV.UK</a>.</p> </div> | |||||||||||||||||||||
5 | 5 | Universal Credit | 10/01/2019 | https://i2-prod.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/incoming/article15519711.ece/ALTERNATES/s615/1_Conservative-Think-tank-Criticises-The-Universal-Credit-Benefit.jpg | <div class="column-two-thirds"> <h1 class="part-title"> Eligibility </h1> <div class="gem-c-govspeak govuk-govspeak direction-ltr disable-youtube"> <p>You may be able to get Universal Credit if:</p> <ul> <li>you’re on a low income or out of work</li> <li>you’re 18 or over (there are some exceptions if you’re 16 to 17)</li> <li>you’re under <a href="/state-pension-age">State Pension Credit qualifying age</a> (or your partner is)</li> <li>you and your partner have £16,000 or less in savings between you</li> <li>you live in the UK</li> </ul> <div role="note" aria-label="Information" class="application-notice info-notice"> <p>Use a <a href="/benefits-calculators">benefits calculator</a> to check what benefits you could get if you’re not eligible for Universal Credit.</p> </div> <h2 id="if-you-live-with-your-partner">If you live with your partner</h2> <p>Your partner’s income and savings will be taken into account, even if they are not eligible for Universal Credit.</p> <h2 id="if-you-have-children">If you have children</h2> <p>You can make a new Universal Credit claim if you either:</p> <ul> <li>have 2 children or fewer</li> <li>received Universal Credit in the previous 6 months and your payments ended</li> </ul> <p>You cannot claim if you’ve 3 or more children and you’ve not claimed Universal Credit in the last 6 months. You can apply for <a href="/child-tax-credit">Child Tax Credit</a> instead.</p> <h2 id="if-youre-16-or-17">If you’re 16 or 17</h2> <p>You can make a new Universal Credit claim if any of the following apply:</p> <ul> <li>you have limited capability for work or you have medical evidence and are waiting for a Work Capability Assessment</li> <li>you’re caring for a severely disabled person</li> <li>you’re responsible for a child</li> <li>you’re in a couple with responsibility for at least one child and your partner is eligible for Universal Credit</li> <li>you’re pregnant and it’s 11 weeks or less before your expected week of childbirth</li> <li>you’ve had a child in the last 15 weeks</li> <li>you do not have parental support, for example you’re estranged from your parents and you’re not under local authority care</li> </ul> <h2 id="if-youre-in-training-or-studying-full-time">If you’re in training or studying full-time</h2> <p>You can make a new Universal Credit claim if any of the following apply:</p> <ul> <li>you live with your partner and they’re eligible for Universal Credit</li> <li>you’re responsible for a child, either as a single person or as a couple</li> <li>you’re disabled and entitled to Disability Living Allowance (<abbr title="Disability Living Allowance">DLA</abbr>) or Personal Independence Payment (<abbr title="Personal Independence Payment">PIP</abbr>) and have limited capability for work</li> <li>you’re in ‘non-advanced education’ (for example studying for A levels or a BTEC National Diploma), are 21 or under and do not have parental support</li> </ul> <h2 id="if-youve-reached-pension-credit-qualifying-age">If you’ve reached Pension Credit qualifying age</h2> <p>You can only claim if you live with a partner who is eligible for Universal Credit and under <a href="https://www.gov.uk/state-pension-age">Pension Credit qualifying age</a> - you’ll have to make a joint claim.</p> <p>If you prefer, you can make a claim for <a href="/pension-credit">Pension Credit</a> as a couple instead.</p> </div> <nav class="gem-c-pagination" role="navigation" aria-label="Pagination"> <ul class="gem-c-pagination__list" data-module="track-click"> <li class="gem-c-pagination__item gem-c-pagination__item--previous"> <a href="/universal-credit" class="gem-c-pagination__link" rel="prev" data-track-category="contentsClicked" data-track-action="previous" data-track-label="/universal-credit" data-track-dimension="previous" data-track-dimension-index="29"> <span class="gem-c-pagination__link-title"> <svg class="gem-c-pagination__link-icon" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" height="13" width="17" viewBox="0 0 17 13"> <path fill="currentColor" d="m6.5938-0.0078125-6.7266 6.7266 6.7441 6.4062 1.377-1.449-4.1856-3.9768h12.896v-2h-12.984l4.2931-4.293-1.414-1.414z"></path> </svg> <span class="gem-c-pagination__link-text"> Previous </span> </span> <span class="gem-c-pagination__link-divider visually-hidden">:</span> <span class="gem-c-pagination__link-label">What Universal Credit is</span> </a> </li> <li class="gem-c-pagination__item gem-c-pagination__item--next"> <a href="/universal-credit/what-youll-get" class="gem-c-pagination__link" rel="next" data-track-category="contentsClicked" data-track-action="next" data-track-label="/universal-credit/what-youll-get" data-track-dimension="next" data-track-dimension-index="29"> <span class="gem-c-pagination__link-title"> <svg class="gem-c-pagination__link-icon" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" height="13" width="17" viewBox="0 0 17 13"> <path fill="currentColor" d="m10.107-0.0078125-1.4136 1.414 4.2926 4.293h-12.986v2h12.896l-4.1855 3.9766 1.377 1.4492 6.7441-6.4062-6.7246-6.7266z"></path> </svg> <span class="gem-c-pagination__link-text"> Next </span> </span> <span class="gem-c-pagination__link-divider visually-hidden">:</span> <span class="gem-c-pagination__link-label">What you'll get</span> </a> </li> </ul> </nav> <div class="app-c-print-link"> <a href="/universal-credit/print" class="app-c-print-link__link" rel="alternate"> Print entire guide </a> </div> </div> |