Author Archives: wendy
Norman Lamb, King’s Fund – Integration
Transforming Local Services
A reshuffle is a strange thing.
I’ve followed the health reforms pretty closely so I’m relatively up to speed.
But often, new ministers find themselves in departments where they know only the bare bones of the policy. And they’re expected to turn themselves into experts overnight.
I’ve been an MP long enough to hear my fair share of new ministers read out speeches in the Commons and clearly have absolutely no idea what they’re talking about. The crueller members of the opposition can sometimes make it a bit of a trial for them.
But the machinations of government can’t just creak to a halt as the new people find their way around. So new ministers rely on ever-present civil servants to guide them. They rely on ministers who haven’t been reshuffled to keep a hand on the tiller. And they rely on their fellow new ministers to be conscientious, decisive and creative about their own parts of the portfolio.
Guernsey respite centre closes to adults
A Guernsey respite centre for those with physical and learning difficulties will close to adults at the end of the year.
Users of The Croft, in St Sampson, were told in a letter sent last week.
Health Minister Hunter Adam said his department would be meeting with those who required respite care and their carers to discuss the future.
He said the aim was to find out what type of care was needed and provide it in “a more appropriate manner”.
The centre, which is a six-bed residential unit, will continue to provide short breaks for children.
Deputy John Gollop, the States Disability Champion, said he understood the change came from a need to separate children and adults in needs of care.
Benefits changes: Universal Credit system warning
Seventy organisations involved in the benefits system have raised concerns about a government overhaul.
9 September 2012 Last updated at 09:06
The Universal Credit aims to make the system simpler by replacing five work-based benefits with one benefit.
The groups are worried about moving to monthly payments, access to an online system and whether a new IT system will be ready by an October 2013 deadline.
The government says managing the system online will save money, and that the new benefit is set to come in on time.
Ministers have said they are determined to reform the system, so it pays people to work rather than claim benefits.
Written evidence, seen by BBC Radio 4’s The World This Weekend, was submitted to the House of Commons Work and Pensions Committee by organisations representing councils, charities, trades unions, business groups and housing organisations.
