Archive
Research project on the impact of anti-dumping investigations on UK business: final report
Research project on the impact of anti-dumping investigations on UK business: final report (PDF)
Report for BIS that analyses the impact of anti-dumping investigations and procedures on UK business. Based on a survey of UK companies. See also URN 12/1021AN for a graphical representations of the data collected in the report.
World Cities Culture Report 2012
World Cities Culture Report 2012 (PDF)
Source: Mayor of London (UK)
The Mayor of London’s World Cities Culture Report 2012 is the biggest international survey of its kind. It has collected an unprecedented amount of data on the scope and impact of the cultural assets and activities that are produced and consumed in 12 major cities:
Berlin
Istanbul
Johannesburg
London
Mumbai
New York
Paris
São Paulo
Shanghai
Singapore
Sydney
Tokyo
Using 60 indicators and reports from each of the participating cities, the World Cities Culture Report 2012 shows that culture is seen as important as finance and trade and sits at the heart of public policy.
Comparisons of disparities and risks of HIV infection in black and other men who have sex with men in Canada, UK, and USA: a meta-analysis
Source: The Lancet
Background
We did a meta-analysis to assess factors associated with disparities in HIV infection in black men who have sex with men (MSM) in Canada, the UK, and the USA.
Methods
We searched Embase, Medline, Google Scholar, and online conference proceedings from Jan 1, 1981, to Dec 31, 2011, for racial comparative studies with quantitative outcomes associated with HIV risk or HIV infection. Key words and Medical Subject Headings (US National Library of Medicine) relevant to race were cross-referenced with citations pertinent to homosexuality in Canada, the UK, and the USA. Data were aggregated across studies for every outcome of interest to estimate overall effect sizes, which were converted into summary ORs for 106 148 black MSM relative to 581 577 other MSM.
Finding
We analysed seven studies from Canada, 13 from the UK, and 174 from the USA. In every country, black MSM were as likely to engage similarly in serodiscordant unprotected sex as other MSM. Black MSM in Canada and the USA were less likely than other MSM to have a history of substance use (odds ratio, OR, 0·53, 95% CI 0·38–0·75, for Canada and 0·67, 0·50–0·92, for the USA). Black MSM in the UK (1·86, 1·58–2·18) and the USA (3·00, 2·06–4·40) were more likely to be HIV positive than were other MSM, but HIV-positive black MSM in each country were less likely (22% in the UK and 60% in the USA) to initiate combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) than other HIV-positive MSM. US HIV-positive black MSM were also less likely to have health insurance, have a high CD4 count, adhere to cART, or be virally suppressed than were other US HIV-positive MSM. Notably, despite a two-fold greater odds of having any structural barrier that increases HIV risk (eg, unemployment, low income, previous incarceration, or less education) compared with other US MSM, US black MSM were more likely to report any preventive behaviour against HIV infection (1·39, 1·23–1·57). For outcomes associated with HIV infection, disparities were greatest for US black MSM versus other MSM for structural barriers, sex partner demographics (eg, age, race), and HIV care outcomes, whereas disparities were least for sexual risk outcomes.
Interpretation
Similar racial disparities in HIV and sexually transmitted infections and cART initiation are seen in MSM in the UK and the USA. Elimination of disparities in HIV infection in black MSM cannot be accomplished without addressing structural barriers or differences in HIV clinical care access and outcomes.
UK — The fourth work-life balance employee survey
The fourth work-life balance employee survey (PDF)
Source: Department for Business Innovation & Skills
Provides findings on the fourth work-life balance employees’ survey conducted in early 2011. It benchmarks key policy changes since the 2006 survey (URN 07/714X), including the Work and Families Act 2006, that is the extension of the ‘right to request’ flexible working to parents of children under the age of 17 (2009) and to co-resident carers (2007).
UK — Securing the 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic Games
Securing the 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic Games
Source: Home Office
The Home Office is responsible for ensuring the 2012 Olympic Games is safe and secure. Find out about our plans for Olympic security and other work to make the Games a success.
Reach for the skies: a strategic vision for UK aerospace
Reach for the skies: a strategic vision for UK aerospace (PDF)
Source: Department for Business Innovation & Skills
A joint report from industry and government identifying the huge opportunity for growth in the UK aerospace sector, and the threat of increasing competition from established and developing nations.
UK — Open Data White Paper: Unleashing the Potential
Open Data White Paper: Unleashing the Potential
Source: Cabinet Office
Today we publish our Open Data command paper, which sets out how we’re putting data and transparency at the heart of government and public services.
We’re making it easier to access public data; easier for data publishers to release data in standardised, open formats; and engraining a ‘presumption to publish’ unless specific reasons (such as privacy or national security) can be clearly articulated.
From the Prime Minister down, central Government is committed to making Open Data an effective engine of economic growth, social wellbeing, political accountability and public service improvement.
Celebrate safely – ABI publishes guide on organising street parties and other events
Celebrate safely – ABI publishes guide on organising street parties and other events
Source: Association of British Insurers
With over 3,500 applications made so far to local authorities alone for street parties to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, this year looks set to be a bumper year for celebrations. To help party organisers ensure that events run smoothly, whether on public or private land or in your own home, the ABI has produced a guide.
‘Celebrate – An ABI guide to planning an event’ sets out what party organisers need to know, including:
- Things to consider about your venue, such as is it safe for the number of people you expect, are outdoor activities involved, such as bouncy castles, and what fire aid will be available.
- If planning a street party, steps you need to take, including contacting your local council.
- Any requirements for public liability insurance and how this cover can help party organisers protect against things that could go wrong.
The equality strategy – building a fairer Britain: progress report
The equality strategy – building a fairer Britain: progress report
Source: Home Office
The equality strategy sets out the government’s vision for a strong, modern and fair Britain. It is built on two principles of equality – equal treatment and equal opportunity. This means building a society where no one is held back because of who they are, or where they come from.
This progress report describes how the government’s new approach to equality, which is based on transparency, local accountability and reducing bureaucracy, is beginning to make a difference across the five key priority areas outlined in the equality strategy.
UK — The Drug Data Warehouse: Linking data on drug misusers and drug-misusing offenders
Home Office Research Report 63 introduces the Drug Data Warehouse, a newly created database that anonymously links a range of drug treatment and criminal justice datasets on drug misusers. It provides a unique overview of drug misusers’ activity across the Criminal Justice System and drug treatment in a way which has not been done before. The Drug Data Warehouse is a resource to aid understanding of the complexity of drug misusers’ contact with services in turn informing their effective management.The report also presents findings from initial, descriptive analysis on levels of drug use of different groups of individuals within the Drug Data Warehouse as well as the different treatment and criminal justice groups which individuals have contact with.
Building a British Model of Integration in an Era of Immigration: Policy Lessons for Government
Despite experiencing large-scale immigration flows and settlement over the past half century, the United Kingdom has not developed a formal integration program. Few public policies have specifically sought to advance immigrant integration, and the political debates surrounding immigrant integration have often been fraught and destabilizing, reflecting deep-seated ambivalence in British society about immigrants and immigration. The authors offer a menu of policy options and actions the government should consider to achieve a well-thought-out approach.
UK — Call to End Violence Against Women and Girls
There were over 1 million female victims of domestic abuse in England and Wales in the last year. Over 300,000 women are sexually assaulted and 60,000 women are raped each year. Overall in the UK, more than one in four women will experience domestic abuse in their lifetime, often with years of psychological abuse, Worldwide violence against women and girls can be a problem of pandemic proportions. This is unacceptable.The vast majority of these violent acts are perpetrated by men on women. In 2009/10, women were the victim of over seven out of ten (73%) incidents of domestic violence. More than one third (36%) of all rapes recorded by the police are committed against children under 16 years of age. This is unacceptable.Internationally, findings in a number of developing countries suggest that violence against women and girls is significant and is often endemic. Between 40% and 60% of women surveyed in Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Peru, Samoa, Thailand and Tanzania said that they had been physically and/ or sexually abused by their close partners. This is unacceptable.
Effects of the Recession on Public Mood in the UK
Large scale analysis of social media content allows for real time discovery of macro-scale patterns in public opinion and sentiment. In this paper we analyse a collection of 484 million tweets generated by more than 9.8 million users from the United Kingdom over the past 31 months, a period marked by economic downturn and some social tensions. Our findings, besides corroborating our choice of method for the detection of public mood, also present intriguing patterns that can be explained in terms of events and social changes. On the one hand, the time series we obtain show that periodic events such as Christmas and Halloween evoke similar mood patterns every year. On the other hand, we see that a significant increase in negative mood indicators coincide with the announcement of the cuts to public spending by the government, and that this effect is still lasting. We also detect events such as the riots of summer 2011, as well as a possible calming effect coinciding with the run up to the royal wedding.
UK — Human Trafficking: The Government’s Strategy
Human trafficking destroys lives and its effects damage communities. The transport and exploitation of vulnerable men, women and children by predatory organised criminal groups is something that no civilised country should tolerate. We need to do more to stop this horrific crime.The UK has a good record in tackling human trafficking. That is something we must build on. Our new strategy for tackling human trafficking has four key aims: international action to stop trafficking happening in the first place; a stronger border at home to stop victims being brought into the UK; tougher law enforcement action to tackle the criminal gangs that orchestrate the crime; and improved identification and care for the victims of trafficking.Human trafficking is a truly international crime, with potential victims identified from over 80 different countries to date. We are determined to work more closely with our international partners in transit and source countries to stop this terrible crime. By applying to opt in to the EU Directive on human trafficking, we have demonstrated our commitment to working with other countries in Europe to drive up standards across the continent in tackling trafficking. This is particularly important as we head towards the Olympics and Paralympics in 2012. Monitoring intelligence will help us to respond quickly and appropriately to any potential increased risk of trafficking.After being taken from a source country and transiting third countries, victims of trafficking must then cross the UK border. For too long our response at the border has not been well enough informed or coordinated. Fulfilling a key pledge in the Programme for Government, in June I announced that we would establish a new National Crime Agency (NCA) containing a dedicated Border Policing Command to strengthen our borders and help prevent human trafficking and other serious crimes.A further aspect of preventing trafficking is to take tough action against the organised criminals who run the abhorrent trade in human beings. Again, the NCA will have a key role by using its enhanced intelligence capabilities and its coordination and tasking functions to target the organised criminal groups involved in human trafficking.As well as increasing prevention, we are also committed to further improving the level of support for victims. Victims of trafficking have been deceived and exploited. They will undoubtedly be frightened and vulnerable. We must therefore do all we can to support them as they try to rebuild their lives. Recognising the importance of this area, we have protected the level of funding at £2 million per year for the next two years, even at a time when savings have to be made across Government.The National Referral Mechanism provides a way for all agencies such as the police, the UK Border Agency, local authorities and Non-Governmental Organisations to cooperate, share information about potential victims, identify those victims and facilitate their access to advice, accommodation and support. We are making the National Referral Mechanism more accessible and I am delighted that the NSPCC and Barnardo’s have recently joined and are now able to help child victims of trafficking to get the help they need.The Government’s commitment to tackling human trafficking is clear and unequivocal. Our strategy will give a renewed focus on prevention overseas, a stronger border at home, tougher action on the perpetrators and better identification and care for the victims. These measures will make a real difference to the lives of those at risk of human trafficking.
UK — Individual Disengagement from Al Qa’ida-Influenced Terrorist Groups: A Rapid Evidence Assessment to Inform Policy and Practice in Preventing Terrorism
The project looks at why and how individuals stop being violent and what can we learn from other areas that has relevance for Prevent, including whether there are intervention practices we can learn from.
Maternity special: How birth was hijacked
So you want kids, do you? At the Ecologist, we’re not going to preach about the impending population bomb, and its devastating impact on scarce resources and the earth’s changing climate. At least, not for now. No, we want to talk about the joys of having children. Becoming a parent is the beginning of the roller coaster ride of a lifetime. But when the thrill is gone, we’re left with worry and white knuckles. Childbirth, one of life’s most empowering experiences, has been hijacked. It’s become institutionalised, taken over by technology, exiled from communities into hospitals and overhyped on TV dramas by scare-mongering pundits.As we don’t see it happening in our daily lives – around two per cent of births in England are home births – it is no longer part of our communities. This means that, especially for women, what we know about childbirth, before we experience it ourselves, is through stories. And stories are primarily about fear.
UK — Participation rates in higher education: academic years 2006/2007 – 2010/2011 (provisional)
Participation rates in higher education: academic years 2006/2007 – 2010/2011 (provisional) (PDF)
Source: Department for Business Innovation & Skills
Statistical first release that provides the latest provisional initial participation rates for 17-30 year old English domiciled first-time participants at UK higher education Institutions, English, Welsh and Scottish further education Colleges. Published alongside a historical time series, and includes a brief explanation of the trends.
The Online Romance Scam: A Serious Cybercrime
The Online Romance Scam: A Serious Cybercrime
Source: Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking
The Online Romance Scam is a relatively new form of fraud that became apparent in about 2008. In this crime, criminals pretend to initiate a relationship through online dating sites then defraud their victims of large sums of money. This paper presents some descriptive statistics about knowledge and victimization of the online dating romance scam in Great Britain. Our study found that despite its newness, an estimated 230,000 British citizens may have fallen victim to this crime. We conclude that there needs to be some rethinking about providing avenues for victims to report the crime or at least making them more comfortable when doing so.
UK trade performance across markets and sectors
UK trade performance across markets and sectors (PDF)
Source: Department for Business Innovation & Skills
Overview of UK trade, how it has grown in recent years, and in which markets and sectors the UK has the strongest market share. Analyses trade patterns, considers how UK performance compares to key competitor countries and looks at increasing competition from South-South trade. Assesses why certain patterns emerge, and where UK performance could be improved. Also looks at the shape of future global demand, and where to reap the greatest benefits from trade growth.
