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From this page you can access the latest Government news specifically important to the South East.

Draft Legislative Programme 2008-09
Published: 14/05/08
On 14 May 2008, the Government published 'Preparing Britain for the Future - the Draft Legislative Programme 2008-09', which sets out the UK Government’s plans for legislative and key non-legislative action in next year’s Parliamentary session.

Lord Darzi's NHS Next Stage Review - final report published
Published: 01/07/08
The report sets out a vision for an NHS that will give patients more say through initiatives such as care plans for those with long term conditions and a guarantee that the most effective drugs will be available to all.

£30m Council cash boost for South East Local Business Growth
Published: 26/06/08
Local Government Minister John Healey today confirmed that sixty-six councils in the South East are to share more than £30 million as a reward for successfully promoting economic growth in their areas.

2008 Farming Conference presents good news and fresh challenges
Published: 24/06/08
Over 130 people attended the Conference to hear from key government and agriculture industry experts.

Youth Opportunity Fund and Youth Capital Fund (YOF/YCF) Good Practice sharing event at Guildford YMCA.
Published: 06/06/08
On 3rd June in collaboration with South East Youth Partnership (SEYP), GOSE hosted a Good Practice sharing event at Guildford YMCA.

Peacehaven's Ancient Mound reveals hidden secrets of prehistoric past
Published: 12/05/08
Archaeologists, racing against time to date a burial mound on the cliffs at Peacehaven Heights in East Sussex before it collapses into the sea, have found activity spanning back to 8,000 years BC - the time of some of the island's earliest hunter-gatherers.

Rabies case in quarantine in South East England
Published: 08/05/08
Defra and the Health Protection Agency have carried out a full and thorough investigation following confirmation of rabies on 25 April in a dog which had originated in Sri Lanka and which died of rabies in a UK quarantine facility.

First batch of bluetongue vaccine delivered
Published: 30/04/08
Environment Secretary Hilary Benn today announced that the first batch of Bluetongue vaccine, ordered from Intervet last year, is being released to wholesalers and is ready for distribution to the Protection Zones in England.

Royal accolades for enterprising South East businesses and individuals
Published: 23/04/08
The annual winners and recipients of The Queen's Awards for Enterprise were announced on 21 April, The Queen's birthday.

15 locations shortlisted for the next stage of eco-towns programme
Published: 04/04/08
The country’s first eco-towns took a step closer to becoming reality today as Housing Minister Caroline Flint today announced 15 potential locations will go forward to the next stage, providing the opportunity for a major boost in affordable housing across the country whilst tackling climate change.

Publication of consultation document on SNR
Published: 31/03/08
The Government has today (31 March 2008) published a consultation document on the Review of Sub-National Economic Development and Regeneration. The 12 week consultation will close on 20 June 2008.

The 2007 CPA results were announced on 8 February 2008
Published: 11/02/08
The full report can be viewed via the link below, but the following headlines may be of interest:

Appointments to the London and South East Industrial Development Board
Published: 01/02/08
Three new appointments and three re-appointments have been made to the London and South East Industrial Development Board (LSEIDB):

New report shows older people in South East live long, healthy, disability-free lives
Published: 25/01/08
Older people in the South East region can expect to live longer, healthier, disability-free lives and are in good health compared to the rest of England.

Preventing Radicalisation across the Country
Published: 21/01/08
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith made her first major speech on 17 January about preventing radicalisation across the country.

Consumers Encouraged to Buy Local Produce
Published: 04/12/07
A new website has been launched to make finding local food even easier.

South East transport awarded £649m funding boost
Published: 27/11/07
Passengers, drivers and businesses across the South East are set to benefit from a £649 million investment in local transport over the next three years, Transport Minister Rosie Winterton confirmed today.

New way to look at the Countryside
Published: 22/11/07
Natural England has launched a new online mapping service to increase public awareness of agri-environment schemes that are helping farmers and land managers to conserve our natural environment. These schemes now cover more than half of all farmland in England.

Government Ministers meet the Association of British Insurers to discuss the response to the recent flood events
Published: 03/10/07
Floods Recovery Minister, John Healey, the Economic Secretary to the Treasury, Kitty Ussher, Defra Minister Jonathan Shaw and BERR Minister Pat McFadden today met representatives from the Association of British Insurers (ABI) for a second time to discuss the recovery programme from the summer floods.

Watersure offers a helping hand with metered water bills
Published: 20/09/07
The number of households receiving help with water and sewerage bills increased by 23% over the last year, from 13,200 to more than 16,000, but thousands of families are still paying more than they have to because they have not applied for WaterSure.

Further Case of Foot and Mouth Disease Suspected in Protection Zone
Published: 07/08/07
As part of their surveillance activity within the larger Protection Zone in Surrey, Animal Health have identified a further herd of cattle which have clinical signs of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD). Debby Reynolds, Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO), has therefore ordered their slaughter on suspicion of FMD. Animal Health staff are on site and the cull of the animals will begin as soon as practicable. Samples have been taken to the laboratory for testing to confirm the disease.

Landscape Protection - Proposed South Downs National Park
Published: 27/07/07
The Secretary of State is inviting objections and representations on new issues relating to the South Downs National Park (Designation) Order 2002 (as varied by the South Downs National Park Designation (Variation) Order 2004).

Campaign continues to drive down salt consumption and improve public health
Published: 19/03/07
Food Standards Agency (FSA) publishes new research showing fall in salt intakes

Seven days until tough new phone penalties are introduced
Published: 20/02/07
Motorists caught using a handheld mobile phone while driving face strict new penalties from 27th February. The fixed penalty for drivers, introduced in December 2003, will increase from £30 to £60 and for the first time will include the award of three penalty points.

Internet links

• The Government News Network