Whitehall Headlines for the East Midlands

Department for Environment, Food And Rural Affairs - Lincolnshire Fresh Start academy gives hope to local agricultural businesses
The launch of the Lincolnshire Fresh Start Academy at the University of Lincoln's Riseholme College was hailed a success with more than 70 people from the farming industry attending.

Ministry of Justice - Jack Straw to open Nottingham's permanent Speakers' Corner
Nottingham residents are being urged to have their say about local and global issues by Justice Secretary Jack Straw who will be opening Nottingham's permanent Speakers' Corner on Thursday 5 February.

Ministry of Justice - Stop unnecessary staking in Cemeteries says Minister
Too many burial grounds operators are staking or laying down memorials which are not a serious risk to the public. New guidance published by Justice Minister Bridget Prentice makes it clear this should only be done as a last resort.

New Opportunities White Paper briefing
Urban Forum has produced a briefing on the New Opportunities White Paper. The paper sets out the Government's plans for ensuring that everyone has a fair chance of fulfilling their potential irrespective of social background. Various measures are proposed to support the most disadvantaged to break out of poverty by securing jobs traditionally occupied by the middle classes.

Participatory Budgeting Strategy
The National Strategy for Participatory Budgeting (PB) has recently been published. The strategy sets how the Government aims to achieve its ambition of PB being used in every local authority area by 2012. Urban Forum has produced a briefing which you can read here.

Communities and Local Government  - £18 million deal approved to buy further new homes for affordable housing
Published: 09/01/09
An £18 million deal to provide more affordable housing and help support industry is being announced today, as part of the Government's programme of action to tackle current difficulties in the housing market.