The Week, 10 August 2018
This week, Jeremy Wright MP, Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, and Tracey Crouch MP, Civil Society Minister, launched the Government’s Civil Society Strategy. It sets out plans for departments to factor in “social value” when commissioning services, such as how it will impact economic, social and environmental well-being. David Lidington MP, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, had put forward similar objectives in a speech to Reform in June.
Luke Heselwood, Researcher
Reformer of the Week
David Gauke MP, Secretary of State for Justice, for piloting a new scheme that orders offenders with mental health, alcohol and drugs issues to use health services, rather than short-term prison sentences, to tackle reoffending.
Good week for…
EdTech
On Tuesday, Damian Hinds MP, Secretary of State for Education, called for an “education revolution” by harnessing new technology. In June, Reform published a report showing how EdTech can help to close the opportunity gap.
Local democracy
On Wednesday, the Civil Society Strategy announced its ‘Innovation in Democracy’ programme. The pilot, launched across six regions, will give people a more direct role in decisions that affect their communities.
Bad week for…
Unrealistic contracts
On Monday, it was reported that the Ministry of Justice agreed to pay £500m to private companies whose probation contracts will end early—in part because of unrealistic targets. In the next round of contracts, the Government is hoping to learn from this experience and offer different terms
Over-30’s health
On Tuesday, research from Outcomes Based Healthcare concluded that a fifth of people in England cannot expect good health beyond their 30th birthday.
Quotes of the Week
“By forging a strong partnership between government, technology innovators and the sector, we can transform how education is delivered for the learners of today and tomorrow.” Damian Hinds MP, writing in the Telegraph on Tuesday. “If ministers are serious about tackling Theresa May’s ‘burning injustices’ they would start with a step-change in priority and focus on boosting social mobility in the early years to tackle disadvantage, close the school readiness gap, and promote social justice.” Luciana Berger MP and Lucy Powell MP, writing in The Times on Tuesday. “I hope Britain’s businesses will join government and civil society in a common mission to make a stronger, fairer country for all of us.” Jeremy Wright MP, writing in The Times on Thursday.
Reform’s Week
Reformer Blog
On Tuesday, Dr Philip Xiu, Chief Medical Officer at Medicalchain, published a blog outlining how blockchain can help patients take ownership of their electronic health records.