Regulation & consumer affairs

Workplace dispute reforms: The Government has announced the next steps in its comprehensive review of employment laws including a new consultation to improve the way in which workplace disputes are resolved. The Government has also launched an Employer's Charter designed to give businesses more confidence to take on workers and support growth.

Response on consultation: The Government has announced that the ‘Bills of Sale’ money lending industry will be working under a new Code of Practice from 1 February 2011.

EU Consumer Credit Directive: Consumers should take advantage of new rights aimed at protecting them and encouraging lenders to act more responsibly, Consumer Minister Edward Davey has said as the Directive came into force.

Business & growth

Board reappointments: Business Minister Mark Prisk has endorsed the reappointment of Professor Chris Higson and Charles Lochrane to the Industrial Development Advisory Board (IDAB).

Higher education & skills

Application figures: University Minister David Willetts has commented on UCAS January 2011 application figures.

Part time study: Employers highly value graduates who gained their qualification while studying and working part time, research published by the BIS and the Higher Education Careers Services Unit reveals.

Fight against unemployment: Skills Minister John Hayes and Employment Minister Chris Grayling visited Brighton to see the help people who are unemployed are getting to return back to work by increasing their skills.

Science & research

Feeding a growing world: A new report from the Foresight project Global Food and Farming Futures examines how a rapidly expanding global population can be fed in a healthy and sustainable way.

Pioneering research: Science Minister David Willetts has announced £7.2 million of investment in a six-year ‘Photonics HyperHighway’ project that could make the internet 100 times faster.

Get involved

The department currently has 7 consultations open. These include:

• Toy safety
• Resolving workplace disputes
• The repeal of the Property Misdescriptions Act 1991