Frontline Society

Scotland's sector umbrella SCVO has produced research on how the Future Jobs Fund in Scotland is benefiting communities.

'Future Jobs: Future Communities' provides a snapshot of the impact of over 1,300 jobs created by the Third Sector Consortium. Download in pdf format, 1.13MB.

A radical shake-up of the public sector in Northern Ireland has been put on hold after the NI Executive failed to agree a way forward.

The Review of Public Administration plans are to merge 26 existing councils into eleven, also transferring some powers from central to local government. Next year's local elections will now take place with the old arrangements.

For those interested in the political scene, 'Key Issues for the New Parliament 2010', produced by the House of Commons Library for MPs, is an insight into the huge range of issues that they may be concerned about, and also gives key data.

Campaigners may wish to check if there is a starting point for communicating their issues here. A chunky pdf at 8.42MB.

For the changes to the various rates and allowances from June's Budget, you can refer to the HM Treasury press release (pdf, 75KB) at http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/d/junebudget_press_notice2.pdf, but HM Revenue and Customs Budget pages are probably a better reference, http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/budget2010/index.htm.

The Thomson Reuters Foundation, the charity behind the AlertNet website, has launched TrustLaw, providing an online matching service for pro bono legal work around the world and also "the first international information hub on anti-corruption and governance issues".

TrustLaw Connect will put NGOs or social entrepreneurs in touch with leading law firms with specialist skills which are prepared to give pro bono advice. http://www.trust.org/trustlaw/home/.

The first Co-operatives Fortnight, set up by Co-operatives UK, started on Saturday 19th June. As part of this they are launching a series of think pieces and reports on co-operation, starting with 'Co-operative streets: Neighbours in the UK'. This compares the results of an online survey with a similar exercise (not online!) from 1982 and their news item gives some interesting statistics, at http://www.thereisanalternative.coop/node/7614.

A work shadowing day between civil servants and charity workers, 'A Day in the Life' is organised by NCVO's Forum for Change and Compact Voice. Following a pilot in September 2009, more government departments are involved with the latest round.

It is open to all voluntary and community sector staff in England but will be particularly relevant to those who have regular contact with government departments and are looking to improve how they work with, and influence, civil servants.

Chief executives body ACEVO has set up a new Cutswatch website, at http://www.cutswatch.org.uk, "to provide guidance and support to third sector organisations through public spending cuts". It will provide news, case studies and other information on how to cope with cuts, and is open to further suggestions on what to include.