Policy Announcements, Thursday 08 March

Government

• The government is preparing to publish "a clear programme for further reforms" of public services. At Thursday's cabinet meeting the prime minister introduced the work of one of six policy reviews set up last October. The reviews, which looked at areas including criminal justice and the environment, are intended to guide ministers and departments as they devise future policy. The prime minister's official spokesman said the reviews would start being published this month.
• Heritage Protection for the 21st century - Tessa Jowell publishes Government white paper that proposes a 'simpler and more efficient system'. A vision of a unified and simpler heritage protection system, with more opportunities for public involvement, and set firmly within the wider planning system, was unveiled today by Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell.