Policy Announcements, Thursday 09 August

Government  

• The government has announced a crackdown on advertising by about 1,000 gambling websites operating from overseas. Regulations being laid in Parliament on Thursday mean that when the Gambling Act 2005 comes into force on September 1, companies operating from outside the European Economic Area will be banned form advertising in the UK. Sites such as William Hill Casino, Betfred Casino and Littlewoodscasino.com are all based in what are called "non-white listed jurisdictions", where regulations do not meet UK standards.  
• People with learning disabilities are to be moved from institutions into their own homes under government plans unveiled on Thursday. Health minister Ivan Lewis announced £175m funding in capital grant allocations to help rehouse the 1,600 people with learning difficulties currently living in NHS "campuses". The government said that, as well as limiting their independence, this can stifle social development and affect quality of life. In line with the white paper, 'Our health, our care, our say', the scheme will see residential homes in their current form moved "into the community" by 2010.