WEEK 4 SEMINAR by SIOBHAN J WHITE https://padlet.com/ske22/q4tdqxgngxbh GROUP 2 @12-1 en-us 2017-10-11 14:45:09 UTC 2026-01-09 03:04:24 UTC hello@padlet.com Siobhan J White ske22 https://padlet.com/ske22/q4tdqxgngxbh/wish/196054502 Hi
Post your reforms here and identify which accountabilities they are staisfying!]]> 2017-10-11 14:47:09 UTC https://padlet.com/ske22/q4tdqxgngxbh/wish/196054502 Maz(Mario Reforms https://padlet.com/ske22/q4tdqxgngxbh/wish/197444433 I would argue that the following approach that I detail further below is social accountability. This is because the approach of Edinburgh is influenced by corporate social responsibility. I refer to the publicly owned energy company being planned by Edinburgh, with the arguments from the government including there being different ways of improving 'consumer value' that carried less risk to the public purse.

Yes this is indeed a social accountability in many different ways.  There is also an element of financial and politcal accountability i.e ppeople may have voted on promises that have to carried out!]]> 2017-10-16 16:24:53 UTC https://padlet.com/ske22/q4tdqxgngxbh/wish/197444433 Numan Khalid - Tax on Age https://padlet.com/ske22/q4tdqxgngxbh/wish/197752262 A reform that has not been put in place but has been discussed by Philip Hammond is a “tax on age” proposal. This is where a tax break would occur for young employees in their 20s and 30s which would involve slashing tax relief on pensions for older workers. Although this could be highly beneficial for the younger generation, it will deeply affect the aging demographic of Conservative voters. This reform could make it easier for young people to buy a house but could alienate the existing voters. Overall, this idea could fall into the category of both social and political accountability. It can be seen to be social due to wanting to attract and help young people but does not consider older people. The main reason for this proposal is to attract younger voters, which Jeremy Corbyn has been able to do, and this could be seen as political accountability due to the Chancellor facing pressure in his job.

]]> 2017-10-17 12:58:19 UTC https://padlet.com/ske22/q4tdqxgngxbh/wish/197752262 Emma Monaghan - Airline and Travel Insurance Reform https://padlet.com/ske22/q4tdqxgngxbh/wish/197897677 The government plans to introduce reforms to let financially stricken airlines keep flying, and protect passengers from being stranded by a sudden collapse.  The reform is hoped to allow airlines to wind down in an orderly manner and look after their customers instead of being grounded when becoming insolvent.  This came after Labour party and unions demanded a full investigation into Monarch’s failure.
Monarch airline was placed into administration which left 110,000 customers stranded abroad and 750,000 future bookings cancelled. Most customers had no protection under the Atol scheme, which covers people who book with holiday companies, or travel insurance.  The reform would also attempt to change the insurance industry by expanding the Atol scheme and general travel insurance to cover airline collapse.
The accountability is to the customers who will suffer as a result of airlines going into administration, therefore it is social accountability.  The accountability is also to the unions as they demanded an investigation which means it could also be political accountability as the travel minister had pressure to meet the obligations placed on him.

Interesting step by the government to protct all. Some financial accountability as well.Maybe ethical aspects also??t
]]> 2017-10-17 16:40:55 UTC https://padlet.com/ske22/q4tdqxgngxbh/wish/197897677 Carol Ward- Universal credit https://padlet.com/ske22/q4tdqxgngxbh/wish/198138524 A topical debate, piloted in 2013 and set to be completed by 2017, bringing 6 benefits together in one Universal credit. The idea to support working families and encourage more hours worked. Roll on 2017 and today twitter is awash with posts and it is still being debated in Parliament. Surrounded by controversy as delays and admin blockages forcing low income families to face eviction or rely on food banks. Initial claimants waiting a minimum 42 days to be processed. A reform that has went wrong with it's design and implementation. What began as Financial accountability is now a huge Social accountability!]]> 2017-10-18 09:13:40 UTC https://padlet.com/ske22/q4tdqxgngxbh/wish/198138524 Abdul Rahman Zulfiqar – Off-payroll workers in the public sector, reform of legislation. https://padlet.com/ske22/q4tdqxgngxbh/wish/198141710 The reform of the legislation known as “IR35” or the “intermediaries’ legislation” which was announced in 2016 and came into effect in the new tax year, 6th April 2017, ensures that employees who pay tax and national insurance contributions are not disadvantaged by off-payroll workers, and the body that recruits the off-payroll worker will be responsible for determining whether this legislation applies. NHS employers, for example, will have to consider whether off-payroll working rules apply when recruiting a worker through a personal services company. The accountability now lies less with the employee and more with these public authorities who must operate in a manner which does not disadvantage anyone paying employment taxes to HMRC. 

]]> 2017-10-18 09:28:14 UTC https://padlet.com/ske22/q4tdqxgngxbh/wish/198141710 Ryan Romillie- Executive pay reform https://padlet.com/ske22/q4tdqxgngxbh/wish/198168845 Theresa May vowed to bring the Tories back to its for glory 'as a party for workers'. The aim of executive pay reform is too clamp down on executives 'excessive' pay give more power to shareholders in the boardroom. Furthermore the reform would require organisations to disclose highest level of pay in organisation and justify it, comparing the pay to the lowest level of pay in the organisation. Philip Hammond also expressed  the need for workers to more involved in the board. This reform is political accountability, in particular consultative accountability as pressure groups such as workers unions in recent years have continuously argued the pay gap between executives and workers is significantly unfair. However this reform could also come under the ethical accountability due to the fact part of the issue involves treatment of staff.  ]]> 2017-10-18 11:46:00 UTC https://padlet.com/ske22/q4tdqxgngxbh/wish/198168845 Amanda Reilly - Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund https://padlet.com/ske22/q4tdqxgngxbh/wish/198233342 The Scottish government is to establish a fund to provide investment in infrastructure to support sustainable growth in rural tourism in Scotland. £6mill will be invested over 2 years 18/19 and 19/20 into Scotland's islands and rural communities to ensure services and facilities such as parking, camping areas, recycling points and footpath access. the fund will take bids from communities and will work with local councils to supports projects that enable more people to enjoy Scotland.  There is an element of political accountability due to the nature of each awarding council overseeing the funds.  financial accountability because each community has to bid for the funds so must show how they will spend.  Finally social accountability, this is to help make communities better and more equipped to deal with and attract more tourism & money into the area creating jobs and increasing local businesses. 
  ]]> 2017-10-18 13:57:19 UTC https://padlet.com/ske22/q4tdqxgngxbh/wish/198233342 Amanda https://padlet.com/ske22/q4tdqxgngxbh/wish/198233416 2017-10-18 13:57:24 UTC https://padlet.com/ske22/q4tdqxgngxbh/wish/198233416 Amie Strannigan - Council Shared Services Reform https://padlet.com/ske22/q4tdqxgngxbh/wish/198281007 2017-10-18 15:04:09 UTC https://padlet.com/ske22/q4tdqxgngxbh/wish/198281007 Amie Strannigan https://padlet.com/ske22/q4tdqxgngxbh/wish/198281383 2017-10-18 15:04:31 UTC https://padlet.com/ske22/q4tdqxgngxbh/wish/198281383 Abdul - Rahman Rizwan - Corporate Governance Reform https://padlet.com/ske22/q4tdqxgngxbh/wish/198290847 The government has just announced new laws that will force all listed companies to reveal the pay ratio between it's bosses and workers. The motivation behind this reform is to give workers a voice in the boardroom as there was previous criticism aimed at a small number of businesses as their behaviour had damaged the publics trust in businesses. This reform has an element of hierarchical accountability as the workers can now see the pay to work ratio that their bosses recieve which will highlight to them if they are behaving in an ethical manner. Furthermore, there is also an element of social accountability as the public can now see the pay that is being paid to workers and bosses which will mean that the pay gap will have to be reasonable to satisfy social accountability. Furthermore, there is also an element of financial accountability involved as well as the pay gap between bosses and workers have to be reasonable and ethical.]]> 2017-10-18 15:17:34 UTC https://padlet.com/ske22/q4tdqxgngxbh/wish/198290847 Jenna - Housing Benefit Cap https://padlet.com/ske22/q4tdqxgngxbh/wish/198302981 A reform that has faced a delay is the cap on Housing Benefit and Local Housing Authority (LHA) rates for social housing tenants from April 2019. This will affect the vast majority of housing benefit claimants living in privately rented residences that receive the LHA as housing association rents are typically higher than local authorities. This cap could leave an estimated 21,000 Scottish tenants with a combined rent debt of over £22m. First and foremost, this reform holds financial accountability where the government will provide additional funding to local authorities, so that they can meet the additional costs of supported housing in their area. There is also an element of political accountability and value for money. Lastly, there is legal accountability between the tenants paying their landlord in time despite this cap. ]]> 2017-10-18 15:35:33 UTC https://padlet.com/ske22/q4tdqxgngxbh/wish/198302981 Reform Air Passenger Duty (APD) – Gordon McCorkell https://padlet.com/ske22/q4tdqxgngxbh/wish/198376231
The Scottish government intends to replace APD with a new discounted tax from April next year.  Earlier this year MSPs voted 108 – 11 to replace it with the new Air Departure Tax (ADT).  The tax is applied to flights leaving Scotland and the Scottish government wants to initially cut the new tax by 50% and eventually scrap it completely.  However, there is expected to be disagreement about the new tax rate among MSPs.  The government says the new lower tax will boost the economy by increasing flights to and from the country.  Opponents including the Green party are against it due to the environmental impact of more flights.  This reform links with political accountability within the Scottish parliament, social accountability if it has environmental implications, and financial accountability due to the potential economic boost.  Maybe also corporate accountability if it benefits airlines operating out of Scotland.
]]> 2017-10-18 17:34:23 UTC https://padlet.com/ske22/q4tdqxgngxbh/wish/198376231 Zara Khalid - ‘Business growth accelerator’ Reform https://padlet.com/ske22/q4tdqxgngxbh/wish/198455541 Business rates within Scotland are under review for all newly built properties. The Scottish government has announced that new properties are to be exempt from business rates after being occupied for a year. It is also stated that any increased rates due to newly-improved commercial properties would also be frozen for one year. Finance secretary Derek Mackay is looking to include the policy in the governments draft budget for 2018/2019. This reform refers to political accountability as business owners usually avoid or grudge paying business rates and so the government are acting in the interest of them by introducing this exemption.  There is also a sense of social accountability but in particular commercial accountability as organisations will feel more at ease not having to pay these rates and it aids business growth.  ]]> 2017-10-18 20:35:39 UTC https://padlet.com/ske22/q4tdqxgngxbh/wish/198455541 Stephanie Pasia - Impact Investing Reform https://padlet.com/ske22/q4tdqxgngxbh/wish/198461487 A group of charities and investors, said £2bn of government cash would initiate private sector investment in economically-deprived communities, unlocking “tens of billions” from investors over a five to 10-year period.  The group promotes so-called “impact investing”, which aims to do social or environmental good while also generating a financial return.Michele Giddens, chair of the UK National Advisory Board said parts of the UK were being “left behind”, with some communities suffering decades of under-investment. “The aim” of a £2bn fund would be investment in infrastructure, social housing and training and apprenticeships.  The accountability of the reform is to the people of the economically-deprived communities.]]> 2017-10-18 20:58:43 UTC https://padlet.com/ske22/q4tdqxgngxbh/wish/198461487 Amie Strannigan - Council Shared Services Reform https://padlet.com/ske22/q4tdqxgngxbh/wish/198667916 South Ribble Borough Council has voted in favour of a restructure which would allow further shared services to be developed with a neighbouring council Chorley Borough Council that could result in savings of £400,000. Both councils have a history of pooling services but this reform takes them closer to a fully shared service provision.
There is a need for savings in South Ribble Borough Council as the council’s budgeted deficit is expected to be £2.6 million by 2020. The council has a financial accountability and this reform represents their response to this by proposing a restructuring that will result in savings.
This reform will create savings for the council whilst still providing the best possible services for residents. This reform also demonstrates a value for money accountability as it ensures that residents will still get the best value for their money through the restructuring.
]]> 2017-10-19 13:58:26 UTC https://padlet.com/ske22/q4tdqxgngxbh/wish/198667916 Russell McFadyen - CBI https://padlet.com/ske22/q4tdqxgngxbh/wish/198710003 A potential reform discussed by the Scottish Nationalist Party although haven’t committed to, which seems to be happening with increasing regularity these days, is the nonsensical idea of a universal Citizens Basic Income (CBI). The most obvious form of accountability is financial, something that Holyrood has been fairly light on in the past since any overspend (which has been lots) is plugged by the UK Government, but will hopefully change when the Scottish Executive is forced to take on its own tax-raising duties. The scheme has been costed at £12.3 billion, something the SNP weren’t very keen to share. If it does become the Executive’s policy, then Derek McKay will have his work cut out trying to fit this into his budget, bearing in mind he already runs the Country at a massive deficit. Before it can become legislation, it will have to go through Parliament where it will be scrutinised by the members both in the chamber and in relevant committees. If, God forbid, it becomes an Act of Parliament, when Nicola Sturgeon issues a three-line whip to the Greens, then there may be a political cost at election time, and the First Minister must be increasingly anxious about 2021 as it is. Interestingly, the Scottish Government’s secret briefing actually states that this policy is “unlikely to gain public acceptance”, which I suspect might be the final nail in its coffin. It goes on to mention that it’s also unlikely to have the intended impact the Government wishes. This is important, as one key aspect of all three methods of accountability discussed previously is whether the initiative actually delivers, generally measured by comparing statistics with pre-determined targets upon introduction. Another point is that if the Country can afford the scheme, and if the cost stays within that budgeted, which the SNP aren’t very good at. If it fails on either of these two counts, those responsible are the Finance Secretary if it concerns the numbers, the Social Security Secretary if it is a practical issue with the initiative, and ultimately, the First Minister as head of the Government. 

]]> 2017-10-19 15:06:17 UTC https://padlet.com/ske22/q4tdqxgngxbh/wish/198710003 Yusra Shabkhez- Pay rise cap https://padlet.com/ske22/q4tdqxgngxbh/wish/198762815 SNP announced that the one percent public sector pay rise cap will be lifted for 2018-2019. The future pay policy will take into account the cost of living. A government source said “We need to ensure that future pay rises are affordable, but we also need to reflect the circumstances people are facing, and recognise the contribution made by workers across the public sector.” SNP said that lifting the cap is vital to improve the living standards; also it will assist in recruiting staff for public sector services- mainly the NHS. The two main accountabilities linked with this reform are financial and political accountabilities.  Financial, as it will put pressure on the government to be able to pay more. Political, because Scottish government's devolved power is used to put this reform in place. 

]]> 2017-10-19 16:38:01 UTC https://padlet.com/ske22/q4tdqxgngxbh/wish/198762815 Craig McClure - IR35 Tax Reform https://padlet.com/ske22/q4tdqxgngxbh/wish/198880657 Recently the government have reformed the IR35 system. Changing who determines whether a contactors assignment lay inside or outside IR35, thus what tax both parties should pay. Since the reform in April, public sector bodies have been forced to assume responsibility for determining the IR35 status of the contractor working for them. Prior to April the onus was on the contractor themselves to determine whether their assignment in within or out with IR35. The government claim this has had no effect on the number of contractors working for public sector bodies, however, Transport for London (TfL) have since reported that repairs to the London Underground system will be delayed due to a mass exodus of contactors as a result of IR35. The two main accountabilities linked with this reform are financial and political/social. Financial as the government are trying to collect the right amount of tax, and political/social as the reform has caused issues which the government are now debating and the effects are having a negative impact on the society (repairs taking longer etc).

]]> 2017-10-19 21:20:39 UTC https://padlet.com/ske22/q4tdqxgngxbh/wish/198880657 Sana Rana - Health Secretary discussion of reform for nurse workforce positions and welfare https://padlet.com/ske22/q4tdqxgngxbh/wish/198993546 The Health Secretary has announced a reform for nursing workforces, including an increase of training posts of 25% for nurses and working conditions within the health sector (Gov, 2017). The reform will aim to ensure new routes into the health profession, and ensures the NHS meets the demand of current and long-term future needs of the workforce by employing 5,000 nursing through training apprenticeships in 2018 with a further 7,500 posts trained in 2019; including undergraduate medical school positions to meet the pressures the NHS is facing. The increasing participation and social mobility participation is into response to the high level of demand as quoted by Jeremy Hunt (2017), “The NHS will be looking after a million more over-75s in just a decade, so we need to jump-start nurse training”; however Alan Milburn (2002) also explains the public’s attitude of consumerism on usage upon public health services. The terms of accountability have altered from Public Administration era dealing with primary responsibilities no longer dealing with management policy but more with the management of resources (Gray, Jenkins, 1993) as Romzek (2000) expresses public managers’ duty to increase government efficiency, effectiveness and accountability. There is a hierarchal accountability towards the workforce of nurses based on individual performance levels and welfare of employees of healthcare including the Health Secretary’s explanation of reform to maintain workforce by supplying flexible working to balance work-life commitment and employment. Based on the nature of the forum in healthcare (Bovens, 2007), professional accountability as Romzek describes that have higher degrees of internal values of appropriate practise than political accountability in deliverance of service and duty of care to patients based on social values in terms of New Management Governance. Individual accountability of nurse employment furthermore deals with the liability for their personal contribution to the conduct of the NHS organisation relating professional accountability on deliverance of service performance from actual contribution to the duty of patient care and demand. 

]]> 2017-10-20 10:28:25 UTC https://padlet.com/ske22/q4tdqxgngxbh/wish/198993546 Alexander Taggart-Mental health training for teachers reform https://padlet.com/ske22/q4tdqxgngxbh/wish/199087263 The goverment  has pledged every seceondry school in the country will be offered mental health first aid training by 2020. The teachers and staff across the country are starting training to identify and respond to early signs of mental health problems among pupils.
The training was originally introuduced in january as a way to combat the" hidden injustice" of poor mental health across society.
Around one in ten children are thought to have mental health issues, with half of all mental health conditions begining  before they age of 14, making it vital that children showing signs of mental health issues get the support that they need. 
Research conducted by the national assocation  of schoolmasters union of women teachers found that 98% of teachers had come into contact with pupils who were expeirencing mental health problems, but only 46% reported reciveng  any training on childrens  menatl health.
The programme is backed in the first year by £200,000 in goverment  funding and will start with 1000 staff and be extended in years 2 and 3 to cover every secondary school. The teachers will recevie practical advice on who to deal with issues such as depression, anxiety, sucide, sekf haram and eating disorders.                                                ]]> 2017-10-20 14:53:51 UTC https://padlet.com/ske22/q4tdqxgngxbh/wish/199087263 Haydn Russell - Prison Reform https://padlet.com/ske22/q4tdqxgngxbh/wish/199088616 In a document released by Reform Scotland in August 2017, it discusses the idea that there is a severe lack of opportunity for offenders to undergo proper rehabilitation if sentenced to short term sentences. Despite the Scottish government passing the Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2010 there is still a significant number of prisoners serving sentences of less than three months, which for the year 2016 equated to just over 4000 people or roughly 30% of all sentences for that year. The document calls for an end to sentences of less than six months due to the aforementioned lack of time to properly rehabilitate the offenders. 
This reform would link to financial accountability as if this reform was to be passed as it would theoretically free up a lot of money to help properly rehabilitate other prisoners. It could also be linked to legal accountability as there would need to be a discussion as to how to effectively deal with offenders whose crime would normally result in a short sentence.]]> 2017-10-20 14:56:50 UTC https://padlet.com/ske22/q4tdqxgngxbh/wish/199088616 Calvin McKenna - Parole Reform https://padlet.com/ske22/q4tdqxgngxbh/wish/199106446
The Parole Board for Scotland are the ones who are responsible, in most cases, for making the decisions as to whether an individual is released or not based on a thorough consideration of risk. 
The Scottish Government has committed to improve the effective rehabilitation and reintegration of people who have committed offences and to complete the implementation of the parole reform programme to modernise and improve support for the vital work of the parole board.
According to Michael Matheson MSP, this programme is a combination of structural change, process change and technological improvement and will aim to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.  
The accountability in this case spreads over a number of groups, but the main one arguably being the community as safety must be paramount and also to the parole boards.

]]> 2017-10-20 15:36:36 UTC https://padlet.com/ske22/q4tdqxgngxbh/wish/199106446 Laura McMillan https://padlet.com/ske22/q4tdqxgngxbh/wish/199110545 The Scottish Government has recently passed legislation allowing survivors of childhood abuse to take personal injury actions against the perpetrators of their abuse at any time. Previously there was a time limit of 3 years to bring an action. The Limitation (Childhood Abuse) (Scotland) Act 2017 applies for cases of child abuse taking place since 26th September 1964.
This types of accountability that this legislation comes under are ethical, legal and social accountability. This is due to the reform being an act passed by the government which is aimed at allowing citizens a greater chance of justice for the crimes that were committed against them.]]> 2017-10-20 15:45:47 UTC https://padlet.com/ske22/q4tdqxgngxbh/wish/199110545 https://padlet.com/ske22/q4tdqxgngxbh/wish/294079054 2018-10-17 19:52:17 UTC https://padlet.com/ske22/q4tdqxgngxbh/wish/294079054 https://padlet.com/ske22/q4tdqxgngxbh/wish/294079060 2018-10-17 19:52:18 UTC https://padlet.com/ske22/q4tdqxgngxbh/wish/294079060