News From The Government 
Tackling dangerous driving
A crackdown on the menace of reckless driving has been announced as Labour’s Road Safety Minister Jim Fitzpatrick unveiled proposals to tackle drink and drug drivers and other dangers on Britain’s roads. A major consultation on road safety sets out Labour's plans to crack down on drug and drink driving and how changes in the law can play a role in combating this menace. It also examines the need for tougher penalties and other changes to make it easier for police to tackle reckless driving and cut the 3,000 road deaths that take place in Britain each year. Independent research shows that 1 in 5 drivers killed in accidents may have an impairing drug in their system. Specific proposals include: * exploring whether a new offence should be created to bring drug driving more into line with drink driving * a major publicity campaign on drug driving * improved training and equipment to help the police better enforce the current drug driving law * £2 million for new digital breath testing equipment * seeking views and evidence on the question of reducing the legal alcohol limit Labour’s Road Safety Minister, Jim Fitzpatrick said: "Britain has one of the best road safety records in the world and the number of people killed or hurt has fallen dramatically in the last decade. But too many people are still dying on our roads. "To tackle this we must crack down on the most dangerous drivers - the selfish minority whose reckless behaviour...

Jacqui Smith on tackling demand for prostitution
Jacqui Smith write exclusively for labour.org.uk on tackling demand for prostitution. Today I am publishing the findings of the Government’s six month review into tackling demand for prostitution outlining tough new measures to crack down on sex buyers and kerb crawlers as well as giving police new powers to close down brothels. I want to do everything I can to protect vulnerable women. That is why I am determined to shift the focus onto the sex buyer, the person responsible for creating the demand for prostitution markets which in turn creates demand for the vile trade of women to be trafficked for sexual exploitation. I am outlining measures to protect women who have been groomed or trafficked into prostitution or for those who remain involved for fear of violence from a partner or pimp. There will be a new criminal offence of paying for sex with someone who is trafficked or pimped so that even if a punter claims he did not know the woman was being controlled for gain they will still be liable for prosecution. I want to send a clear message to force men to think twice before sex and make it clear that if they pay for sex with someone who has been controlled or exploited, they face a criminal record and a hefty fine. At the moment, only persistent kerb-crawling is outlawed. In my book, once around the block is once too many - and so I’m making kerb-crawling punishable as a...

Deal secures better access to drugs for patients
The Labour Government has finalised a deal with the pharmaceutical industry that will allow more patients to benefit from a wider range of drug treatments at a fair cost to the NHS. The flexible pricing scheme agreed will cut the price of many drugs to the NHS while encouraging continued innovation in the industry – allowing patients to have faster access to new medicines which are clinically and cost effective. The agreement with the industry will produce: * a 3.9 per cent price cut in the cost of drugs sold to the NHS in February 2009 * a further price cut of 1.9 per cent in January 2010 * a new scheme providing stability and predictability in Pharmaceutical Pricing for the next 5 years * new pricing arrangements that will enable drug companies to supply drugs to the NHS at lower initial prices – with higher prices later if value is proven * action to support innovation in drug creation Labours Health Secretary, Alan Johnson said: "A more flexible approach to pricing is in everyone's interest. It gets clinically and cost effective drugs to more patients - providing cheaper options where clinically appropriate - delivers value for money for the NHS and the tax payer, and creates a better market for the pharmaceutical industry while supporting research and innovation. "Patient access schemes together with flexible pricing of pharmaceuticals will also enable the NHS to offer more patients a wider range of more expensive drugs as recommended by the National Cancer...

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