Driving Growth & Business

New Manufacturing Advisory Service launched: A new national programme which will focus on helping small and medium manufacturing businesses to grow has officially launched, announced by Business Minister Mark Prisk and the Manufacturing Advisory Consortium.

Retirement of Sir Kevin Smith from GKN plc: Business Secretary Vince Cable has commented on the forthcoming retirement of Sir Kevin Smith as Chief Executive of GKN plc.

Banking structure reform: The Government has published its response to the report by the Independent Commission on Banking, which sets out plans to fundamentally reform the structure of banking in the UK.

Science & Technology

Research Council impact reports: Universities and Science Minister David Willetts has released a series of reports on the impact of Research Council funding during a speech at Policy Exchange.

David Willetts' speech: Read David Willetts' speech given at Policy Exchange, in which he argues that our greatest national assets - our universities, our science facilities and researchers - are the best single hope for making our way in the high-tech world of the future, creating jobs and opportunities and boosting high tech economic growth.

Green Economy

Calling for a WEEE bit of recycling: Three quarters of old electrical items end up in a landfill. A campaign was launched on Boxing Day, which shows the benefits of recycling and helps the public find their nearest recycling point.

Future of wave hub is secured: The offshore marine energy project in Cornwall, which allows developers to test new wave energy technology, will be taken on by the Government to secure its future as a vital part of the UK's green energy sources.

Regulation

Red Tape Challenge: The website has had 27,058 comments so far. The Disruptive Business Models theme closes this January. Housing, Construction and Planning Administration and Company and Commercial Law are the two themes remaining to be launched.

Get Involved

BIS currently has 5 consultations open for comment, including:

• Call for evidence - On EU proposals on Alternative Dispute Resolution
• Call for evidence – Collective Redundancy Consultation Rules
• Call for evidence – Effectiveness of transfer of undertakings (protection of employment - TUPE) regulations 2006