Business & Growth

Employers and interns get clarity on minimum wage: The government has published guidance providing greater clarity for businesses who offer work experience, placements and internships.  This is part of the Social Mobility Strategy originally announced in April.

Kay review of UK equity markets: Professor John Kay has published a call for evidence paper, launching a consultation exercise to inform his examination of UK equity markets and long-term decision making.

‘Queen of Shops’ Mary Portas visits Rotherham as part of her high street review: The visit is one of a number of events and meetings that Mary is undertaking across the country as part of a Government commissioned independent review into the future of the high street.

Government announces action to tackle rising insurance costs: the government has announced a ban on referral fees, as part of the Government’s commitment to curb compensation culture.

Higher Education & Science

New working group to examine research transparency: David Willetts, Minister for Universities and Science has announced a new independent working group to look at how UK-funded research findings can be broadened for key audiences such as researchers, policy makers and the general public.

Technology Strategy Board Chair candidate announced: Phil Smith, the Chief Executive of Cisco UK & Ireland, has been selected as the preferred candidate to become Chair of the Governing Board of the Technology Strategy Board.

Arts and Humanities Research Council Chair reappointed: David Willetts has announced the reappointment of Sir Alan Wilson as the Chair of the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC).

Further Education & Skills

Boost for employers as apprenticeships red tape is slashed: Skills Minister John Hayes has announced a package of new measures to make it easier for employers to take on large numbers of apprentices.

New skills support to lift jobless out of unemployment: John Hayes, Minister for Further Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning (BIS) and Chris Grayling, Minister for Employment (DWP) have unveiled new measures to help jobseekers to identify needs and learn new skills that will enable them to get back to work.

Intellectual Property

IPO builds international links with Nigeria: The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) has signed a landmark copyright agreement with counterparts from Nigeria. The agreement is the first of its kind between the IPO and an African country, and will improve international cooperation on copyright issues between the two nations.

Award for Chair of Intellectual Property Institute: Minister for Intellectual Property, Baroness Wilcox, congratulated Alison Brimelow, Chair of the Intellectual Property Institute and former President of the European Patent Office (EPO), after she was honoured by the German Federal Government with the award of the Commander’s Cross of the Order of Merit.

Voluntary Gender Equality Reporting

Think, Act, Report: The government has been working with a range of partners to develop a new voluntary framework for gender equality reporting. Businesses and other organisations are being encouraged to sign up to the new framework.

Get Involved

BIS currently has 8 consultations open for comment, including:

'New Challenges, New Chances: next steps in implementing the further education reform programme'

'Revision of the Industrial Development Act 1982'

'Higher Education - Consultation on potential early repayment mechanisms for student loans'