On Monday, the Treasury announced a discussion paper on the civil service green book, which provides guidance on how ministerial proposals should be assessed before committing public money. The discussion paper considers the use of a social cost benefit analysis and recognises the potential value of non-market impacts, for an economic appraisal. The discussion paper opens up the debate, to consider the impact of health, family and subjective wellbeing on people, and ultimately to re-consider the methods for assessing future decisions.

Following the announcements made in the budget, HM Treasury is now inviting views from the sector on lifetime giving. This consultation is part of the wider government commitment to charitable giving agenda and we encourage our members to get in touch with the NCA with comments on the consultation.

The Government published its much anticipated Open Public Services White Paper this week which presses for radical changes to public services. New measures will see public services markets open up, users given more control, and the encouragement of innovation to drive better services for all, which will encourage a wider range of providers of many public services.

Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs are conducting a consultation on “A New Incentive for Charitable Legacies”.

Sharon Hodgson MP (Labour) has been quizzing the Minister of State for Schools on the dwindling numbers of art teachers, and the perceived lack of support for cultural subjects in the curriculum.

On Tuesday, Stella Creasy MP (Labour/Co-op) led a debate in the commons on the importance of heritage.

In response to the recently released Government Giving white paper last week, the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) has compiled an informative response.

On Thursday the jointly commissioned report from BIS and DCMS, which explores the financing of the Creative Industry, was released. The report provides a thorough analysis of the financial variations within the sub sectors of the Creative Industry, the research draws on statistical, as well as, survey evidence from business and financial providers. The Government hopes to use the findings as part of the ongoing, wider development of a Creative Industries Funding Guide.

To read more about the report click here

To read the full report click here

Last Friday, the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) launched the Government’s Local Enterprise Partnership Toolbox,

Last Friday, DCMS published the updated business plan for DCMS, prioritising growth and social mobility within the arts, media and sports.

On Monday, the Cabinet Office outlined proposals for the Big Society Bank. It is hoped that the bank would act as a first port of call for social enterprise groups who are looking for capital funding.

On Tuesday, the Earl of Clancarty took the opportunity to ask what steps the Government were taking to encourage the provision of arts at a local level.

On Tuesday, Business Secretary Vince Cable, Foreign Secretary William Hague and Trade and Investment Minister Lord Green launched a new five-year strategy for UK Trade and Investment (UKTI), alongside the Foreign and Commonwealth’s new Charter.

The Drama and Theatre Manifesto recognizes a common sense of purpose and a shared belief in the contribution drama and theatre makes to the quality of children’s lives in school and beyond.

The Manifesto has been endorsed by these organisations and associations:

Action for Children’s’ Arts (ACA), Equity,   National Association of Teachers of Drama (NATD), National Association of Youth Theatres (NAYT), National Council for Drama Training (NCDT), National Drama (ND), National Operatic and Dramatic Association (NODA), Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC), Theatre Education Forum (TEF), Theatre for Young Audiences (TYA) England

If you are an Organisation, you can send the manifesto on to your members and invite them to incorporate it into their practice and policy and to disseminate it to their students, participants and colleagues.  .

The Manifesto is a call to action to young people, parents, teachers and theatre practitioners to unify their efforts and ensure that young people have access to drama and theatre.

The sense of unity within the sector that the Manifesto represents is only the first step to its usefulness as an effective tool for drawing support and funding to the sector. At a time of cuts, we need to be able to advocate with clarity the successes achieved by the sector as a whole and be able to evidence why our community is of such vital importance to the UK’s cultural, educational and economic life and to the lives of individual children and young people who see or make theatre and drama

Download a copy of the Drama and Theatre Manifesto here

Visit www.dramatheatremanifesto.co.uk for more information

Today bought further announcements on the Red Tape Challenge from DCMS, this time to the hospitality and tourism sectors. Over the next four weeks, between the 6th May and the 20th May, businesses, communities and individuals will have the chance to share their views with Government on the various regulations relating to hospitality, food and drink services. Ministers will then have 3 months in which they must justify which regulations they wish to keep.

The Red Tape Challenge is also inviting views on the current Licensing Act, which deals specifically with the sale and supply of alcohol and live performances.

The consultation opens today and closes on the 20th May 2011 to take part click here

For more information on the Red Tape Challenge visit the website here

To read the DCMS press release on the announcement click here

 The National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts (NESTA) recently published a report into the proposed role for the Big Society Bank.

Recent evidence submitted by CLG to the Communities and Local Government Select Committee lays out plans for a new regeneration toolkit aimed at supporting local and national growth.

In late December, the Cabinet Office released a Green Paper for consultation as part of their initiative to encourage giving in the Big Society.

The NCA are hosting two events in the coming months which are of great interest to the sector. Places are popular so book now!

The NCA are hosting two events in the coming months which are of great interest to the sector. Places are popular so book now!