The implications for trustees of the possible EU Savings Directive reforms

The EU is considering making the Savings Directive more effective.One measure could be redefining trustees for the purpose ofthe Savings Directive and adopting the definition used in theThird Eu Money Laundering Directive.     

Political business cycles and macroeconomic credibility: a survey

There is clear evidence that government popularity and election performance is affected, in part, by economic performance, suggesting that governments may manipulate the economy to political advantage. Simple models incorporating adaptive expectations which allowed the government to exploit this relationship were developed in the 1970s, but fell out of fashion with the advent of new-classical economics. However, modern theories of the political business cycle, which are closely related to the macroeconomic policy game literature, assume rational expectations, and lead to forms of political business cycle, driven by the existence of uncertainty of one type or another. The international evidence suggests that some aspects of the theories apply, although definitive conclusions are – as we might expect – hard to come by.     

The part-time option? : Women and part-time work in the European Community

Part-time working has become one of the most significant patterns of work in the European Community in that it represents a growing segment of the increasingly service-oriented labour market. This has occured alongside the feminisation of the labour force through the expansion of ‘pink collar’ occupations in the service sector industries. This paper briefly examines data for part- time working in the European Community. These patterns and trends are related to female participation rates, labour shortages, and the relative importance of the service sector in the European economies. The role of the trade unions and the state in providing support for working parents and/or encouraging part-time initiatives is also considered. The paper concludes with some possible reasons for the variations in part-time participation in individual member states and the implications of these for women's future participation in the labour force.     

When is personal data not “personal data” – The impact of Durant v. FSA

The Data Protection Act 1998 (the “Act”), which implements the EU Data Protection Directive (95/46/EC), applies to personal data and governs the activities of data controllers and data processors in relation to such data. In Michael John Durant v. Financial Services Authority (2003), the scope of the Act was restricted. In particular, key provisions, including “personal data” and “relevant filing system”, became the subject of narrow judicial interpretation when the Court of Appeal sought to limit the “unjustifiable burden and expense” imposed on data controllers in complying with the Act. Although questioned by commentators and subject to investigation by the European Commission, the significant shift in approach initiated by Durant has been endorsed in two subsequent cases: (1) David Paul Johnson v. The Medical Defence Union (2004) and (2) Terence William Smith v. Lloyds TSB Bank Plc (2005). This article considers the main principles of the Act, how the Information Commissioner, the courts and the European Commission have responded to Durant and what happens next.     

Terrorism as Cancer: How to Combat an Incurable Disease

ABSTRACT

This paper provides an alternative framework that conceptualizes the threat posed by terrorism based on an epidemiological approach that views it as a chronic disease like cancer rather than as a military, ideological, or socio-economic problem. After highlighting the similarities in the causes, behavior, treatments, and challenges of combating terrorism and cancer, this paper presents a staging system policymakers can use to educate the public and allocate counterterrorism resources more efficiently. This approach encourages policymakers to see terrorism for what it is (an all but inevitable facet of modern life that can be managed but never fully eliminated), and not what they wish terrorism to be (a national security problem that can be solved, defeated, or vanquished). It provides policymakers with a useful model to conceptualize the threat and treat terrorism in a comprehensive manner, from preventing future attacks to effectively responding to them when they will inevitably occur.     

What do NHS staff learn from training on the Mental Capacity Act (2005)?

Purpose. Many studies have reported that professionals have a limited understanding of mental capacity issues. Implementation (in England and Wales) of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) (2005) presents a challenge to services. The aim of this study was to evaluate the extent to which National Health Service (NHS) staff benefited from attending MCA training courses. Methods. Participants were assessed before and after MCA training using a structured interview, which included three scenarios describing mental capacity dilemmas, four vignettes addressing the role of the Independent Mental Capacity Advocate (IMCA), and 16 true–false items. Results. Interview performance improved post‐training, but this could be largely ascribed to an increased awareness of mental capacity issues, with minimal improvements in the knowledge that would be needed to undertake the assessments. Nine areas were identified where there remained significant gaps in participants’ knowledge post‐training. Participants with experience of dealing with mental capacity issues performed better than those without. Conclusions. The results suggest that methods other than formal training events may be needed to prepare health staff to implement new legislation.