Hampshire County Council

This project conducted targeted surveillance sampling of retail food products for the Food Standards Agency (FSA) to identify emerging food safety risks and enhance the FSA’s intelligence on the food system. The programme was delivered in partnership with 3 Local Authority Official Food and Feed Laboratories (OLs) and 2 private OLs in England and Wales. A total of 822 food samples from 24 different food commodity types were purchased from physical and online retailers in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland and were tested for compliance with relevant food regulations. The samples were categorised into basket or frequently consumed foods, surveillance foods to inform the FSA’s knowledge of risk, and science and research foods to inform the FSA’s scientific knowledge and policy development. The overall findings showed that most foods were compliant with the testing and assessments undertaken. Of the samples tested for allergens 96% were deemed compliant whilst 4% indicated the presence of an undeclared allergen. Milk was the most common undeclared allergen found. In terms of authenticity, 94% of samples were deemed authentic. Reasons why samples were inauthentic included Basmati rice which contained more non-Basmati rice varieties than allowed, and non-pork meat found in pork sausages. The compliance rate for unauthorised ingredients was 93%, with issues including non-permitted sweeteners, and unauthorised and excess use of colours. For composition, 87% of samples were compliant, with issues including less meat content than declared in chicken ready meals and pork sausages, and incorrect fat content in milk. No mycotoxins or heavy metals were detected at levels of concern, but some oregano samples contained foreign bodies. Labelling irregularities were found in 21% of food products. These issues largely related to technical aspects such as incorrect typographical format of allergen information and durability dates, or missing or incorrect nutritional information.

Integrating document analysis with the core principles of critical social research, this article aims to dig beneath the surface of historically specific social structures of child welfare services. Analysing the descriptive content presented in 13 serious child safeguarding case reviews, formal reports published after the death or serious injury of a Romani or Traveller child in England, this article shines a light on how the child welfare system worked, including how ideology and the presence of reciprocated feelings of fear and helplessness concealed the processes that contributed to the harm that was experienced. Seeking to provide a detailed analysis of the strengths and weaknesses in policy, procedure and practice, the article concludes by reflecting on valuable learning points for child protection professionals working with Romani and Traveller children, families and communities.

Purpose Design and build (DB) and traditional contracting (TC) are the two dominant procurement methods used in the UK. Despite widespread use, there is a lack of research into the benefits and limitations of DB when applied to social housing projects. This research investigates whether DB is more appropriate for social housing than TC in the current housing crisis and provides guidance upon its implementation. Design/methodology/approach Eight expert interviews and six multiple-case studies were conducted to collect empirical evidence to validate the hypotheses, with thematic analysis for analysing qualitative data. Findings DB is now the predominant procurement route for new-build social housing projects. Practitioners suggest DB suits new builds rather than complex refurbishment, which generate multiple variations and cost unpredictability. A more sophisticated form of DB, novated DB, allows for the implementation of two-stage tendering for project delivery which provides cost, time and quality certainty when compared with TC. Research limitations/implications This research is based upon empirical work conducted in the West Midlands. Further research should be undertaken nationwide so that results can represent the whole UK. Practical implications Novated DB implemented with two-stage tendering should be adopted for social housing production but not for complex refurbishment. Social implications Housing associations should review their current procurement policies to decide whether a form of novated DB should be adopted to expedite housing supply. Originality/value Novated DB implemented through a two-stage tendering is a preferred option to tackle the housing crisis due to its cost, time and quality certainty in new builds.

Xylazine is a non-opioid sedative which has spread rapidly throughout the US illicit drug supply. This study aimed to describe the spread of xylazine throughout the UK illicit drug supply. Xylazine detections in human biological samples were collated from toxicology laboratories operating in the United Kingdom with the date, location, case type, xylazine concentration and co-detected drugs (with quantifications where performed) detailed, where permitted, by the corresponding coroner. Drug-testing cases positive for xylazine were collated from the Welsh Emerging Drugs and Identification of Novel Substances (WEDINOS) drug-testing postal service with the date, location, purchase intent and co-detected drugs detailed. Drug seizures made by UK law enforcement were communicated by the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities with the date and location detailed. By the end of August 2023, xylazine was detected in 35 cases from throughout toxicology, drug-testing and drug seizure sources covering England, Scotland and Wales. There were no cases reported from Northern Ireland. Xylazine was detected in biological samples from 16 people. In most cases where full toxicology results were provided, xylazine was detected with heroin and/or a strong opioid (n = nine of 11), but this polydrug use pattern was not evident in all cases (n = two of 11), suggesting a wider circulation of xylazine in the UK illicit drug market beyond heroin supplies. Evidence from WEDINOS supports this claim, as all 14 drug samples (100%) submitted from across the UK contained xylazine; however, in none of these cases was heroin the purchase intent but rather counterfeit prescription medication tablets (n = 11 of 14), tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) vapes (n = two of 14) or white powder (n = one of 14). Additional evidence for the spread of illicit xylazine comes from five drug seizures made by law enforcement. Xylazine has penetrated the UK illicit drug market and is not limited to heroin supplies.

PurposeConstruction frameworks are recognised by the UK Government as an integrated procurement path to deliver efficiency, collaboration and sustainability. This research paper aims to develop a performance-driving model for framework procurement to align with the government construction policy objectives.Design/methodology/approachA quantitative hierarchical regression analysis was conducted to examine the causal relationships between project outcomes and performance drivers. A successive qualitative multiple-case study involving eight typical construction framework projects was examined to further explain casual relationships.FindingsConclusive results from the quantitative and qualitative analyses validated the performance-driving model, generalising a framework procurement principle that project outcomes of time, cost, quality, sustainability and closer relationships are significantly driven by supplier's task and contextual performance drivers, and client's organisational drivers.Research limitations/implicationsThe investigation followed two major public-sector organisations in the UK: infrastructure offices of local authorities and estate offices of universities. Further research should be extended to other public-sector situations to enhance the model further.Practical implicationsUsing this model, framework managers can drive project outcomes by applying task and contextual performance drivers in order to select the best suppliers at the procurement phase, and by adopting the client's organisational factors at both procurement and construction monitoring phases.Social implicationsThe empirical evidence supports the use of frameworks by public sector policymakers as a key strategy to develop the performance drivers further and improve efficiency and quality outcomes.Originality/valueThe results will be of value to support the policy of public-sector works organisations contemplating using framework procurement for executing continuing construction activities.

Our final bit of theory that we need to discuss is to give you a clear understanding of what Linux actually is. In Chapter 1, we looked to prepare you for entering the world of Linux and the IT world in general. In Chapter 2, we ran through some Linux history and how Linux came to be.

The final chapter of this book is a sweet and short discussion around system backups. Most large organizations have a good idea on how to back up their environments, and chances are that you will most likely use what is in place. However, if you ever are stuck with having to plan and design a backup strategy, there are a few basic considerations you should bear in mind.