Other News In Brief

Teen Rescued From Mud

An 18-year-old was rescued from a foggy estuary after becoming trapped up to his waist in mud. The teenager became stuck in the Fleet at Weymouth, Dorset, as he made a short cut to his boat on Wednesday evening. He was rescued after a passer-by saw him and raised the alarm. An inflatable pontoon was moved into position by boat allowing rescuers to get hold of him. The teenager, who had been trapped for an hour and a half, was treated by paramedics. He was cold but unharmed. Portland Coastguard watch manager Maddy Davey said: "It was fortunate that there was another male in the area who was able to raise the alarm for this incident."

People On Sick Leave Will Be Helped Back Into Work

People on sick leave will be helped back into work more quickly under a pilot scheme kick-started by Care Services Minister Phil Hope and Work and Pensions Minister Lord McKenzie today. The 'Fit for Work' Service Programme of Piloting, backed by £13million, will test out how sickness absentees can be helped to recover and supported to get back to work more quickly than would otherwise be the case. They will test a range of different ways of providing support, to identify what works best. Each pilot will test personalised, back to work support for people off sick. The Department of Health and the Department for Work and Pensions are jointly calling for organisations to come forward to participate in the pilot process from today. The pilots are expected to begin later this year.

Appointment For COI Chief Executive

Mark Lund, CEO of Delaney Lund Knox Warren (DLKW) and Chairman of the advertising Association has been appointed Chief Executive of the Central Office of Information (COI). Mark will succeed Alan Bishop, who left COI in January, and will join the organisation in June. Mark will direct, manage and develop COI which has an international reputation for the provision and procurement of marketing and communications services. He will be responsible for meeting the annual targets set by the Cabinet Office, and for ensuring that COI achieves maximum communications effectiveness and the best possible value for money for Government.

Key Players Of Construction welcomed By HSE

The Health and Safety Executive's (HSE) Chief Inspector of Construction has welcomed the excellent turnout of key players in the construction industry in Scotland at a major conference in Glasgow. He told delegates in a keynote address that in these difficult economic times it was more important than ever for those with influence within the industry to come together and discuss and debate health and safety issues. The conference was organised by the Scottish Construction Forum (SCF) and the Health and Safety Executive to give delegates the opportunity to learn how their firms can contribute to the success of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games. The "Aiming High - Landing Safely" seminar highlighted health and safety best practice in the run up to the London 2012 Olympics and how the lessons learned will help raise the bar for the Glasgow 2014 Games and beyond.

(JM/BMcC)