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The period of the United Kingdom's Labour government, 1997–2010, saw two strident policy vectors. One was in the promotion of the creative industries as a lever for urban regeneration and national renewal in the face of the decline of its manufacturing base and the globalisation of its economy. The second was in the increased emphasis on financialisation to underpin both corporate and public sectors. Both of these were, in fact, intensifications of former Conservative policies developed through the early 1990s. This paper reviews some changes in the UK government policy on design, principally through its Design Council, as a function of the political economy during this period. It draws attention to important shifts in the professional practice of design and governmental promotion and use thereof—especially of service design and “design thinking”—that suggest a new attitudinal approach as to its role. It then places these shifts next to changes in public sector management and thinking. In particular, we see how certain conceptions and practices of design become embedded in its signalling of value in potentia rather than in putting value into things. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the emergence of standards and regulation associated with the provision of Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) surveillance systems in the United Kingdom. It argues that despite the intrusive and controlling nature of CCTV technology there is limited formal intervention in the form of legislation, governing its introduction and use. Instead government has sought to influence the regulation of the technology indirectly through its ability to shape and govern policy networks in the policy arena. In doing so, it is argued here, that government remains the dominant actor in the policy process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents some trends and events related to technology and policy, published in the winter 2002 issue of the journal 'Knowledge, Technology & Policy.' Official control imposed by the 1939 Export Control Act implemented by the government of Great Britain on the powers of software, electronic mail and speech; Appointment of John Poindexter to head an agency called the Information Awareness Office.

Comments on the installation of surveillance cameras in Great Britain to prevent crime. Police claims about the usefulness of the system; Study indicating that the closed-circuit television setup had little effect on crime; Arguments of civil rights groups.