dnr

n Cabinet Office minister Mo Mowlam and rough sleepers unit
director Louise Casey opened the Bethnal Green resource centre in
east London last week. The centre aims to help homeless people gain
access to employment and training.

n Local government minister Beverley Hughes launched The
Handling of Workforce Matters in Best Value Contracting last week.
The guidance gives councils powers to consider staff training and
management practices when selecting tenders and awarding contracts.
The guidance is available from 020 7944 3000.

n About 5,500 black and minority ethnic voluntary and community
organisations are operating in England and Wales, according to
research funded by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation. Almost 90 per
cent have formal legal status and one-half have an annual income of
between £50,000 and £250,000.