By Clare Jerrom and Reg McKay.
Irvine’s powers grab scheme for tribunals
Lord Irvine wants to expand his control in Whitehall and take over a range of tribunals currently run by other departments.
The Lord Chancellor claims that by taking over social security, immigration, employment and tax tribunals, it will boost efficiency and make panels more user-friendly.
The move is likely to concern ministers as the Lord Chancellor has already seized control of many issues previously controlled by the home office including data protection.
There are more than 70 tribunals in England and Wales and among them is the massive social security appeals system, which decides whether people have been unfairly denied benefits.
Under the plans, which were prompted by a report he commissioned from former court of appeal judge Andrew Leggatt, Irvine would appoint all members to all tribunals and would control tribunals run by local councils.
Source:- Daily Mail Friday 17 August page 40
Youth charged with boy’s rape
A 15-year-old teenager was charged with the rape, kidnap and wounding of a six-year-old boy yesterday in Headington, Oxford.
The youth was remanded in custody until August 22 by magistrates at Oxford youth court.
Source:- Daily Telegraph Friday 17 August page 2
Single jab doctor faces hearing
A doctor is to face a disciplinary hearing later this month for administering separate vaccines to children for measles, mumps and rubella, instead of the government’s preferred MMR triple jab.
Peter Mansfield could be suspended if the interims orders committee of the General Medical Council finds against him.
Source:- Daily Telegraph Friday 17 August page 6
Scottish newspapers
Free personal care to lose funding for the executive
The Scottish executive is likely to lose up to £20 million in Treasury cash by introducing free personal care it emerged last night.
The funds are paid out in welfare benefits to help the poorest people pay for their care. The executive is currently locked in debates with Whitehall arguing that they should be allowed to keep the funding. The introduction of free personal care was originally calculated at about £110 million a year, but the loss of benefits will now increase this bill to around £130 million.
Source:- The Scotsman Friday 17 August page 1
Racist crimes increase
Attacks and other incidents involving asylum seekers have contributed to an increased level of violent crime in the west of Scotland according to the latest figures released by Strathclyde Police.
Chief Constable Willie Rae attributed the 5.1 per cent increase in crime and 50 per cent increase in attempted murder in part to the arrival of 4,500 asylum seekers and refugees in Glasgow.
Source:- The Herald Friday 17 August
