By Clare Jerrom.
Blunkett fury as judge says lorry asylum fines are illegal
The home secretary is angered by a high court judge who ruled yesterday that fining lorry drivers £2,000 for each illegal immigrants they bring into the UK is unlawful.
Mr Justice Sullivan ruled the fine breached the European Convention on Human Rights’ guarantee of a fair trial.
The home office considers that the fines are a key part of its attempt to maintain the integrity of the UK frontier, and fears the ruling will increase the number of attempts to enter the country illegally.
The introduction of the scheme did reduce the number of illegal immigrants from 1,423 in March 2000 to 587 the following month.
Fines totalling £14 million have been imposed, but only £2 million paid due to appeals.
The home office said an immediate appeal against the ruling would be launched.
Source:- The Times Thursday 6 December page 1
NHS made to pay for recommended drugs
The government pledged to end "postcode-prescribing" yesterday, and said that all drugs recommended by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence must be provided to all NHS patients.
The change means that from next month health authorities and trusts will be obliged to comply with the institute’s decisions.
But, the NHS Confederation said no extra money would be made available by NICE, and primary care trusts would be forced to use existing funds, or cut other services.
Source:- The Times Thursday 6 December page 8
Private ops offer to cut NHS queue
Alan Milburn will announce today that some NHS patients who have waited more than six months for operations, will soon be able to obtain treatment in the hospital of their choice in Britain or Europe.
The innovation, which will see patients treated in public or private hospitals, will start in London where the waiting lists are the longest. The health secretary will allow some patients with categories of illnesses to go elsewhere for treatment from April onwards under a pilot scheme.
Ministers have pledged that by 2004, no one will have to wait for an operation for more than six months.
Source:- The Guardian Thursday 6 December page 1
Braille labels on spirit bottles
Braille labels have been introduced on spirit bottles by the Co-op supermarket to enable blind and partially sighted people to determine the product name, size of bottle and alcoholic strength.
Until now, Braille has only appeared on bleach bottles. The move is welcomed by the Royal National Institute for the Blind.
Source:- The Guardian Thursday 6 December page 8
Whiting blames bad luck
The man accused of murdering Sarah Payne was either "the unfortunate victim of an extraordinary accident" or the man that kidnapped and killed the eight-year-old schoolgirl, Lewes crown court heard yesterday.
Timothy Langdale QC questioned Roy Whiting about the forensic tests, and said they offered the "clearest possible evidence" she had been in his van.
Whiting insisted it was "just coincidence" and "bad luck" that he had been implicated and said: "It wasn’t me."
Langdale questioned him about 22 fibres found on Sarah’s remains which the prosecution claim came from items in his van.
Whiting denies kidnap and murder.
The trial continues.
Source:- The Guardian Thursday 6 December page 12
Carers warned over risk of smacking
Childminders who smack children put themselves at risk, said the head of the watchdog monitoring childminders yesterday.
Maggie Smith, head of Ofsted’s early years division, told the all party select committee on education and skills that her department warned childminders against smacking even if they have permission to do so.
Her advice goes against government policy, which leaves decisions about smacking in the hands of the parents.
The policy has provoked outcry from child care groups and MPs since it was suggested last year.
Source:- The Independent Thursday 6 December page 12
Autistic comedian is a turn for the better
An autistic woman from Essex has broken new ground by having a comic play performed professionally.
Nita Jackson, who suffers from Asperger’s Syndrome grew up with continuous bullying, which left her on the verge of suicide.
But help from the National Autistic Society meant Nita’s talent could flourish and she is about to have her autobiographical novel published in the new year after her sell out run at the Brentwood theatre in Essex.
The Times Christmas Appeal is urging people to support NAS and help others with autism.
Source:- The Times Thursday 6 December page 4
Scottish newspapers
Minister takes crisis cancer centre away from NHS trust
North Glasgow NHS Trust will lose control of the crisis-ridden Beatson Oncology Centre in Glasgow, it has emerged.
A doctor currently working for the Scottish executive is to be installed as director of the cancer centre, health minister Malcolm Chisholm is expected to announce today. Dr Adam Bryson will take over on Monday.
The unprecedented move is a slap in the face for the chief executive of the trust Maggie Boyle and her board. They have come under mounting criticism over the exodus of consultants at the Beatson – four of which resigned in the past month.
Union officials and health managers are likely to welcome the removal of the unit from the trust's control.
Source:- The Herald Thursday 6 December
