By David Callaghan, Nicola Barry and Alex Dobson.
Welfare spending increases by 50pc under Labour
The Labour government has increased spending on welfare benefits by 50 per cent, and the share of public spending devoted to welfare is set to continuing rising until the end of this parliament.
In cash terms welfare spending will rise to £140 billion by 2006, an increase of nearly 50 per cent since 1997.
Source:- Daily Telegraph Wednesday 9 April page 9
Appeal court backs 'designer baby' couple
A couple have won the right to select an embryo with a tissue match to their four-year-old son, who has a rare blood disorder inherited from his parents.
Shahana and Raj Hashmi have the backing of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority in their battle to use 'tissue typing' to create a new baby with a stem cell match. Zain needs a bone marrow or stem cell transplant or he will die. At the moment he needs a 12-hour blood transfusion every week.
The court of appeal decided to overturn a high court ruling against the procedure, which has been labelled as the selection of a 'designer baby'.
Source:- The Times Wednesday 9 April page 13
Asylum centre 'is crucial to reform'
A public inquiry opened yesterday into the proposed siting of an accommodation centre for 750 asylum seekers in the Nottinghamshire countryside. The inquiry must decide if the plan for the centre on a former RAF base at Bingham should be allowed to go ahead.
Former Chancellor Kenneth Clarke, a local MP, is among the opponents to the scheme.
Source:- The Times Wednesday 9 April page 15
Guardian Society
Tower block turmoil
Inquiry critical of private agency housing asylum seekers
Source:- Guardian Society Wednesday 9 April page 5
Welfare gap
At-risk children 'in limbo', says top judge
Source:- Guardian Society Wednesday 9 April page 5
Sounds of celebration
Legal victory for autistic residents in noise nuisance case
Source:- Guardian Society Wednesday 9 April page 5
Choice matters
Mike George on a course that examines sex and sexuality for those working with people with learning disabilities
Source:- Guardian Society Wednesday 9 April page 128-127
Scottish newspapers
Community worker abused boys
A community worker yesterday admitted sexually assaulting nine young boys over a 12-year period while employed by a family support charity.
The high court in Glasgow heard that Graham Hammond befriended the boys at the Family Action at Rogerfield and Easterhouse (FARE) Project in Glasgow, which is recognised by the social work department.
Lord Kirkwood will sentence Hammond on April 29.
Source:- The Herald Wednesday 9th April page 10
I am not a baby killer
A mother accused of murdering her seven children more than 30 years ago has protested her innocence. She told the Daily Mail last night she had nothing to do with the deaths, claiming “a lot of lies” had been told.
Roberta Bibby was reported to police after confessing to a psychiatrist that she had killed six baby sons and a baby daughter. All the children died over a period of 13 years, starting in 1961.
A spokesperson for Lothian and Borders Police confirmed that an investigation into the children’s deaths was ongoing.
Source:- Daily Mail Wednesday 9th April page 37
Welsh newspapers
School in deprived town claims best inspection in Wales
A school in one of the most socially deprived areas of Wales is claiming the best inspection report in the principality in recent years.
Despite being in an area of economic disadvantage where more than a fifth of pupils receive free school meals, Cyfartha High school in Merthyr Tydfil won high praise from inspectors in a recent report.
Source:- Western Mail Wednesday 9 April page 9
Neglect them at our peril
A half- page feature looking at the crisis in the independent care home sector in Wales.
The story looks at recent moves by care home owners to gain more recognition from the Welsh assembly over the closure of residential and nursing homes for older people. They argue that this is because of the low fees paid by many local authorities in Wales, and the effects of the Care Standards Act on the way homes are run.
Source:- Western Mail Wednesday 9 April page 12
