Here's something to cheer up social workers, perhaps battle-weary after years of pummelling from the media. A Haringey social worker has accepted libel damages from three newspapers which wrongly implicated her in the death of Baby P.
What happened to small is beautiful? The three Conservative councils in London that plan to amalgamate their services seem intent on regional government - but I fear something more sinister is in the offing.
It is estimated that up to 90% of the prison population has a form of mental illness. For those who do not suffer from mental ill health when they go in, they sure as hell will leave with a few issues - especially so if they have been wrongly convicted.
In June, Outside Left expressed relief that Project Prevention had watered down its plans to reward drug misusers who have themselves permanently sterilised with a £200 thank-you. That relief was misplaced.
If it can be argued that the government's child benefit cap is targeted at better-off households, the same cannot be said of any cuts to the emergency fuel top-up payments made to pensioners and low-income families during cold snaps.
A solemn face for solemn times. And few come more solemn than the funereal visage of Ed Miliband - a fitting contrast with brother David, whose perma-grin suggests he spends too much time in too many wedding pictures.
Of Ed Miliband's new frontbench team, one name stands out for the wrong reasons. It's that of former immigration minister, Phil Woolas, known for his gaffes, lack of subtlety and, more recently, running an election campaign that became the subject of a court action.
"I name this lead balloon Big Society." I assume that is what David Cameron yesterday told delegates at the Conservative Party conference, such was their muted reaction.
So desperate was chancellor George Osborne to appear tough on scroungers, tough on the causes of scrounging, that his welfare reforms became wedged halfway between the red devil and the Tory blue sea.
| Outside Left questions the thinking behind today’s social policy, with a sometimes wry, occasionally cynical, always straight-talking look at the political elite that shapes it, written by sub editor, Mike McNabb. |
| Outside Left home |
 |
Follow Outside Left on Twitter |
| Email: | Mike McNabb |
