A summary of social care stories from the main newspapers

By Clare Jerrom and Reg McKay.

London ‘worst for child
poverty’

Almost half of London’s children are living in poverty,
according to an analysis of incomes to be published today by Ken
Livingstone.

The capital’s mayor will say that London sank to the
bottom of the incomes league last year with a higher proportion of
people on sub-standard incomes than in any other English
region.

Government figures showed 43 per cent of London’s 1.5m
children were living in households with incomes below half the
national average. This compared with 36 per cent in Yorkshire and
an average of 32 per cent.

The capital also had the highest number of older people living
in poverty.

Source:- The Guardian Thursday 19 July page 6

Fury at TV hoax on paedophilia

Satirist Chris Morris has caused controversy by duping
celebrities into endorsing two fabricated anti-paedophilia
campaigns for his latest television series.

Phil Collins is thought to be taking legal action having been
filmed in a t-shirt bearing the words “Nonce Sense” while giving
advice to children.

Channel Four insiders argued that none of the participants had
checked the credentials of the “charities” that had approached
them.

The programme is due to be shown on July 26.

Source:- The Guardian Thursday 19 July page 6

£2,000 fine threat over Eurotunnel
stowaways

Eurotunnel will be fined £2,000 for every illegal immigrant
found on its goods service, under plans by the government, in a bid
to curb the number of asylum seekers entering the country.

The move is aiming to force the company to tighten security at
the French end of the tunnel.

On average more than 100 migrants are found at the Coquelle
terminal every night after tougher checks at Calais were adopted
last year.

Eurotunnel has erected an inner fence to protect the depot, but
the home office said it still is not secure.

The plan, which goes out for six weeks’ consultation, would mean
Eurotunnel was fined £2,000 for every person caught –
the same fine that was introduced for road transport in April
2000.

Source:- The Times Thursday 19 July page 9

Shooting victim had been hospital patient

The man shot dead by police last week, had been a patient at a
psychiatric hospital it has emerged.

Derek Bennett had been referred to the South London and Maudsley
Hospital Trust, which specialises in psychiatric conditions.

Detectives investigating the shooting, said Bennett’s
medical history would be taken into consideration in the
inquiry.

It was the second time in four days that police shot a man dead.
Schizophrenic Andrew Kernan was shot in Liverpool while armed with
a sword.

Bennett’s parents have demanded an apology, a meeting with
home secretary David Blunkett and a full explanation.

Source:- The Times Thursday 19 July page 8

‘Bristol heart mistakes could be repeated
today’

Tougher regulations, provision to shut failing hospitals and
league tables of hospitals’ surgical performance are likely to be
introduced as a result of the inquiry into the Bristol Royal
Infirmary heart scandal.

The inquiry found more than 30 babies died unnecessarily at the
hospital and many received inadequate care.

The independent inquiry called for a new emphasis on the care of
children. Health secretary Alan Milburn announced a new national
director of children’s healthcare services to improve
standards of children’s services in hospitals.

Source:- The Times Thursday 19 July page 1

Scottish newspapers

Home owners reject offer

Late last night, owners of private residential and nursing homes
in Scotland, rejected the executive’s offer of £10 per
resident per week. Scottish Care, representing most private home
owners, have asked for £50 per person per week and described
the Scottish executive’s offer as “insulting, inadequate and
unacceptable”.

Source:- The Herald Thursday 19 July page 2