A summary of social care stories from the main newspapers

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

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