Friday 14 February 2003

By Amy Taylor, Nicola Barry and Alex
Dobson.

Trust’s flaws ‘put patients at risk’

A report by the Commission for Health Improvement said failures
by East London and the City Mental NHS Trust are putting patients
and staff at risk.

It cited “weak leadership and poor systems” as being behind the
problems, and continued by saying that some managers and clinicians
“have become inured to the severity of incidents such as suicides
or homicides, and the trust has continually failed to investigate
and report on these events by required deadlines”.

Source:- The Times Friday 14 February page 19

Ethnic minorities become majority in two
areas

Two areas have more black people and Asians than white people
for the first time ever, according to the 2001 Census.

Non-whites make up almost 60 per cent in the London borough of
Newham, and 55 per cent of those living in the London borough of
Brent.

The results, published yesterday, show that ethnic minorities
make up eight per cent of the population.

Source:- The Times Friday 14 February page 4

Angry councils say headcount is inaccurate

The high level of problems experienced in producing the 2001
Census have led to speculation that it may be the last.

Some local authorities are questioning the study’s overall
population findings saying that it underestimated the number of
people.

This issue is of key concern to councils as government funding
is connected to the population in their areas.

Source:- The Times Friday 14 February page 4

With British policy in confusion, the tough, no-nonsense
regime that has seen Holland slash immigration figures

Strict immigration laws were introduced to Holland a year ago
and have had a huge impact.

Five years ago 40,000 applied for asylum whereas last month the
figure was only 600. Here Holland’s policies are examined.

Source:- Daily Mail Friday 14 February page 10

U-turn as Labour tells private firms: Match council
pay

Tony Blair was criticised for giving in to unions by business
bosses yesterday, a move that could threaten his plans to let
private companies improve public services.

The comments come over his introduction of a new code of
practice on pay and conditions, which the bosses see as
backtracking that will damage their ability to provide
cost-effective services to the public.

The code will ensure that new workers taken on by companies must
get the same pay and conditions as colleagues still on council
contracts.

Source:- Daily Mail Friday 14 February page 15

Diana fund head praises refugees

Education projects for refugee families have been given further
awards by the head of the fund set up in memory of Princess
Diana.

Andrew Purkis criticised tabloid newspapers’ negative
coverage of asylum seekers, and said the media was guilty of
ignoring the achievements and contribution made to British society
by young asylum seekers.

He announced cash awards for secondary schools in London for
their work on welcoming refugee and asylum seekers’ children.

Source:- The Guardian Friday 14 February page 9

Right-to-buy sales riddled with abuse

There is a high level of abuse by companies exploiting the
council house right-to-buy system, according to government research
published by mistake.

London was found to be the victim of the worst case of the
practice, with the research uncovering thousands of homes being
sold in the capital under a scam that it warns is a threat to the
rest of Britain.

Source:- The Guardian Friday 14 February page 10

The Census – Carers

The 2001 census shows that 5.2 million people, one in 10 of the
population, care for elderly or sick relatives. On top of this one
in five carers undertakes 50 hours or more caring a week for no
pay.

Source:- The Daily Telegraph Friday 14 February page
6

Detained patients win human rights case

The Human Rights Convention was used by five patients, who were
detained under the Mental Health Act, to successfully claim
compensation in the high court yesterday for a breach of their
right to a fast review of their detention.

The patients’ solicitor said he expected the case to open the
gates to claims from many other people denied quick hearings after
being detained on a criminal charge, with it being the first time
an English court had awarded damages against the government for
breaching a person’s human rights.

Source:- The Daily Telegraph Friday 14 February page
13

Cut teen mother’s benefits, says charity

A charity has called for teenage mothers to have their benefits
cut, and made conditional on them living with their parents.

The Family Education Trust said Britain needed to become more
like Holland where unmarried teenage mothers are stigmatised, and
being a lone parent has negative economic and social
consequences.

Source:- The Daily Telegraph Friday 14 February page
13

Scottish newspapers

MSPs say ‘no’ to tolerance zones for
prostitutes

An all-party parliamentary committee of MSPs yesterday rejected
a move by independent member Margo MacDonald to allow councils to
create tolerance zones for prostitutes.

They nevertheless expressed sympathy for the cause, and called
on the Scottish executive to set up an expert inquiry examining the
whole issue of prostitution in Scotland.

Source:- The Herald Friday 14 February page 12

McConnell backs opening of secret Dunblane
report

First minister Jack McConnell yesterday gave his backing to the
publication of parts of a police report which may link Dunblane
gunman Thomas Hamilton to prominent Scots.

Legal chiefs had ruled that the report, carried out five years
before Hamilton killed 16 primary school children and their
teacher, should not be published for 100 years.

Source:- Daily Mail Friday 14 February page 11

Welsh newspapers

Pledge to miners

Welsh office Minister, Don Touhig has pledged that priority must
be given to settling compensation claims for the oldest and most
ill miners who are suffering from industrial disease.

He has also pledged that compensation for miners’ widows
will be made a priority.

On Wednesday, Labour MP Ann Clywd told MPs at Welsh questions
that miners were still dying without receiving compensation for the
chest diseases they developed after working in the pits.

Source:- South Wales Argus Thursday 13 February page
11

Council considers ‘children’s
champion’ role

Wales’ capital city could soon have its own
children’s champion to protect vulnerable young people.

A white paper published by Cardiff council advocates the
establishment of a post similar to that of the Welsh
Children’s Commissioner Peter Clarke.

The white paper is a response to a highly critical inspection
recently carried out on Cardiff’s social services
department.

Source:- Western Mail Friday 14 February page 5

Minister unveils blueprint of support for pregnant
teenagers

New guidance from the Welsh Assembly on ways of strengthening
and supporting teenage parents in schools is to be issued.

Education minister Jane Davidson made the announcement at a
conference held to discuss Wales’ status as one of
Europe’s teenage pregnancy hotspots.

Source:- Western Mail Friday 14 February page 11