McConnell to tackle Scotland’s “appalling” reoffending rate

Scots first minister Jack McConnell told the Labour party
conference in Brighton that tackling reoffending rates in Scotland
was a key priority.

Presenting the Scottish report to the annual conference,
McConnell said in the coming year the focus would be on tackling
knife and violent crime and introducing new laws to outlaw internet
grooming of children by paedophiles.

The first minister warned that the Conservative party in
Scotland was a “real threat” but he said that under the Tories, one
Scot would enjoy prosperity while another would struggle to make
ends meet creating “two Scotlands”.

However he pledged that Labour’s vision was for one Scotland
“where every child has access to excellence, choice and
opportunity”. He said Labour had proved its “determination to
deliver” through its reforms tackling anti-social behaviour.

McConnell concluded by promising to invest more in young people
and to allow young Scots more opportunity to volunteer through the
National Youth Volunteering Programme.