Tuesday 2 November 2004

By Shirley Kumar, Amy Taylor and Clare Jerrom

Lib Dems reverse policy on Asbos

The Liberal Democrats are set to perform a U-turn on their
anti-social behaviour policies.

The party accepts that it gave its opposition ammunition when it
voted against the anti-social behaviour bill last year because it
was against dispersal orders.

In a change of tack the party’s home affairs spokesperson
Mark Oaten said that the party supports dispersal orders, which can
be applied if two or more people are gathering on a street, if they
are used because of someone has done something.

He said the Liberal Democrats did not support the orders if they
were used to move people on just on the grounds of their
presence.

Source:- The Guardian Tuesday 2 November page 13

Families ‘missing weekends’

Around four in 10 children – or 4.5 million – live in
families where at least one parent often works at the weekend,
according to new research.

The Relationships Foundation, a work/life balance thinktank, found
that in 1.3 million families with dependent children at least one
parent is at work on both weekend days.

The study also finds that parents working at weekends were more
likely to be self-employed or poor.

The figures were calculated by the National Centre for Social
Research, using data from the Labour Force Survey.

Source:- The Guardian Tuesday 2 November page 14

Civil servants take 10 sick days annually

The government has missed its target of cutting absenteeism by a
third, with sick leave for civil servants rising to two weeks a
year.

Figures published by the Cabinet Office show that civil servants on
average took 10 days a year in 2003, up from 9.8 in 2002.

Source:- Financial Times Tuesday 2 November 2004 page
2

Nurseries to get surprise inspections

Inspectors will make surprise visits to nurseries under a shake-up
of the way childcare is monitored.

Education inspectorate Ofsted will introduce the changes from next
April.

Source:- Financial Times Tuesday 2 November 2004 page
4

Change for casino Bill as Labour MPs revolt

Government plans to liberalise gambling laws suffered a set back
yesterday with a revolt from 29 Labour back benchers.

The move is a clear signal the bill will have to be amended as it
passes through Parliament.

Source:- The Times Tuesday 2 November 2004 page 2

Smacking deal

The government’s new rules on smacking are likely to be
overturned in the House of Commons.

The clause at stake in the new Children Bill states that parents
can smack children as long as it leaves no mark.

Source:- The Times Tuesday 2 November 2004 page 4

Father left baby in car to go drinking

A man who left his seven-week old daughter in the car while he went
drinking was jailed for 75 days yesterday.

Robin Spandler of Gorleston, Norfolk, parked his car in Great
Yarmouth, went to the bar and got a taxi home in July. He is being
treated for an alcohol problem.

Source:- The Independent Tuesday 2 November 2004 page
14

Girl of seven saw mother smother her baby, jury told

A girl of seven saw an exhausted mother smother her baby to death
as he lay in the cot beside her, a jury heard.

She allegedly watched Margaret Smith push a pillow over the head of
her four month old baby son Keith.

Source:- The Daily Telegraph Tuesday 2 November 2004 page
7

Police poster shows ravages of drug abuse

Scotland Yard launched a hard hitting drug campaign using images of
the ravaged faces of three young women, two of which are now
dead.

The faces of the women will be used on posters, beer mats and
nightclub flyers in an attempt to dissuade young people from trying
drugs.

Source:- The Daily Telegraph Tuesday 2 November 2004 page
7

Fathers encouraged to stay at home more

Fathers are being encouraged to take advantage of new flexible
working arrangements that will give them more time at home with
their children.

The guide, Daddy’s Home, a Life Planner for Fathers, follows
research showing that only one in 10 men works part-time, despite
legislation which gives them the right to ask for flexible
working.

Source:- The Daily Telegraph Tuesday 2 November 2004 page
8

Scottish news

Peacock opts for choice to solve pupils’ woes

Education minister yesterday unveiled plans to give pupils greater
choice over the subjects they learn in a bid to prevent them
becoming “disengaged” with the education system.

A new national curriculum will be drawn up governing how young
people are taught between the ages of three and 18.

Peacock said he wanted the curriculum covering the first three
years of secondary school to be re-drawn to prevent so many pupils,
mainly boys, becoming disenchanted with the education system.

Source:- The Scotsman  Tuesday 2 November

Hit squads to take on yobs in crime blitz

A major crackdown on petty crime in the capital next week will see
new hit squads targeting antisocial behaviour.

The teams will aim to gather evidence to target those responsible
for graffiti, vandalism and other problems plaguing neighbourhoods
across Edinburgh.

From next Monday, three squads of five “ned-busters”
will be called upon to swoop on trouble spots.

Source:- Evening News  Monday 1 November