Wednesday 11 May 2005

By Simeon Brody, Mithran Samuel, Derren Hayes and Amy
Taylor

Howard accords all contenders chance of succession

Former Conservative policy head David Cameron has become shadow
education secretary following Michael Howard’s reshuffle of
his frontbench.

Malcolm Rifkind, who returned to the Commons last week, has been
appointed shadow work and pensions secretary, while Andrew Lansley,
David Davis and Caroline Spelman remain in their health, home
affairs and local government roles.

Source:- The Independent Wednesday 11 May 2005 page
5

Kennedy to revamp health and education in reshuffle

Liberal Democrat health spokesperson Paul Burstow looks set to be
moved from his post following criticisms of the party’s
presentation of the issue during the election. Phil Willis is
expected to be moved from his education brief to become chief
whip.

Source:- The Independent Wednesday 11 May 2005 page
6

Common drugs ‘cause 1,200 heart attack deaths a
year’

Anti-psychotic drugs are among a number of medicines linked to
1,200 heart attack deaths every year in the UK, according to a
study in The Netherlands.

It found that the drugs, including chlorpromazine, tripled the risk
of sudden death through a heart attack.

Source:- The Independent Wednesday 11 May 2005 page
14

One in 6 babies at risk from smoking parents

One in six babies is at risk of cot death because they share a bed
with parents who smoke, according to a survey.

The Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths said the risk was the
same whether or not parents actually smoked in bed, contrary to the
belief of many mothers or fathers.

Source:- The Independent Wednesday 11 May 2005 page
14

Prescription drugs linked to 15,000 deaths each year

Antibiotics, anti-psychotic drugs and those used to treat nausea
and vomiting may be linked to may be responsible for as many as
1,200 sudden deaths a year in Britain.

They have the ability to interfere with the electrical activity
that controls the heartbeat and may be linked to 15,000 deaths
across Europe and US.

Source:- The Times Wednesday 11 May 2005 page 2

Local tax demand

Local government chiefs told David Miliband they would need an
extra £1.5 billion next year to avoid council tax rises.

The Local Government Association spelt out the financial pressures
facing councils at a meeting with the new community and local
government minister.

Source:- The Times Wednesday 11 May 2005 page 2

Academic says A-levels fail top universities

The head of admissions at Cambridge University will insist that
A-levels are not the qualification of the future while demanding
that a proposed new test to stretch the brightest youngsters be
made compulsory.

Source:- The Guardian Wednesday 11 May 2005 page 4

Child in “witch” case weeps

An orphaned refugee who was allegedly tortured after adults caring
for her branded her a witch broke down in tears yesterday as she
gave evidence.

The child, now 10, is alleged to have been stuffed in a laundry bag
by her aunt and Sita Kasanga, both from Hackney in east London, who
deny conspiracy to murder and child cruelty charges.

Source:- The Guardian Wednesday 11 May 2005 page 9

Dismay and anger at elevation of Adonis

Andrew Adonis, the former Number 10 policy adviser given the
education minister job epitomises every wrong turn in party policy
for many Labour backbenchers.

His primary task will be to sort out London secondary
education.

Source:- The Guardian Wednesday 11 May 2005 page 10 

Locked out of love

The number of children of jailed offenders is rising – around
7 per cent of children in the UK will experience a parent being in
jail at some point during their school lives.

Interview with family about the impact of incarceration and the
scant help available.

Source:- Society Guardian Wednesday 11 May 2005 page
2

Scottish news

Problems hamper Glasgow housing revolution

Glasgow Housing Association has admitted it has missed its
objective to move closer to community ownership.

The secondary stage transfer, in which ownership would be devolved
from GHA to local housing groups, has not moved as quickly as
management had hoped, according to its annual report.

GHA also missed another objective to introduce a pay and reward
scheme for staff, but managed to meet its other 30 annual
targets.

Source:- The Herald Wednesday 11 May

2,000 prisoners a year set to be freed early and tagged
instead

Two thousand criminals a year will be granted early release from
jail and tagged under controversial plans to cut re-offending
rates.

The Scottish executive wants to increase the use of home detention
curfews (HDCs), which will allow large numbers of “low risk”
prisoners to serve the last weeks and months of their sentences in
the community.

Cathy Jamieson, the justice minister, defended the move as “not a
soft option” against criticism that it is a panic reaction to the
rising prison population.

Source:- The Scotsman Wednesday 11 May

Welsh news

Finding the right balance

The children’s commissioner for Wales, Peter Clarke, said
that parents had to strike the right work-life balance for the sake
of their children.

Clarke said that although having enough money was key to bringing
up children, parents should think carefully about the social
consequences of working long hours and spending less time with
their children.

Source:- Western Mail Wednesday 11 May 2005

‘Babies in attic’ police dig up garden

Police investigating the deaths of three babies started digging up
a back garden yesterday after sniffer dogs identified at least six
sites of interest.

The dig is taking place at the former home of Ann Mahoney on the
Gurnos estate in Merthyr Tydfil. The dogs are specially trained to
find human remains.

The activity follows the remains of three babies being found in the
attics of two houses nearby on the same estate.

Source:- Western Mail Wednesday 11 May 2005