Friday 24 February 2006

By Clare Jerrom, Simeon Brody, Derren Hayes and Amy Taylor

Let old folk in care die

Leading doctors suggested last night that older people who suffer cardiac arrest in care home should not be automatically resuscitated.
They said the procedure rarely succeeds and resources would be better spent on improving care in other areas.

Source:- Daily Mail  Friday 24 February page 1

Drug deaths rise

Cocaine-related deaths reached the highest number since the government started keeping records in 1993, according to the Office for National Statistics.
Deaths related to cocaine almost doubled in the past four years.

Source:- The Times  Friday 24 February page 8

Mock remorse

Few victims forgive offenders in meetings designed to address the consequences of criminal behaviour, according to a Home Office study.
Some suspect the criminals simply go through the motions when they express remorse.

Source:- The Times  Friday 24 February page 8

Fall in teenage pregnancy rate

The government has missed its target of reducing teenage conceptions by 15 per cent, according to data from the Office for National Statistics.
The actual fall between 2000 and 2004 was 11 per cent.

Source:- The Times  Friday 24 February page 28

Blair brings social exclusion into cabinet

Tony Blair will today announce the appointment of a new cabinet minister to combat social exclusion.
He feels he needs to address the issue again in his final phase in office. It is possible the new social exclusion post will take over aspects of the Respect agenda.

Source:- The Guardian Friday 24 February 2006 page 13

Blair ready for Tory help on school reform

Tony Blair said he would be prepared to get his education reforms through parliament with Conservative support if necessary.
He said it was important to do the “right thing for the country”.

Source:- The Daily Telegraph Friday 24 February 2006 page 10

Scottish news

Sheriff criticised after sex offender spared driving ban

A sheriff has allowed a serial sex offender to keep his driving licence because he believed the man was more likely to strike again if he lost his job.
William Brierley, 43, has been spared a six-month disqualification under the totting-up procedure for motoring offences because Sheriff Lindsay Foulis thought a ban might jeopardise his rehabilitation.
However, the Judiciary Appeal Court ruled yesterday that Brierley should have been treated like any other motorist, and not gain any benefit from his record for serious sexual crimes.

Source:- The Scotsman Friday 24 February

Finance minister says councils cannot give more cash

Finance minister Tom McCabe has warned councils not to take the “soft option” in agreeing across-the-board pay rises for all their staff during negotiations over the single status agreement.
The minister told Holyrood’s finance committee that the executive would “not be attracted to single status schemes that simply give everyone more money”.
Under the SSA, councils have to reassess all staff pay levels and adjust them according to the skills they have.

Source:- The Scotsman Friday 24 February

Welsh news

Jail for mother of truant child

A Welsh mum has been sent to prison for failing to get her child to attend school.
Swansea magistrates sentenced the woman to 28 days in prison.
Swansea Council’s Education Welfare Office said the action was the last resort after years of work to try to get the child to go to school.

Source:- Western Mail Friday 24 February 2006