11,000 illegal migrants licensed to work as private security guards

11,000 illegal migrants licensed to work as private security guards

The home secretary, Jacqui Smith, admitted yesterday that 11,000 non-EU illegal migrants are working in Britain as private security guards: doubling the figures leaked in an email last month.

Source: – The Guardian, Friday December 14, 2007, page 2

MPs deliver fresh blows against detention plans

The joint Lords-Commons committee on human rights have said they are satisfied with the present 28-day detention limit; a day after a similar ruling from the Commons homes affairs select committee.  The government are proposing to extend the limit to 42-days.

Source: – The Guardian, Friday December 14, 2007, page 6

84,000 face long wait for violent crime compensation

Victims of violent crime face a 17-month wait before they receive compensation from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority, despite a decrease in the number of violent crime committed, the National Audit Office revealed today.

Source: – The Guardian, Friday December 14, 2007, page 19

Millions more are classed as danger drinkers

Government statistics estimate that nearly 13m drinkers are risking their health by drinking super strength alcohol in large measures.

Source: – The Daily Telegraph, Friday December 14, 2007, page 1

Working mothers toil for an extra 120 hours

A study from the London School of Economics finds that working mums end up ‘working’ for an extra 120 hours by juggling office and home responsibilities.

Source: – The Daily Telegraph, Friday December 14, 2007, page 13

Big rise in cocaine use among soldiers

Alcohol and drug use by soldiers has risen fourfold since the war began in Iraq as increasing numbers of people in combat attempt to self medicate under stress.

Source: – The Independent, Friday December 14, 2007, page 5

Personalised services promised in Brown’s public sector reforms

Gordon Brown announced plans yesterday to personalise health, education, welfare and care services.

Source: – The Times, Friday December 14, 2007, page 2

You should have taken me into care, says man who sued social services

Jake Pierce won £25,000 damages against Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council yesterday for failing to protect him from his abusive parents.  The council now plans to petition the Court of Appeal to challenge the High Court ruling. 

Source: – The Times, Friday December 14, 2007, page 9