News round up: plan to name social workers in family courts

Jack Straw’s plan to name social workers in family courts ‘breaches human rights’

Plans to allow the media to name social workers in family court cases are being opposed strongly by judges and lawyers, who warn that the change could breach human rights laws. They have expressed “grave concerns” that the latest tranche of reforms to open up the courts may drive away experts and violate children’s rights to privacy.

The Family Justice Council, chaired by Sir Mark Potter, the most senior family judge in England and Wales, is “extremely concerned” that the media will have access to confidential medical and social work reports.

Officers who baby-sat for each other may face prosecution

The government has ordered a review of the case of two police officers who were told they had to stop looking after each others’ children or face prosecution.

Read more on this story in The Guardian

Alcohol pricing will save lives, says report

Setting a minimum price for alcohol in Scotland will eventually save hundreds of lives a year, according to new research commissioned by the Scottish government.

Read more on this story in The Times

THE Government department run by minister Ed Balls has lavished a staggering £3million on a luxury makeover of its office.

The grand two-year redesign at the Department for Children, Schools and Families included the installation of an indulgent MASSAGE ROOM, a swanky CONTEMPLATION SUITE where people can relax and a PRAYER AREA for Muslims.

Read more on this story in The Sun

Alan Johnson to criticise police over deaths of mother and daughter

Alan Johnson is to criticise the police for not doing more to help a mother who killed herself and her disabled daughter following a decade of abuse by out-of-control neighbours.

The deaths of Fiona Pilkington and 18-year-old Francecca Hardwick “should never have happened”, the home secretary is due to tell delegates to the Labour conference in Brighton on Tuesday.

Read more on this story in The Guardian