Report on riots published; MPs back assisted suicide; Health and Social Care bill becomes law; Homelessness has increased; Education could be privatised – Unions; Fine schools for poor literacy; Two year olds to receive learning progress checks
REPORT ON RIOTS PUBLISHED
Report blames riots on lack of support and opportunities
A report into the cause of last summer’s riots has pointed to a lack of support and opportunity for young people. The report by the Riots, Communities and Victims Panel identifies “500,000 forgotten families”.
“Families aren’t getting the support they need,” the report said.
It continues: “Government and local public services should develop a strategy incorporating the principles of the Troubled Families Programme to help 500,000 ‘forgotten families’ turn their lives around.”
http://www.christiantoday.com/article/report.blames.riots.on.lack.of.support.and.opportunities/29544.htm
BBC – A lack of support and opportunity for young people contributed to the outbreak of riots in England last summer, according to an independent report.
The Riots, Communities and Victims Panel, set up last year, highlights “500,000 forgotten families”. It also cited poor parenting, an inability to prevent reoffending, too much emphasis on materialism, and a lack of confidence in the police.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-17529908
Fine schools’ for poor literacy
Schools in England should be fined if pupils leave school with poor literacy skills, an independent report into last year’s riots says.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-17525940
‘Bumping along the bottom’ to blame for riots says new report
Verdict on UK riots: people need a ‘stake in society’, says report
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2012/mar/28/verdict-uk-riots-stake-society
ASSISTED SUICIDE
MPs back assisted suicide guidance
http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/310904/MPs-back-assisted-suicide-guidance/
MP tells Commons how dying father took own life
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/9170160/Assisted-suicide-MP-tells-Commons-how-dying-father-took-own-life.html
HEALTH
Health and Social Care bill becomes law
Mail – The Government’s controversial Health and Social Care Bill became law this week, after a tortuous 14-month passage through Parliament. Deputy Speaker Lindsay Hoyle’s announcement in the House of Commons that the Queen had granted Royal Assent to the bill was greeted by cries of ‘shame’ from opposition Labour MPs. The proposals were first tabled in Parliament in January 2011, but were subjected to an unprecedented ‘pause’ last year as Health Secretary Andrew Lansley struggled to secure the support of healthcare workers.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2121025/Health-Social-Care-law-report-reveals-ministers-warned-18months-ago-reforms-damage-NHS.html?ito=feeds-newsxml
HOMELESSNESS
Homeless charities warn cuts are pushing up number of rough sleepers
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2012/mar/28/homeless-crisis-funding-cuts-charities
EDUCATION
Education system could be completely privatised by 2015, union predicts
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2012/mar/28/education-system-privatised-2015-union
Fine schools for poor literacy
Schools in England should be fined if pupils leave school with poor literacy skills, an independent report into last year’s riots says.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-17525940
Two year olds to receive learning progress checks
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/two-year-olds-to-receive-learning-progress-checks-7593374.html