Backing for parish council prayers; Welsh foodbanks feed 16,000 in one year; UK schools ‘segregated by class’; Teachers consider further strikes; GPs ‘losing faith in NHS reforms’; Sperm and egg donation ‘should be like giving blood’
Backing for parish council prayers
Belfast Telegraph – Parish councils in England have been handed a new power to continue to hold prayers as part of their formal business, Communities Secretary Eric Pickles has announced. Mr Pickles insisted the new power sent a “strong signal that this Government will protect the role of faith in public life against aggressive secularism”.
However, campaigners from the National Secular Society accused the Secretary of State of behaving “like some sort of dictator” and warned the move could open up councils to future court action.
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/uk/backing-for-parish-council-prayers-16141297.html
Welsh foodbanks feed 16,000 in one year
Christian Today – Welsh foodbanks have given emergency food parcels to 16,000 people in the last year. The Trussell Trust, which runs the foodbanks through local churches, said it had seen an increase in demand for its services in light of the difficult economic climate.
Over 150 tons of food has been donated to the foodbanks by members of the public and other donors
http://www.christiantoday.com/article/welsh.foodbanks.feed.16000.in.one.year/29597.htm
UK schools ‘segregated by class’
BBC – Schools in the UK are segregated along class lines, creating a “toxic” effect for the poor, a teachers’ leaders says.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-17611718
Teachers consider further strikes
BBC – Members of two of the main teaching unions will consider an escalation of strike action over pay and pensions at conferences this weekend.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-17551617
GPs ‘losing faith in NHS reforms’
BBC – The number of GPs who believe the government’s health reforms in England will improve patient care is falling, a BBC poll suggests.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-17604351
Sperm and egg donation ‘should be like giving blood’
Telegraph – Donating eggs and sperm should become as common as giving blood, the fertility watchdog claimed as it proposed new “centres of excellence” where donors will be made to feel more welcome. Lisa Jardine, chair of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA), said clinics should improve their “customer service” amid fears male donors are being made to feel neglected or unimportant.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/9185916/Sperm-and-egg-donation-should-be-like-giving-blood.html