A new report from the Department for Children Schools and Families finds that the majority of children and young people in the UK feel happy and safe, live in stable family environments, enjoy life, are doing well at school and make a positive contribution to their communities and society. But this is not the case for the 2.8 million children living in relative income poverty. This is 22 per cent of total children.

Read more on POVERTY CONTINUES TO BLIGHT THE LIVES OF CHILDREN…

The Audit Commission and other wathdogs have published a plan to reduce the inspection and performance monitoring burden on local councils, health bodies, police forces, fire and rescue authorities and others responsible for local public services. The plan, which is available for consultation until February 2008, provides for new national indicators to start in April 2008 with the first results published in October 2009.

Read more on WATCHDOGS JOIN UP TO REDUCE INSPECTION BURDEN ON PUBLIC BODIES…

This report from the Department of Health describes how innovative practice in delivering care in more convenient settings is being developed across the speciality groups of ear, nose and throat, gynaecology, orthopaedics, dermatology, urology and general surgery.

Read more on SHIFTING CARE CLOSER TO HOME…