‘Not good’: Ofsted gives a mixed verdict on education reforms in major setback for Michael Gove – The Independent

Posted March 18th, 2013 in education, government departments, news, ombudsmen, reports by sally

“Michael Gove’s flagship education project has been dealt an embarrassing blow after inspectors demanded that three of the new wave of ‘free schools’ must improve their teaching, leadership and pupil performance. In the first official verdict on the Education Secretary’s free schools programme, Ofsted inspectors have ruled that three of the first nine institutions to be examined are “not good” schools.”

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The Independent, 17th March 2013

Source: www.independent.co.uk

The three women fighting to clear their loved ones’ names – The Guardian

Posted March 18th, 2013 in appeals, evidence, families, joint enterprise, miscarriage of justice, murder, news by sally

“What is it like if your brother or son is convicted of murder when you are convinced they are innocent? We meet three women who have fought for years to prove their loved ones’ innocence.”

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The Guardian, 16th March 2013

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Public bodies ‘spending millions to snoop’ – BBC News

“A wide range of public bodies are using private detectives to do their surveillance work, with many using security firms to dodge legal restrictions, a campaign group says.”

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BBC News, 17th March 2013

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

No sick pay, no maternity pay: Chancellor targets employers’ tax loophole that damages teachers’ and nurses’ rights – The Independent

Posted March 18th, 2013 in budgets, children, income tax, maternity leave, national insurance, news, sick leave by sally

“A tax loophole which allows firms to dodge around £100 million a year in National Insurance will be closed in the Budget, it was announced.”

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The Independent, 16th March 2013

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Inquest to open into death of prisoner convicted of stealing gingerbread man – The Guardian

Posted March 18th, 2013 in death in custody, inquests, mental health, news, prisons, theft by sally

“The inquest into the death in prison of a man convicted of stealing a gingerbread man during the riots in 2011 opens in London on Monday. James Best, 37, had a history of mental illness and physical problems, which his foster family say were not addressed by the prison.”

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The Guardian, 17th March 2013

Source: www.guardian.co.uk