The Herald

Angry Doctors Attack Kerr for U-Turn On Consultants Ditching of Jobs Pledge Adds to Pay Outrage

SENIOR doctors reacted angrily yesterday as Scotland's health minister made a U-turn on a pledge to recruit 600 additional consultants. Opposition politicians accused Andy Kerr, the health minister, of scrapping a "central commitment". Consultants said the decision represented a "historic failure to plan adequately for the medical workforce in Scotland".

Us Journalist Is 'in Good Health' Free After Three Months

JILL Carroll, the kidnapped journalist, was safely back in American hands last night after her three months of captivity in Iraq came to an unexpected end. Released by her abductors in Baghdad earlier in the day, the 28- year-old walked into branch offices of the Iraq Islamic Party clutching a letter written in Arabic asking for help.

Executive's It Project in Crisis As Costs Rise

THE multi-million pound flagship IT project on which ministers are relying for their public sector efficiency drive is in crisis and could be scrapped, The Herald has learned. The programme to computerise personnel services across all Scottish Executive civil service departments prompted concern among MSPs on the Holyrood finance committee last year when it was costed at GBP7m.

Ottakar's Takeover Fear

LEADING Scottish authors expressed fears last night after the competition watchdog paved the way for a takeover of bookseller Ottakar's. The Competition Commission said it was provisionally giving a green light to the firm's marriage with Waterstone's in spite of claims consumers and the book industry would suffer.

Young Asylum Seekers 'Given Little Support or Protection' Refugee Council Calls for Independent Aid

MORE than 100 young asylum seekers who fled to Scotland with no family or support received inadequate protection, according to a report published today. Researchers at Glasgow University found children escaping from war zones and persecution, with an increasing ratio of young girls, had been placed temporarily in hostels for the homeless and encountered racism among staff.

Concern for Scottish Literature in Ottakar's Takeover

LEADING Scottish authors expressed fears last night after the competition watchdog paved the way for a takeover of bookseller Ottakar's. The Competition Commission said it was provisionally giving a green light to the firm's marriage with Waterstone's in spite of claims consumers and the book industry would suffer.

Gretna has Some Away Support From the Folks Down in Louisiana Mississippi Namesake Caught Up in Cup Fever

ROMANCE is in the air as the town famous for weddings and runaway lovers makes final preparations for its biggest football challenge in its history. Tomorrow, Gretna will march on Hampden as the football club's supporters stage an exodus unprecedented in the history of the south- west town to spur on their team against Dundee in the Scottish Cup semi-final.

Trump Unveils His Choice for Gbp300m Golf Resort

US tycoon Donald Trump has selected the Scottish site on which he intends to develop a world class golfing resort. The GBP300m club will rise on the Menie Estate near Balmedie in Aberdeenshire, Aberdeen City and Shire Economic Forum (ACSEF) confirmed last night.

More Strikes After 'Provocative' Move

A FURTHER round of public sector strikes was announced yesterday in response to a "provocative" move by the government to push pension reforms through parliament. Unison, the public sector union, said a three-day programme of regional strikes would be held across the UK from April 25-27, in addition to industrial action held by workers at the Meat Hygiene Service (MHS) next week.

Mp Attacks Health Board Over Plans to Downgrade a&E Unit

MORE than 400 people last night packed the latest in a series of public meetings over plans to downgrade hospital accident and emergency units. There was anger over NHS Lanarkshire's proposals to replace one of its three consultant-led A&E units with a nurse-led service by 2009.

Mctaggart Painting Makes Impression

Boer War Statue Returns to Castle

Voluntary Body Sheds Staff

Staged Pay Rises for Top Earners Public Sector in Vanguard in Fight Against Inflation Public Sector in Vanguard in Fight Against Inflation Analysis

THEY are among the highest earners paid from the public purse, but even the likes of judges and cabinet ministers are not protected from Gordon Brown's obsession with low inflation. Public sector pay rises were announced yesterday, but those at the top end of the scale were told their increases would be phased.

Nhs Vows to Stop Poaching Overseas Health Staff

SCOTLAND'S NHS yesterday pledged it would stop poaching health workers from the poorest parts of the world where they are desperately needed. Andy Kerr, the health minister, set out guidelines that will not stop doctors, nurses and other health professionals from filling the many vacancies in the NHS, but should end active recruitment.

Minister Promises Bridge Toll Review

TAVISH Scott, the transport minister, has promised a full analysis of the impact of charges on Scotland's two remaining toll bridges. Less than a month ago, Mr Scott ditched crossing charges on the Erskine Bridge in the west of Scotland, meaning motorists will now only have to pay to cross the Forth Road Bridge and the Tay Bridge.

Edinburgh Bucks the Trend of Airport Delays

EDINBURGH airport has flown in the face of trends in the UK by improving punctuality at the end of 2005, but only as far as chartered flights was concerned, the Civil Aviation Authority said yesterday. Glasgow airport was one of the few others to record no drop in punctuality, but again only for charters.

Jury Still Out On Viability of Drugs Courts Scheme has Limited Success

A FLAGSHIP policy to stop drug addicts from re-offending was called into question yesterday by a report which said a pilot scheme had not been as successful as previously hoped. More than two-thirds of law-breaking addicts in Fife and 53-per cent in Glasgow failed to adhere to drug treatment orders from specialised courts brought in to cut reconviction rates.

Director's Warning As Agency Closes Its Doors

CRUCIAL work in the battle against drugs will be halted when a national agency closes its doors, it was claimed last night. Scotland Against Drugs (SAD) officially winds up today after 10 years of work with a warning from its director.

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