Four-year-old twins taken from social workers by their mother have been found safe and well, Lincolnshire police said today.

A social worker who failed to spot the abuse of a toddler at her Carlisle home was not experienced or qualified enough to deal with the case, a report has revealed.

Two social workers have admitted serious failings in their handling of the case of Baby Peter Connelly and believe that the allegations against them amount to professional misconduct, a hearing in London heard yesterday.

There is an urgent need for better care for older people, a national charity has said. Commenting as the appointment of a new care minister was announced by the coalition government, Counsel and Care said there needs to be sweeping reform of the care system.

George Osborne’s package of more than £6bn in immediate spending cuts received a mixed reaction today as trade unions condemned the decision to wield the axe now, while the business sector encouraged the government to go deeper in identifying public sector cuts to reduce the £156bn deficit.

Action is required by the government over the payment of social care personal budgets, according to a representative from the Saga Group.

The coalition government’s bid to create a “Big Society” could pose a severe threat to services for children and young people, professionals have warned.

The coalition government is to introduce a bill that will attempt to devolve greater powers to councils and neighbourhoods and give local communities more control over housing and planning decisions.

Child protection services in Bristol are good, according to an inspection report. The regulator Ofsted introduced the checks for safeguarding in June last year.

A new operatic production, the Lion’s Face, which has just premiered at Brighton festival, is a rare theatrical engagement with Alzheimer’s.