Ministers are to consider banning two new “date rape” drugs, amid warnings from experts that the true scale of sexual assaults assisted by drugs may be greater than official figures suggest.

Youth work providers are being asked to play a key role in developing targeted support services for vulnerable young people. A Department for Education and Skills guide Targeted youth support says youth work is key to identifying young people in need and gaining their trust.

A Government agency asked for an independent report into its controversial NHS IT system not to be published, it has been claimed. NHS Connecting for Health, which is overseeing the £12.4 billion upgrade of the patient records system, asked for a halt to publication of the study from the British Computer Society (BCS), it was alleged.

Government policy on antisocial behaviour is to be spilt from work on youth justice as part of the break up of the Home Office. The teams responsible for the Government’s respect and antisocial behaviour initiatives will be distanced from officials working on other aspects of youth justice policy.

Drawings, images and sculptures depicting child sexual abuse are to be made illegal, the Government said yesterday. People caught in possession of “non-photographic” child pornography, which is currently legal to own, will face a three-year jail term.

Youth organisations across the UK are urging that the informal and voluntary nature of youth work be protected in the revision of occupational standards. Youth workers also want their work to continue to be driven by the personal development of young people, rather than the pursuit of qualifications for them.

More than half of all cancer patients are having to wait longer than the Government says is acceptable for life-saving radiotherapy treatment, it was disclosed last night.

Special broadcast alerts to help trace abducted children will be made from today in a major child protection initiative. Child Rescue Alert will ask the public to aid the search to find a kidnapped child where it is feared the victim will be seriously harmed or killed.

Children are bringing the loutish behaviour they see on TV into the classroom, say teachers. They believe shows such as The Catherine Tate Show and Little Britain are contributing to indiscipline in schools.

Babies who do not respond to their name when they are one year old are more likely to be diagnosed with autism, according to researchers. They believe the simple test could help identify those children who need help at a much earlier age.