More than 40,000 families in Scotland are set to lose an average of £420 a year towards their childcare costs thanks to tax changes that come into force in three months.

A watchdog has added his voice to concerns over Scotland’s postcode lottery in how councils calculate care home fees.

A SOUTH Lanarkshire Council social worker accused of sending offensive e-mails, some involving child abuse, has been struck off.

SOCIAL work services at Kilmarnock Prison have awarded top marks by inspectors. The positive findings are revealed in a report from the Social Work Inspection Agency which carried out an inspection at the jail earlier this year.

A NEW website has been developed for gay health workers in the Lothians. With the help of charity Stonewall, NHS Lothian developed the page on its intranet system to increase its profile as an employer sympathetic to gay, lesbian and transvestite workers.

THE number of people seeking help because they are addicted to the prescription drug diazepam is on the rise in the Lothians.

Hundreds of witnesses will be called to give evidence at a fatal accident inquiry into the deaths of two teenage girls who jumped from the Erskine Bridge.

Consultation on plans to privatise Fife Council-run residential care homes has been extended until January 4.

THE Moray economy has been given a seasonal shot in the arm with the news that a £6 million life science centre has been handed the go-ahead.

STIRLING Council has agreed to work jointly with Clackmannanshire Council to provide education and social care services.