THE city council (Edinburgh) was today accused of “discriminating” against older people after announcing more service cutbacks to tackle a multi-million-pound black hole.

It has been six months in the making and promises to be one of the most radical developments in Scottish local government in recent years.

CHILD protection workers have been suspended over claims they sent joke emails about paedophiles. Kids’ faces were stuck on pictures of Gary Glitter and allegedly circulated around South Lanarkshire Council.

Inspectors have ranked child protection services in Renfrewshire as among the best in Scotland. HM Inspectorate of Education (HMIE) praised the prompt action taken to safeguard “at risk” children.

A former outdoor activities instructor convicted of sexually abusing children at youth camps has been jailed for 12 years at the High Court in Edinburgh.

A closure-threatened charity which helps the victims of rape and sexual abuse has been handed a cash lifeline by Aberdeenshire Council.

JACQUI Smith, the Home Secretary, yesterday accused the SNP of penalising vulnerable people as she joined the by-election campaign trail in Fife.

A broad coalition of voluntary organisations and unions launch a petition today calling for “fair” funding for third- sector groups which undertake public service contracts.

Leading gang specialists from Chicago will be visiting Glasgow and London this week to advise on how to deal with violence by mentoring young people.

A COMPLAINT against a number of Fife councillors that alleged they had been dishonest and “misled the public” over social care charges has been dismissed.