Mental health services in Scotland are losing out financially to other parts of the health service, according to a report published yesterday.

Health workers and teachers face a hike in pension contributions of as much as 42% on top-end salaries as a result of a deal struck between the government and unions.

Children as young as three are to be assessed for anti-social tendencies under controversial plans. A new review of persistent offending suggests the radical move could give children from difficult backgrounds a better chance in life, shepherding them towards a suitable level of support.

Tough new powers to prevent the abuse of vulnerable adults are to be endorsed by MSPs. The reforms are partly driven by a case in the Borders where a woman was persistently abused by her carers.

The proportion of funds invested in mental health services has fallen over the past six years according to research commissioned by the Scottish Parliament’s Health Committee.

A £10 million new wave of preventative care programmes is to go live across Scotland later this year, it has been announced. Services will be developed in south Glasgow, Aberdeen, Fife, North and East Ayrshire, Inverclyde and West Dunbartonshire.

Jack McConnell has called for a radical shake-up in Scotland’s drug rehabilitation policy after witnessing a controversial new heroin addiction treatment in action. The First Minister said that Scotland must seek to abandon the methadone programme and look instead for new, drug-free methods of kicking heroin.

Volunteers would answer 999 calls in the capital under plans being considered by Lothian and Borders Police. The idea has been attacked as “policing on the cheap” by politicians and trade unions. They said it smacked of cost-cutting and would damage confidence in the police.

Safe houses and support for victims of human trafficking could soon be established in Aberdeen. The city council is being urged to sign a declaration aimed at addressing the growing global social problem – described as modern-day slavery.

Councillor Danny Molloy is to resign from Midlothian Council after 30 years of service, in the wake of a damning report on the state of the council’s social work department.