The number of nursery jobs axed by local councils has been criticised by Scotland’s largest teaching union. In the past year, 120 teaching posts have been cut in nursery schools across the country, the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) said. The union believes having qualified teachers in a nursery setting is the best way to give children a good start.

£2million from the Housing Estate Regeneration Fund (HERF) has been assigned to Aberdeenshire. Managed by Communities Scotland, the Executive’s housing and regeneration agency, the fund supports local authorities’ housing strategies and local regeneration needs.

Doctors have called for a sharp rise in alcohol prices after a report said 28,000 victims of drink-related violence are treated in A&E each year. Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems (SHAAP) also called for a stop to supermarket drinks promotions.

All secondary pupils in Scotland should be given ID cards in an effort to stamp out bullying, according to a teaching union. The Scottish Secondary Teachers’ Association (SSTA) says many schools already have card systems in place for school lunches and libraries.

The Scottish government will continue to offer support to Scottish based aid agencies tackling the aftermath of natural disasters throughout the world, International Development Minister Patricia Ferguson said on Boxing Day. The Minister was speaking on the 2nd anniversary of the Asian tsunami.

Scientists performing an extraordinary project spanning 60 years and 1,000 participants have received the prestigious Tenovus (Scotland) Margaret MacLellan Award.  The prize is awarded once every two years in recognition of the best scientific research in Scotland, with the focus this year being on “The brain including both neurological and psychiatric disorders”.

Help fulfil Shelter Scotland’s Christmas wish to have its 5000th quote by the end of the year – and be in with a chance of winning a free consultation with celebrity designers Colin and Justin. The housing and homelessness charity are searching for the 5000th home is* quote over the festive season, as the campaign nears its climax.

The Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) has published its fourth annual report. The report highlights the progress the regulatory body for the social service workforce in Scotland is making towards raising standards of practice, increasing the professionalism of the workforce and increasing the protection of the people who use social services and their carers.

A £7million 24-bed unit for young people with mental health problems has been approved for Glasgow. The facility will be known as Skye House and will be built on the new Stobhill Hospital site. Glasgow City Council gave the green light to the plans and the unit will replace and expand NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s existing temporary in-patient service for young people at Gartnavel Royal Hospital, which has accommodation for 16 young people.

Shelter Scotland has praised the contribution former Communities Minister Malcolm Chisholm has made to housing and homelessness in Scotland, following news of his resignation.