Education Minister Peter Peacock has resigned for health reasons, the Scottish Executive has confirmed. An executive spokesman said Mr Peacock had been receiving medical advice for a condition likened to a mild stroke. His successor is expected to be announced later, the spokesman added. The 54-year-old Highlands and Islands MSP is married with two adult sons. Mr Peacock said a sustained period of ill health had prompted his decision to stand down.

{mosimage}”As you are aware, I have been experiencing a prolonged period of poor health. It has become increasingly apparent that a ministerial lifestyle is not conducive to either promoting or maintaining my health and following further recent difficulties and advice, I have concluded that I must give my health priority attention.”

In reply, Mr McConnell told Mr Peacock: “I am extremely sorry that you have had to take this decision but entirely understand your reasons for doing do.”

The first minister went on to praise Mr Peacock’s tenure in education, saying the education system was in good shape, morale was high and the number of new teachers entering the profession was “extremely encouraging”.

About £7 million is to be spent improving the homes of vulnerable children in care and on fostering, the Scottish Executive has announced. Residential units and schools across the country will share £5 million to improve decor and provide better facilities in an effort to encourage a learning environment.

Mulberry House, Edinburgh’s largest complementary health centre, has announced the launch of its Low Income Clinics initiative. Registered as a Scottish Charity in October 2004, The Mulberry House Health Foundation forms the charity wing of Mulberry House.

Shocking footage exposes a care worker as a callous thief stealing money from a vulnerable 80-year-old woman. Cruel Amanda Morgan was caught by a £30 spy camera hidden in pensioner Theresa Fettes’ sitting room. The sting was organised by the OAP’s daughter, Irene Thomson, after her mother accused HER of taking cash.

Social work services are making a difference to communities and vulnerable people across Aberdeenshire, according to social work inspectors. The Social Work Inspection Agency (SWIA) has covered all aspects of the council’s services, with most areas being rated good.

{mosimage} Labour has suffered another blow ahead of next May’s local elections in Edinburgh after an eight high-profile councillor announced he is to quit. Kingsley Thomas, the city’s health and social care leader, has become the latest senior Labour figure to reveal he is to stand down from the City Chambers. The party now faces losing more than half of its 13-strong cabinet, as well as licensing board convener Phil Attridge, and Labour insiders are talking of “panic” over their prospects at the polls.

Highland Council’s continuing cash crisis was highlighted yesterday by the revelation of a projected social work overspend of almost £1million. The authority had managed to slash £2.1m from its housing and social work budget, but warned that any further reduction would seriously effect services.

{mosimage} The head of Scotland’s flagship secure unit for under-16s has been suspended after being provisionally disqualified from working with children.

William McFadyen was sent home from St Philip’s School near Airdrie, Lanarkshire, after authorities were told of allegations made against him when he worked at Kerelaw, the Ayrshire residential unit closed earlier this year amid one of Scotland’s biggest-ever child abuse investigations.

One of the men who killed Kriss Donald was out of prison on early release when he murdered the Glasgow teenager. Imran Shahid was sentenced to 30 months in February 2003 for assault to danger of life and dangerous driving. Shahid, 29, who had also been in prison for assault in 1995, was released after nine months and went on to kill 15-year-old Kriss three months later. The SNP’s Nicola Sturgeon said it was appalling that Imran Shahid committed such a crime while on early release.

A new multi-million pound private care home is set to open in the Capital, creating 88 new beds for elderly patients and up to 120 jobs. Four Seasons Health Care has already started work on the new centre, behind its Guthrie Court home in Liberton.