Thousands of patients who dial 999 for an ambulance will be called back by NHS 24 staff under a controversial new plan linking the two emergency services. The move, planned for the spring, would result in the least-urgent 999 cases in Scotland being dealt with by the helpline’s nurses over the phone, rather than being responded to by ambulance crews.

This Christmas it is estimated that over 65 million unwanted presents were given, including millions of toys that will be consigned to the back of a cupboard, never to be seen again. Actress Fay Ripley (star of Cold Feet and Bon Voyage) is backing the Barnardo’s Bag it Up Toy Appeal, supported by Taylor Woodrow.

A ChildLine Scotland base is to be set up in Edinburgh and centres in Glasgow and Aberdeen expanded. Education Minister Hugh Henry announced funding of £500,000 for the project. He said: “ChildLine gets more calls than it can handle, some just can’t get through and get the support they need. This money will change that.”

Alcoholics are to be given financial advice to help them avoid the crippling debts which can hinder their path to recovery.

Every pregnant woman in Scotland will receive an employment “bill of rights” at her 12-week scan as part of a campaign to stamp out sex discrimination at work, The Scotsman has learned.

Calls made to the Samaritans helpline over the festive period rose by more than a quarter this year, according to new figures. The Dundee branch of the charity reported an increase of “at least 25%” in the number of calls it received on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

As of 1st January Scotland’s police forces have new powers to retain the DNA of those accused of sexual or violent offences even if they are not convicted. The measures in the Police, Public Order and Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2006 provide police with a new proportionate power to assist in the investigation and detection of crime.

Scotland’s largest teaching union has called for an end to dawn raids on failed asylum seekers. The Educational Institute of Scotland said raids were “harrowing” for families and left children distressed when fellow pupils disappeared. The union has also called for the closure of the Dungavel detention centre in South Lanarkshire.

Plans to build a new prison in East Dunbartonshire at a cost of more than £100m have been approved by ministers. The 700-cell jail will be constructed on the site of the existing Low Moss prison, near Bishopbriggs.

The number of people in Scotland involved in antisocial activities who agreed to work with locals authorities to address their behaviour trebled in 2005-2006 compared with the previous year.