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WHAT HAPPENED ON 23th May 2006?
22nd May 2006
Blair sparks new deportation row
The vast bulk of foreign prisoners should be deported whatever the dangers in their home nations says Tony Blair. Mr Blair told MPs he was prepared to change the law to ensure most foreign prisoners were deported automatically. Downing Street later said some prisoners could avoid deportation in "very few exceptional cases" such as a known threat to an individual. The Conservatives said Mr Blair was "rattled" while the Lib Dems argued the policy was probably unlawful.
23th May 2006
Debate begins on school reforms
MPs have begun debating the government's controversial education reforms which face another Labour backbench rebellion. The Education Bill will allow secondary schools to become independent trusts free from local authority control. Fifty-two Labour MPs rejected the bill last time forcing ministers to rely on Tory support. Rebels say the revolt will be larger after votes on Tuesday. The Tories say they intend to back the bill but want their amendments adopted.
23th May 2006
Immigration system unfit - Reid
Home Secretary John Reid has damned his department's immigration operation as "not fit for purpose" with "inadequate" leadership & management systems. Other failings showed the Home Office could be "dysfunctional" & "wholesale transformation" was "probably" needed. Although he did not rule out splitting the Home Office he told MPs there was some logic to its current structure. Ex-minister John Denham called it "a fairly stark assessment of the state of the Home Office".
22nd May 2006
New talks to resolve fire dispute
Talks are to be held next week to try to resolve a dispute over job cuts after firefighters staged a strike. Members of the Fire Brigades Union in Hertfordshire walked out from 1400 BST on Saturday leaving 25 firefighters compared with the normal 120. There were six emergency calls to the service during the eight-hour strike. No military cover was provided. The union & the fire authority will meet to discuss plans to cut jobs & close fire stations.
23th May 2006
Debate begins on school reforms
MPs have begun debating the government's controversial education reforms which face another Labour backbench rebellion. The Education Bill will allow secondary schools to become independent trusts free from local authority control. Fifty-two Labour MPs rejected the bill last time forcing ministers to rely on Tory support. Rebels say the revolt will be larger after votes on Tuesday. The Tories say they intend to back the bill but want their amendments adopted.
23th May 2006
Workers urged to reject pay offer
A trade union representing council workers in Dumfries & Galloway is urging members to reject an equal pay offer tabled by the local authority. Unison has criticised the proposed deal which it claims represents just over half the amount it is seeking. The awards are designed to compensate for past pay discrimination against some sections of staff - mainly in jobs traditionally done by women. Dumfries & Galloway Council has yet to respond to the union's position.
22nd May 2006
Blair welcomes new Iraqi cabinet
The approval of a new Iraqi government of national unity marks a "huge step forward" Tony Blair has said. The administration had a programme for Iraq's security & reconstruction & the potential to create a "different Iraq" the prime minister said. Mr Blair said an exit strategy for UK forces depended on how the cabinet responded to the "critical moment". Earlier the Ministry of Defence said two UK soldiers received minor injuries after a roadside bomb outside Basra.
23th May 2006
Debate begins on school reforms
MPs have begun debating the government's controversial education reforms which face another Labour backbench rebellion. The Education Bill will allow secondary schools to become independent trusts free from local authority control. Fifty-two Labour MPs rejected the bill last time forcing ministers to rely on Tory support. Rebels say the revolt will be larger after votes on Tuesday. The Tories say they intend to back the bill but want their amendments adopted.
23th May 2006
Blair & Bush to hold US talks
Tony Blair is to fly to Washington for talks with US President George W Bush the White House has announced. The meeting will take place on Thursday and the new Iraqi government & Iran's nuclear ambitions will be on the agenda Mr Bush's chief spokesman says. Downing Street said the UK prime minister would also make a speech on foreign policy during his visit. It comes after Mr Blair visited Iraq to mark its first full-term government since the 2003 US-led invasion.
22nd May 2006
Cameron urges active parent role
Conservative leader David Cameron has backed the call by the chief inspector of schools for parents to take a more active role in their children's lives. Maurice Smith had said parents should ensure children were not attending school tired after staying up late. Mr Cameron a father of three says parents need to ensure their children are "properly fed & dressed & arrive at school on time". The National Union of Teachers said the Tory leader was right to back Mr Smith.
23th May 2006
Debate begins on school reforms
MPs have begun debating the government's controversial education reforms which face another Labour backbench rebellion. The Education Bill will allow secondary schools to become independent trusts free from local authority control. Fifty-two Labour MPs rejected the bill last time forcing ministers to rely on Tory support. Rebels say the revolt will be larger after votes on Tuesday. The Tories say they intend to back the bill but want their amendments adopted.
23th May 2006
Father hits out at 'drug culture'
The father of a five-year-old boy who brought drugs home from school said the incident could have happened anywhere. The youngster a pupil in Dundee brought the suspicious substance home last week which police tests have now confirmed as amphetamine. The boy's father Allan Petrie put the incident down to what he described as the country's "drug culture". Meanwhile police inquiries are continuing to discover how the drug came into the boy's possession.
22nd May 2006
Tories up school reform pressure
The Conservatives are urging ministers to back changes to the Education Bill which would reverse concessions made to Labour backbenchers. The bill faces its latest Commons test next week. Tony Blair only won the last vote on the controversial school reform plans by relying on Tory support. The plans include creating "trust" schools with more freedoms. The Tories say they still intend to support the bill but are urging Mr Blair to back their amendments.
23th May 2006
Debate begins on school reforms
MPs have begun debating the government's controversial education reforms which face another Labour backbench rebellion. The Education Bill will allow secondary schools to become independent trusts free from local authority control. Fifty-two Labour MPs rejected the bill last time forcing ministers to rely on Tory support. Rebels say the revolt will be larger after votes on Tuesday. The Tories say they intend to back the bill but want their amendments adopted.
23th May 2006
Tories revamp disability policies
Dozens of disability groups are being asked to help the Conservatives redraft their policies at a series of seminars. Conservative leader David Cameron & shadow disability minister Jeremy Hunt have launched the first of these looking at health & social services. Mr Hunt says he wants organisations for disabled people to be at the forefront of policy making. Future events will focus on benefit reform housing education & transport.
22nd May 2006
Cameron urges active parent role
Conservative leader David Cameron has backed the call by the chief inspector of schools for parents to take a more active role in their children's lives. Maurice Smith had said parents should ensure children were not attending school tired after staying up late. Mr Cameron a father of three says parents need to ensure their children are "properly fed & dressed & arrive at school on time". The National Union of Teachers said the Tory leader was right to back Mr Smith.
23th May 2006
Debate begins on school reforms
MPs have begun debating the government's controversial education reforms which face another Labour backbench rebellion. The Education Bill will allow secondary schools to become independent trusts free from local authority control. Fifty-two Labour MPs rejected the bill last time forcing ministers to rely on Tory support. Rebels say the revolt will be larger after votes on Tuesday. The Tories say they intend to back the bill but want their amendments adopted.
23th May 2006
Sex education 'too biological'
Children find sex education "too biological" & schools should teach more about emotion a report says. The Sex Education Forum said personal social & health education (PSHE) which includes sex & relationships education should be made compulsory. Although schools in England have to teach the biological aspects of sex PSHE is not a statutory requirement. The Department for Education said sex education was expected to be taught in the context of loving relationships.
