’Missed chances’ in abuse scandal

Social workers, police and the Crown Prosecution Service “missed opportunities“ to stop a child exploitation ring abusing young girls, a report into the scandal revealed today.

“Deficiencies“ in the way children’s social care responded to the victims’ needs in Rochdale, Greater Manchester, were caused by “patchy“ training of frontline staff, the Rochdale Borough Safeguarding Children Board (RBSCB) said in its review into child sexual exploitation (CSE).

The review was ordered in the aftermath of a trial which saw nine Asian men jailed for grooming young white girls for sex.

PM in Brazil to boost trade links

Prime Minister David Cameron is visiting Brazil today on a trip to boost UK trade links with one of the world’s fastest growing economies.

Mr Cameron was being joined in Brazil’s commercial capital Sao Paulo by a 40-strong business delegation, along with trade minister Lord Green. During his two-day visit – his first to Brazil as PM – Mr Cameron will also hold talks with president Dilma Rousseff.

He will be accompanied by the chairman of the London 2012 Olympic Delivery Authority Sir John Armitt for a visit to Rio de Janeiro, host city of the 2016 Games.

Communities face flood warnings

Thousands of people face another day of misery caused by the worst September storm for 30 years.

Heavy downpours swelled rivers and flooded 400 homes and businesses, while rail and road networks were swamped by high water levels.

While the rain will continue to ease off today, dozens of communities have been warned they are still at risk.

£20BN NHS savings spark care fears

Quality of care for patients could suffer as the NHS struggles to make £20 billion in efficiency savings, health experts have said.

Two-fifths of NHS finance directors expect patient care to worsen over the coming years, according to a survey.
Almost two-thirds think that the NHS as a whole will struggle to achieve the £20 billion “productivity challenge“ by 2015, according to The King’s Fund research.

Questions surround search for Megan

Confusion reigned today over how intensely the search for runaway schoolgirl Megan Stammers and her teacher was being conducted on the Continent.

Sussex Police said it was working with Interpol and the French authorities over the disappearance of Megan, 15, and 30-year-old maths teacher Jeremy Forrest.

But BBC News reported Interpol was unable to confirm that it was working on the case of the missing schoolgirl from Eastbourne, East Sussex.