The first NHS clinic for compulsive gamblers has been launched in London. Running for a 12-month trial period, the National Problem Gambling Clinic will use motivational interviewing and behavioural therapy techniques alongside debt management. More than 250,000 people in the

The traditional sick note is set to be replaced by a new ‘fit note’ under new proposals announced by the government. GPs will be able indicate that someone is able to carry out some work with employers assessing if someone’s

Thousands of victims of violent crime are missing out on compensation, a committee of MPs has claimed. Apparently, only one in 20 victims apply for the compensation while just one in three is even aware they might be due some

Television sets are on the verge of becoming a whole lot more environmentally friendly. Traditional liquid crystal display (LCD) screens could be replaced by a new ‘true blue’ material, currently being developed in South Korea. Take a trip to your

Huge numbers of gift parcels are being sent to service personnel in Afghanistan and Iraq as Christmas approaches. Since December last year to has been free for soldiers’ families to send gifts and in October the number of post bags

Organic food sales are on the slide with shoppers opting for cheaper, so-called less healthy alternatives, according to a new survey. Market research company Mintel says consumers are now starting to question the health benefits of the foods against paying

Doom and gloom in the property market might not be universal. House builder Barratt Developments is reporting an increase in visitor numbers after cutting prices and launching new marketing initiatives. Take a look around the new housing estates and developments

A former mental health nurse has been awarded £825,000 after she suffered physical abuse from her patients. The 38-year-old carer has lost some movement in one of her arms and suffered muscle damage to her neck, meaning she can’t work

The credit crunch has even hit the world of Christmas trees. A small square in the Weoley Castle area of Birmingham is now housing a paltry looking 6ft tree minus lights and not much greenery – check out a photo

The ever-present spectre of knife crime has come to the fore again with the stabbing of a 27-year-old man at a music awards ceremony in London. Labour MP Keith Vaz said that efforts to fight the rising trend were not

More than 1,500 primary schools are due to be refurbished or newly-built in the next two years under plans worth £3.5bn. The cash injection is part of a wider scheme to update or rebuild half of England’s primary schools by

Over 2,000 children were suspended from schools in England last year for attacking fellow pupils and teachers. The official Government figures show that 1,470 five-year-olds, 720 four-year-olds and 260 three-year-olds were either suspended or expelled in the past 12 months.

An 11-year-old boy has become Britain’s youngest web editor. Ben Winchester set up hursleyvillage.info – a blog about events and news for children in the Hampshire village where he lives. What local entrepreneurs are lurking on your patch? Is the

Animal lovers are being told to entertain their pets to prevent them getting lonely. New codes of practice published by the Government are now online for dog, horse and cat owners. Mental stimulation and ensuring they have access to suitable

Not every business is suffering because of the credit crunch, it would appear. Sales of video games are booming with punters after a little escapism away from the current gloomy outlook. It is estimated that video games the market will

House prices fell in England and Wales by 7.3pc in the year leading up to October. The fall has taken prices back to the lowest levels for over two-and-a-half years. Have a look around your patch to see what’s happening