Thousands of Scots may miss vote over UK future

The Scotsman

- The referendum to decide the future of the United Kingdom could be held on a Saturday during the October school break, First Minister Alex Salmond has revealed. His comments came after a Scottish government spokesman was reported as saying the referendum was being “lined up” for Saturday, 18 October, 2014. Political opponents warned that voters could be disenfranchised from the poll, with many Scots out of the country on holiday during the autumn break at the time of the referendum.

Parents pay price of childcare lottery

Daily Mail

- Scots have some of the highest childcare costs in the UK, with parents spending as much as pound;12,000 a year. A report by the charities Daycare Trust and Children in Scotland has revealed nursery prices in some areas are as high as southern England and only a fifth of Scottish local authorities have enough childcare for working parents. The average price of after-school care is pound;49 for 15 hours, which is higher than in England and Wales.

Job fears push pupils towards overseas study

Scotland on Sunday

- Growing numbers of Scottish school pupils are applying to study overseas to maximise their chances of finding a job after graduation. Despite similar levels of tuition fees and expensive travel costs, more young people are choosing universities in Europe, the United States and even Australia. While Scots remain exempt from fees in their home country, anyone travelling to university in England, Wales or Northern Ireland will be required to pay.

Children to receive diabetes insulin pumps

The Herald

- Hundreds of Scots youngsters with Type 1 diabetes will get access to life-changing insulin pumps under plans being rolled out. All eligible under-18s with the condition - estimated to be around 480 children and teenagers - will be offered pumps on the NHS. Insulin pumps are small medical devices that can be attached to the individual’s body and are programmed to administer the correct amount of insulin.

Lessons in love from children’s minister

Sunday Herald

- Scotland’s children’s minister says parents need to learn to show love to their children. Aileen Campbell, Minister for Children and Young People, said that mothers and fathers also have to focus on the basics when it comes to bringing up children. She pointed to the example of the of the Government’s recent “Play, Talk, Read” campaign, which encourages mothers and fathers of toddlers to interact with their children through nursery rhymes and games.