Society daily 15.02.12

Sign up to Society daily email briefing Today's top SocietyGuardian stories • David Cameron hints at minimum alcohol price • NHS papers expose risks of health reforms • NHS bill eligible for new parliament debate after 100,000 sign e-petition • House of Lords votes down plan to cut housing benefit • Cuts to children's services risk greater social inequality, says coalition adviser • Poor diet kills 2.6 million infants a year, says survey by Save the Children • Online activists, union officials and tax campaigners plan fight against cuts • UK unemployment stuck at 17-year high as economy flatlines • NHS patient survey reports rise in postponed appointments • Joan Bakewell: We need a commissioner for older people • Christine Cawley: My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding exploits our community for cheap laughs In today's SocietyGuardian pages • Abuse case serves as a dire warning to foster parents • Playing it by the book: ex-con pens a prison guide for the uninitiated • Inside out: Youth custody is failing young people who want to change their ways • Jane Dudman: Why collaboration is the bedrock of reforms • Second thoughts: Groups with roots in the community are best placed to tackle gang crime • Attachment disorder: The families struggling to stay in control • Public manager: What next for charities delivering public services? • Mark Goldring: The NHS must accelerate its reforms on treating learning disabled patients • Interview: How a nurse is fighting for the rights of people with learning disabilities All today's SocietyGuardian stories Other news • The BBC reports that the Crown Prosecution Service and Met police had to pay a family more than £600,000 in damages and costs after details of the identity of a child witness were inadvertently passed on to gang members. • Britain's third biggest union, the GMB general union, is threatening to break its ties with Labour, due to Ed Miliband's refusal to promise an end to the public pay freeze, reports the Independent . On the Guardian Professional Networks On the Voluntary Sector Network ... • Sarah Hayes from Anthony Collins Solicitors discusses whether social impact bonds are a funding solution or nemesis for small charities On the Housing Network ... • Can public private partnerships solve Bahrain's housing crisis . Providing affordable housing through a private sector deal could be the first step in clearing Bahrain's 15 year waiting list. Abdul-Haq Mohammed explains On the Healthcare Network ... • Pose your questions to our panel of experts for our live discussion on long-term conditions and mental health , kicking off today at 12pm Events and seminars • How has the prison experience for vulnerable women moved on since the Corston report? The review outlined "the need for a distinct radically different, visibly-led, strategic, proportionate, holistic, woman-centred, integrated approach". But what progress has there actually been in the five years since the report? Find out by attending this lecture at Sussex University on Wednesday 29 February, given by HM chief inspector of prisons, Nick Hardwick. Closing date for RSVP is 17 February. Find further details and reserve a place here . • National Learn to Play Day Music for All, the charity of the UK musical instrument industry, has just announced its first annual National Learn to Play Day taking place on 31 March, 2012, when the UK's musical instrument shops will open their doors and offer free instrument "taster" lessons to the general public. There are 15 million people in the UK that either want to play an instrument or used to play one. The Play Day is designed to welcome people into music shops and to inspire them to get playing. It will offer free lessons on a variety of instruments, supported by music teachers and additional guidance on getting started learning to play music. The UK's instrument manufacturers will also be supporting the event with staff, instruments and special offers. SocietyGuardian blogs Patrick Butler's cuts blog Sarah Boseley's global health blog SocietyGuardian on social media Follow SocietyGuardian on Twitter Follow Patrick Butler on Twitter Follow Clare Horton on Twitter Follow Alison Benjamin on Twitter SocietyGuardian's Facebook page SocietyGuardian links SocietyGuardian.co.uk Guardian cutswatch - tell us about the cuts in your area Public Leaders - the Guardian's website for senior managers of public services The Guardian's public and voluntary sector careers page Hundreds of public and voluntary sector jobs SocietyGuardian editor: Alison Benjamin Email the SocietyGuardian editor: [email protected]