Social Policy Digest.

The article presents information on a variety of issues related to social policies. Some of the subjects briefed in the article include--social security and income maintenance, health care, education, personal social services, law and the treatment of the offender, race relations, gender and demography. The brief on social security informs that a longitudinal study of marital breakdown found significant decreases in income for separating wives and children, with husbands faring less badly. A new chief executive was appointed to the Child Support Agency, and the independent case examiner started work. The brief on health care informs that the Conservative manifesto promised to increase spending on the National Health Service in real terms year on year, and to promote the Private Finance Initiative. A Green Paper set out options for mental health services, including joint mental health plans by health and local authorities and the creation of specialized authorities. A bulletin on patients formally detained in hospital under the Mental Health Act 1983 in England between 1990-91 and 1995-96 showed formal admissions to all facilities rising by 45 per cent, to 27,500 in 1995-96.