Society daily 01.12.2010

Wine drinkers — The government hopes to 'nudge' the public into improving their health. Photograph: Cathal Mcnaughton/PA

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Full coverage: the public health white paper

Ministers pledge £4bn to tackle smoking, drinking and obesity

Tax on high strength beer to go up

David Kidney: time for a public health service

Michael White: from nanny state to 'nudge' state

Today's top SocietyGuardian stories

Hutton report links top public sector salaries to low pay

Government advisers 'warned against housing benefit reform'

Pickles calls on councils to dip into £10bn reserves

MPs warning over elected police commissioners

RSPCA loses charity legacy court appeal

Peter Beresford: volunteers cannot replace professional social workers

Patrick Butler: a vote of confidence for youth charities

All today's SocietyGuardian stories

Other news

• Tory government "fixer" Oliver Letwin has been drafted in to scrutinise health secretary Andrew Lansley's NHS white paper plans amid concerns over its implementation, reports the Financial Times.

• There has been a 17% increase in the number of children on protection plans in England, according to latest government figures reported in Community Care.

On my radar ...

• The health white paper. There's a useful collection of sober white paper reaction from GP Online. You may prefer this typically scabrous off-the-cuff analysis from Andy Cowper, who separates the "egregious bits of crap" from the "blatant horseshit" so you don't have to. Mentions too for blog posts from LGiU (which asks "will nudging be enough") and the wise Paul Corrigan who writes:

"I would expect in a few weeks' time, as this white paper gets into trouble, that we will hear the current secretary of state dropping the idea that this is a radical new approach and confirming that it is, in fact, a continuation of the past."

• John Harris's fantastic short film for the Guardian, which examines the impact of the cuts on his home town of Frome, Somerset. There's trouble in store for its library, its theatre, small local shops and the post office. Tesco hovers in the wings, while the local Liberal Democrat MP simply looks shifty and embarrassed. "People in Frome are beginning to see the reality," says a local woman, gloomily. Compelling viewing.

• This study of the impact of local citizen-run websites by Networked Neighbourhoods (see also this blog post on the report by the Guardian's Sarah Hartley). The report concludes:

"[The sites] serve to enhance the sense of belonging, democratic influence, neighbourliness and involvement in their area. Participants claim more positive attitudes towards public agencies where representatives of those agencies are engaging online."

• Guardian Leeds, which has uncovered the expenses run up by the office of the Lord Mayor in the city over the last five years, from clothing allowances to official photos. A cool £1.6m. Fascinating, but do we know whether it represents value for money or not?

• UCL professor David Colquhoun, who blogs about protesting students in this post, UCL's Beautiful Occupation (thanks @kieronflanagan).

• The contents of Arsenal footballer Alex Song's music playlist, compiled to raise money for the charity Centrepoint via the Fairsharemusic website.

• An independent evaluation of the Teach First scheme, examined in this New Philanthropy Capital blog post, which concludes that:

"The graduate teachers were found to be either as effective or more effective than more experienced teachers. The factors leading them to be effective were found to be a combination of enthusiasm, strong leadership and a belief that they could positively impact on their pupils' outcomes."

• Details of the government's "transition fund" for public service provider charities in financial dire straits. The devil is in the detail. There will be good charities that might need the money, but won't be eligible.

• Snow. I know this is a bit tangential to the normal business of Society daily, but I couldn't resist this gripping ice terror story reported by Norwich Evening News 24. There's probably a big society angle in there somewhere (thanks @AJRHayman).

Today's SocietyGuardian supplement highlights

Ultra-localism: the rise of the parish council

The Tory MP and GP standing up to the coalition's NHS reforms

Clare Allan: Gillian McKeith, bullying and reality TV

All today's SocietyGuardian supplement stories

Guardian and Observer Christmas Charity Appeal 2010

Charities working with disadvantaged young people in the UK will be the beneficiaries of this year's Guardian and Observer charity appeal.

Read profiles of our 10 chosen charities, see our pick of their photographs and make a donation in the Christmas Charity Appeal area of our site.

Events

"Big Society" and its role in local government December 7, London. This is an essential seminar for managers and leaders looking for a practical definition of big society and how it will work within local government. As well as a keynote speech from the government's adviser on big society, Lord Wei, delegates will also hear first hand accounts of how other local government managers are implementing big society in their councils and the best practice they have developed.

Transforming Social Care through IT Finding your way in a changing service environment. December 8, London.

This conference brings together best practice examples, policy leaders and industry experts to discuss the challenges facing social care providers and IT support teams. Our lineup of expert speakers includes Terry Dafter, service director adult social care, Stockport metropolitan borough council; Jennifer Bernard, consulting director, SCIE; Nick Johnson, chief executive, Social Care Association; and Sian Walker, service director, Adult Care Operations, Wiltshire council. Register now and take advantage of our three for two offer.

HR Summit, 18 January, London. Creating the workforce you need to meet the challenges ahead. Two for one delegate place offer if you book before the 17 December.

Public Services Summit New models, new relationships, a new era. 10 & 11 February 2011, St Albans. Join leading thinkers, practitioners and policy makers for discussion and debate about the future of our public services. A 15% early bird deal is available.