Society daily 13.04.12

Miss Dynamite raises awareness of youth unemployment — British musician Miss Dynamite join Battlefront campaign, raising awareness of the large number of unemployed young people in the UK. Photograph: Leon Neal/AFP/Getty Images

Today's top SocietyGuardian stories

• Black people more likely to be jobless in Britain than US, research reveals

• University where 20% of students are Muslim considers alcohol-free zones

• Labour move to block MPs standing for mayor or police chief in disarray

• Cigarettes may have to be sold in plain packets following public consultation

• Private sector medical staff assessing benefit claimants told to sign Official Secrets Act

• NHS could be destabilised by local pay, Department of Health warns

• Vince Cable and David Davis break ranks to join outcry over charity tax cap

• Mayoral candidate Livingstone sheds tears at plight of Londoners

• David Blunkett criticises extended role for police community support officers

• The northerner: Taxpayers benefit from Manchester's non-custodial scheme

• English health compared and mapped: Find out how each local authority compares in our data blog

• Education in London: pupils by race, poverty and language for every local authority. What kinds of children attend London's state schools? See how key education indicators differ by local authority in our data blog

• Nicholas Hytner: On tax avoidance, allow me to leap to the defence of the super-rich

• Linda Butcher: Charities should not fear a lobbying register, but this proposal is inadequate All today's SocietyGuardian stories

On the Guardian Professional Networks

• On the local government network: Councils need to work together to fund infrastructure. The government's policy for local growth is incomplete – but councils can support business with the right tools.

• On the voluntary sector network: Bringing business values to community action. Not-for-profit doesn't mean compromising on efficiency: 10 top tips to help community groups achieve value for money.

• One the public leaders network: How to start a thinktank. Who are the real experts in the field? Part three of our series looks at the nature of expertise: who has it, how to find it and how to make the most of it.

On my radar ...

•Britain's housing market is failing to meet the needs of older people despite a rapidly ageing population and a growing demand for retirement housing, says Shelter.

In a new report, A Better Fit, the housing charity explores the housing options available to the over 55s; a group which will make up one in three people in England by 2030. The need for specialist housing for older people with care needs is particularly acute. The report found that if current levels of demand remain constant, supply would have to increase by over 70% in the next 20 years in order to keep up. And despite more than three quarters (80%) of older homeowners saying they would be most likely to remain homeowners if they move, there is very little specialist housing available to buy.

Shelter is warning that developers and local planners are missing a huge opportunity to deliver better housing for older people, which would not only help older people but could also ease the country's housing crisis. If just a fifth of older households who are currently "under-occupying" their homes downsized, it could free up as many as 840,000 family-sized homes – more than has been built over the last eleven years.

• An ad campaign sponsored by Christian charity Core Issues promoting "gay cure" therapies on the sides of buses has been banned by Transport for London, who argued they did not reflect the company's "commitment to a tolerant and inclusive London". The banners, were a response to gay rights campaigners Stonewall's recent campaign, which used the strapline "Some people are gay, get over it!", and declared "Not gay! Ex-gay, post-gay and proud. Get over it!".

There have been reports that the TfL acted after London mayor Boris Johnson intervened, personally, sparking a row about free speech and censorship. Naturally, it's caused a stir on the news threads ...

Other news

• The Taxpayers' Alliance claims the local authority pension shcemes are still a "ticking time bomb". Though the UK council schemes £54bn deficit in 2010-11 was lower than the previous year's shortfall of £94bn, it remains higher than 2008-09, reports the BBC.

• Direct action group UK Uncut is planning to stage a series of alternative street parties in the runup to the Queen's jubilee celebrations as well as the Olympics. Aiming to highlight the cuts and closures of local public services, the events will include blocking roads, reports the Independent.

Events and seminars

Digital communications and campaigning for charities

Thursday 19 April, Kings Cross, London

This half-day seminar will enable you plan, implement and manage your online campaign to maximum effect. It will give you practical advise on how to get the most out of popular social media websites as well as help you define your target audience. This event is a must for anyone needing to plan a campaign to create relationships with supporters to champion your long-term aims.

The Green Deal - A real opportunity?

Tuesday 24 April, Kings Cross, London

The Green Deal offers opportunity for both the social housing sector and local authorities to reduce carbon emissions. How can your organisation maximise the benefits of the scheme for both tenants and your finances?

Making the most of social media for social housing

Friday 4 May, Kings Cross, London

This overview of social media channels will show you how to use them to maximum effect, with clear, practical examples of ways to save money, improve your communications and form a social media campaign

Managing volunteers

Tuesday 15 May, Kings Cross, London

Engaging with volunteers is an increasingly challenging task. This half-day seminar will help you explore what 21st century volunteers want and what you need to do to involve them effectively. Delivered by leading expert Rob Jackson, this session is a must for anyone building a long-term volunteer engagement strategy.

Successful bid writing

Friday 18 May, Kings Cross, London

Bid writing is an essential skill in voluntary sector organisations. This interactive seminar will help you create applications and bids that demonstrate your organisation's strengths and priorities, how you differ from other projects, what the benefits are for your clients and the community and how you'll be able to measure them.