London - The British government, alarmed by revelations of abuse in children's homes, yesterday announced a package of measures to correct what it called "a woeful picture of failure". The Health Secretary, Mr Frank Dobson, said the government would spend £380 million over the next three years improving the care of children for whom local authorities were responsible. He also pledged to set up a criminal records agency to improve checks on people intending to work with children.
Five men were arrested yesterday in early morning swoops by child protection teams, Scotland Yard said last night.