Daily roundup 8 June: Childcare, child abuse inquiry, and sugar

Government plans to double free childcare allowance to 30 hours must be properly funded, a charity has warned. The Guardian reports that Citizens Advice said many parents could miss out on the scheme if providers aren’t given proper funding and don’t become more flexible.


The head of strategy at the NSPCC will co-chair an inquiry into child sexual abuse being held by the Office of the Children's Commissioner. The appointment of the NSPCC's Jon Brown follows the departure of former deputy children’s commissioner Sue Berelowitz, who had been chairing the inquiry, from the organisation. Berelowitz had her consultancy contract cancelled because it was found to breach Whitehall rules.


Sugar does not make children more hyperactive, it has been claimed. The Telegraph reports that psychologist David Benton said studies show giving sugary drinks to children actually makes them concentrate and perform better in tests.


There has been a spike in the number of fines being issued to parents for children’s unauthorised absences from school. The Eastern Daily Press reports that last year, a total of 5,483 penalty notices were issued to parents in Norfolk and Suffolk – almost seven times more than the previous year and more than 20 times the year before that.


Rotherham Council has set aside £1.65m to adapt the homes of foster carers and adopters. The money will aim to allow children to stay with families whose homes are unsuitable and avoid an estimated £2.3m being spent on independent fostering places, the Rotherham Star reports.