Daily roundup 12 June: Care applications, fish fingers, and air pollution

The number of applications for children to be taken into care has risen. Latest Cafcass statistics show that in May 2017 there were a total of 1,190 care applications - a three per cent increase in applications compared with May 2016. 


Children across the UK are confused about the origins of key foods, a new poll suggests, with one in five believing fish fingers are made from chicken. The Independent reports that when five- to seven-year-olds were asked where cheese came from, nearly one third said they thought it was made from a plant. Even among an older group of eight- to 11-year-olds, one in four thought the same about the milk-derived produce.


Children are at risk of dangerous levels of air pollution in cars because exposure to toxic air is often far higher inside than outside vehicles, a former government chief scientific adviser has warned. The Guardian reports that Professor Sir David King said walking or cycling to school would be much better for children's health.


A couple whose two young children were allegedly found with cocaine in their systems and traces of other drugs in their bodies have appeared in court facing charges of child neglect. SomersetLive reports that the 29-year-old woman and 37-year-old man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared in the dock side by side before Somerset Magistrates at Yeovil. 


A confidential report into an ex-youth worker jailed for child sex offences will be made public by Pembrokeshire Council's new cabinet. The BBC reports that the move follows a motion put forward by councillor Mike Stoddart, who said it was in the "public interest" to reveal the council's dealings with Michael "Mik" Smith. Smith, from Haverfordwest, was jailed for six years in 2014.