Daily roundup 13 July: Child tax credits, sugary drinks, and FGM

Labour will not oppose the limit of child tax credits to two children outlined in the Conservatives' Budget. The BBC reports that Harriet Harman, acting Labour leader, says the party cannot afford to adopt “blanket opposition”.


Doctors are calling for the government to introduce a 20 per cent tax on sugary drinks in order to tackle obesity. The Guardian reports that the tax, which would pay for subsidies on fruit and vegetables, is one of many recommendations in a report from the British Medical Association (BMA).


The NSPCC has launched an female genital mutilation (FGM) helpline for NHS staff to discuss any question or concern they have about the issue and receive advice on what action to take. The initiative has been supported by the Department of Health, with helpline staff receiving training from from FGM-specialist midwives as part of the national FGM Prevention Programme.


The government has lifted an improvement notice issued to Rochdale Council's children's services department. Rochdale, was graded "inadequate" by Ofsted in 2012. Its most recent inspection, published in December 2014, gave the authority a "requires improvement" rating.


More than 500 children in the Hull area are on a waiting list for mental health treatment, it has emerged. The Hull Daily Mail reports that the situation is due to an increase in referrals because of the pressure and stress of school exams.