Daily roundup 17 January: Child victims, vasectomies, and SEND cuts

Hundreds of the most vulnerable victims of crime are being prevented from testifying against their attackers because of a shortage of experts to help them give evidence, the victims' commissioner has warned. The Guardian reports that Helen Newlove is calling for extra support and funding for registered intermediaries who give a voice in court to those, such as the very young or adults with learning difficulties, who have problems communicating.


A Conservative MP has apologised for a 2012 blog post in which he suggested benefit claimants should have vasectomies. The BBC reports that in the post Ben Bradley, made Tory vice-chairman for youth in last week's reshuffle, hit out at what he called a "vast sea of unemployed wasters". Apologising, he said he had matured since writing the now-deleted remarks, which were highlighted by Buzzfeed.


Funding given to school groups to help children in Norfolk with complex needs will be cut by £5m. The Norwich Evening News reports that Norfolk County Council plans to cutting the special educational needs and disabilities budget for school clusters - groups of nearby schools - from £9.4m to £4.4m.


Youth minister Tracey Crouch will take on the additional role of "minister for loneliness", it has been announced. The BBC reports that Crouch said she was proud to take on the "generational challenge" to tackle an issue affecting about nine million UK people, young and old. She said she would work across political parties and with communities.
 
 
Grimsby's last remaining open-access youth club will have to close unless the community can help raise the £40,000 it needs to keep going this year. The Grimsby Telegraph reports that the 40-year-old Shalom Youth Project, a voluntary organisation that aims to help the lives of children and young people living in the area's most deprived ward, is set to run out of money by March.