Daily roundup 19 May: Health staff, arson attacks, and obesity

A shortage of staff and a surge in demand has forced NHS bosses to spend £500,000 on temporary workers to help children suffering from mental health issues. According to the Hull Daily Mail, Humber Foundation Trust has spent £532,000 in the past year, to cover gaps in its child and adolescent mental health service teams.


Youth work has helped halve arson attacks across South Yorkshire, fire chiefs have said. According to the Doncaster Free Press, the number of small bin and grass fires last year was 2,527 compared to 5,082 three years ago. South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue hailed the work of community and youth projects for being responsible for the reduction.


British children are facing a “rising tide” of avoidable health problems because of their weight, the head of NHS England has warned. The Daily Mail reports that Simon Stevens believes taxes will have to rise to fund costs of care unless action is taken to prevent ill health.


Leading figures from political parties have backed a petition for electoral reform set up by a Member of the Youth Parliament. The petition, which calls for a fairer voting system, was delivered to Downing Street by the British Youth Council.


An inquiry into child sexual exploitation by Avon and Somerset police has seen a total of eight people arrested so far. According to the Bristol Post, the arrests concern alleged sexual offences against three children, aged between 12 and 15, in the Bristol area between 2011 and 2012.


Youth projects in Scotland are to benefit from more than £600,000 seized from criminals, the Daily Record reports. The money will be given to youth work sector organisations to deliver schemes for young people that are at risk of becoming involved in anti-social behaviour.