Daily roundup 23 July: Bus discounts, Cumbria children's services and child sexual abuse

A discount bus fare scheme for all 16- to 18-year-olds in Wales has been launched. The BBC reports that the Welsh Young Persons Discounted Travel Scheme will save young people a third of the price of an adult bus fare from the 1 September.


Control of children's services in Cumbria will remain the responsibility of the county council, it has been announced. The North-West Evening Mail reports that the decision follows two months of deliberation within the government over whether external experts should be parachuted into the authority to improve standards.


The former head of MI5 urged the government to keep quiet about allegations of child sex abuse made against a senior MP, it has emerged. Sky News reports that Sir Antony Duff looked into allegations against an MP in 1986, but told the cabinet secretary at the time that “the risks of political embarrassment” was greater than the security danger.


A charity that supports young people who have been left homeless following family breakdown has been awarded a grant of £232,537. The Wyre Forest Nightstop and Meditation Scheme, which is part of the Depaul UK nightstop service, received the money from the Big Lottery Reaching Communities grant.


A 16-year-old girl has appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London charged with two terror offences. The Manchester Evening News reports that the girl was held in April after an investigation by the North West Counter Terrorism Unit.