Daily roundup 26 October: Universal credit, fatal shooting, and legal action

The six-week wait for benefit payments under universal credit is a major obstacle to its success, an influential parliamentary committee has said. The Guardian reports that the work and pensions select committee said there was evidence the six-week wait was causing "acute financial difficulty".


A 14-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a man was fatally shot in the chest. The BBC reports that police were called to Barnard Close in Oswaldtwistle, near Accrington, at about 8.25pm on Wednesday to reports that a man aged 32 had suffered a single gunshot wound. He was taken to Royal Blackburn Hospital where he was pronounced dead.


A council that mistakenly leaked details of thousands of children and their adoptive parents is facing a possible compensation bill of tens of thousands of pounds. The BBC reports that information about 2,743 individuals was sent to 77 people by Newcastle City Council in an email attachment in June. At least 35 families are known to be taking legal action.


Campaigners who fear controversial changes to early help services for families will result in the closure of 35 children's centres are set to protest against the plans. The Bucks Free Press reports that campaigners will rally outside the county council offices in Aylesbury on 13 November - the same day the council's cabinet will discuss the plans.