Daily roundup 27 September: Education powers, 'smart drugs', and Slough

The Labour Party is preparing proposals to give councils new powers over academies and free schools in their area. The Independent reports the proposed move comes as key figures in the party believe there is not enough scrutiny over spending, too much wastage and a lack of joined-up planning over how education is provided within boroughs.?


A health watchdog has issued a warning to students about the dangers of taking "smart drugs". The BBC reports that the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency warn that young people are gambling with their health by using prescription medicines to try to get higher exam marks.?


The government has allowed Slough Borough Council to retake responsibility for children's education and children's centres. The Slough Observer reports that the services had been managed by Cambridge Education since 2013 but the £12m-per-year deal expires on Friday. The Department for Education was due to transfer responsibility to Slough Children's Services Trust, which currently looks after children's services as a whole, on October 1, but the DfE has revoked that decision and now the council will take control.?


A programme designed to equip young people with money management skills is to launch in schools and youth organisations in some of London's poorest boroughs. Education charity MyBnk said it will provide more than 1,200 students in Tower Hamlets and Islington with money skills workshops as part of a two-year project funded through a £100,000 grant from Mitsubushi UFJ Financial Group.?


A new programme board has been launched that aims to make sure every child grows up free from tooth decay. According to the government, the Children's Oral Health Improvement Programme Board brings together stakeholder organisations that all have key leadership roles for children and young people.?


A mass demonstration against plans by Bolton Council to axe children's centres will take place tomorrow. This is Lancashire reports that the council has been consulting on proposals to close around a dozen children's centres and campaigners are urging the council to reconsider.?


Members of the European Parliament have been called upon to take action to protect Europe's children and young people from aggressive marketing of products that are harmful to health and future wellbeing. The call has been made by nearly 40 children's rights, consumer, public health, alcohol control and medical organisations, including Eurochild and Alcohol Focus Scotland.?