Daily roundup 4 January: Sugar consumption, housing, and child protection

The average five-year-old consumes the equivalent of their body weight in sugar in the course of a year, Public Health England has warned. It said the average five-year-old is consuming three-times the recommended maximum daily intake of five sugar cubes a day, reports the Telegraph.


High housing costs in England are affecting parents' ability to meet the needs of children, research by housing charity Shelter suggests. A survey of 853 parents of under-18s found a quarter had cut spending on clothes and heating to meet rent or mortgage costs, with one in 10 concerned they would be unable to meet housing costs in January, reports the BBC.


Police have launched a criminal investigation after three young children were discovered living in "squalid" conditions at a property in south Manchester. Police said the house had no running water, a toilet that would not flush, rubbish overflowing from the bins and no food. The children have since been taken into care, reports the Mirror.


Rail travel in London is now free for all children aged under 11. From today, parents of children aged between five and 10 can apply online for a Zip Oyster photocard to receive free travel on rail services in the capital, reports ITV.


Primary schools and nurseries in Sandwell spent nearly £4m on supply staff over the past year. Data obtained through a Freedom of Information request by the Express and Star, found Uplands Manor in Smethwick spent £240,000 on temporary staff, the highest of any school across the council in 2014/15.


The government has published a consultation to help schools and colleges keep pupils safe when they use the internet. It outlines plans for schools to use internet filters and teach children about online safety and gives advice to parents discussing cyberbullying and other online dangers with their children, the Telegraph reports.