Daily roundup: Army recruits, play and school fields

More than a quarter of army recruits are aged under 18 when they begin their careers, a group of MPs has revealed. A report published by the Commons Defence Select Committee showed 28 per cent of army personnel were 16- and 17-years-old when they joined, compared to five per cent for the Royal Navy and eight per cent of the Royal Air Force. A survey of all army recruits showed that nearly four out of 10 had literacy and numeracy levels at or below the standard expected for an 11-year-old, the BBC reports.

The government’s proposed changes to the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Bill threaten the quality of life of children across England and Wales, play experts have warned. A letter published in the Times signed by more than 50 heads of play organisations, museums and academics, said plans to alter the definition of anti-social behaviour to “conduct capable of causing nuisance and annoyance” could unnecessarily criminalise children. “Rather than tackling the root issue of anti-social behaviour, this will merely serve as another barrier stopping children from playing outdoors,” said the letter.