Daily roundup: Child obesity, civil service apprenticeships, and teen pregnancy

The government should set maximum permitted levels of fat, sugar and salt in foods aimed at children, the Labour party has suggested. Ahead of a consultation due to be published this week, Labour argued that government needs to do more to tackle child obesity. Based on Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) research that showed 26.6 per cent of girls and 22.7 per cent of boys are considered overweight or obese in the UK, shadow health secretary Andy Burnham MP said “new approaches” were needed. “The government has failed to come up with a convincing plan to tackle this challenge. If we fail to act on the OECD’s warning we are storing up huge problems for the country and the NHS in the long term,” he said.

Government departments are to offer 100 young people apprenticeships this year. The two-year placements for 18- to 21-year-olds are part of the civil service’s plan to support “talented young people” who have not chosen to go to university. “Like any big organisation, the success of the civil service depends on its staff,” said minister for the Cabinet Office Francis Maude. “It already employs some of Britain’s best and brightest and we have one of the most popular graduate schemes. But we are in a global race and we need to attract more of the best talent, including those who have chosen not to pursue higher education.” Recruitment to the programme begins in April 2013 with the first applicants starting in September. Successful apprentices will be invited to apply for graduate career opportunities upon completion of the programme. 
 
Scotland’s parliament has launched an inquiry into teenage pregnancy. Led by the Health and Sport Committee, it will investigate what action is currently being taken to prevent pregnancies occurring in the country, and how support and advice for at-risk young people and teen mothers can be improved. "This inquiry is about trying to get the views of a cross section of organisations - from those in the NHS and nursing and midwifery professions through to the social workers and children's charities - to determine if Scotland can do any more to tackle this issue,” said deputy convener Bob Doris. Scotland has one of the highest rates of teenage pregnancy in Western Europe.

A private nursery chain has advertised unclaimed free nursery spaces for three and four-year-old children. The Old Station Nursery has almost 40 places available, and has urged parents to claim the 15 hours a week entitlement before the registration deadline of 17 January. “It would be a real shame if parents miss out on this vital opportunity, not just because it saves them money,” said Sarah Steel, managing director at the Old Station Nursery group.

Child benefit changes came into force at midnight last night. The new system will see families with one parent earning more than £50,000 lose part of the benefit, while those on a salary higher than £60,00 will lose it entirely. Anne Longfield, chief executive of 4Children, said removing the support was “a damaging blow for families already feeling stretched to the limit”. “Hard working families are already worried about how they will accommodate the rising cost of many day to day necessities such as childcare, rail fares and food,” she said. “Government has difficult decisions to make but families with children should not be on the frontline of cuts once again.” The Institute for Fiscal Studies estimates 820,000 families will lose the benefit, while 320,000 will have the amount they receive reduced.