Daily roundup: Food prices, child abuse campaign, and transport for young people

The poorest families in the UK have been hit hardest by soaring food prices, a government study has found. The annual Family Food Survey, published by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) found that one pound in every six of the household expenditure of the poorest 20 per cent of families goes on food. This compares to one pound in every nine for all UK households. The survey shows that households are “trading down” to save money, in many cases buying less healthy products, rather than fresh fruit and vegetables.

A campaign has been launched to remind people that child abuse is not a problem of the past following publicity over the Jimmy Savile case in recent months. The NSPCC is calling on people to report current abuse using its helpline. Peter Watt, director of the NSPCC helpline, said: "By bravely speaking out, Savile's victims have done a great public service in raising awareness of child sex abuse and its long-lasting, devastating effect on victims. Our advert aims to remind people that child abuse remains a widespread problem and children are still abused today. To end their suffering and bring their abusers to justice we must all act now.”

Young people are finding it increasingly difficult to stay in work or education due to soaring transport costs, research has found. A study by the Work Foundation found that one in five young people have struggled to participate in such activities because of cost. It found that young people in rural areas are being hit particularly hard due to inadequate public transport routes from their homes. Katy Jones, lead report author and researcher at The Work Foundation, said: “Nearly one million young people are unemployed and for many lack of affordable transport is a key barrier to finding work. Yet central government policy does little to address this. The government should guarantee concessionary fares for young, long-term unemployed people.”