New figures show that the number of children at risk of sexual grooming in Leeds has more than trebled since 2011. The Yorkshire Evening Post reports that 153 children were believed to be at risk of grooming the in past 12 months, compared to 47 in 2011/12.
Sandwell Council has approved plans to slash its youth service budget by 54 per cent despite a youth-led campaign to prevent the cuts. The Halesowen News reports that councillors backed the decision to cut funding by £950,000 during a meeting on Tuesday.
A total of 20 young people under the age of 20 died as a result of drug misuse in 2013, latest government figures show. Statistics released by the Office for National Statistics show that deaths as a result of drug misuse in that age category has risen slightly since 2012 when there were 17.
Eight men have been charged with sexually abusing girls under the age of 16 between 2005 and 2012. The BBC reports that eight men from Aylesbury, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire and Chesham were arrested after 120 officers conducted a string of dawn raids.
Ofsted chief inspector Sir Michael Wilshaw has said the government should ensure that disadvantaged children receiving 15 hours of free childcare do so from a school-based nursery, not a childminder. He told the London Evening Standard that it would be the best way to improve social mobility.
New minister for civil society Brooks Newmark says he supports government moves to rein in campaigning by charities. The Times reports that Newmark backed comments made by Gwythian Prins, a member of the Charity Commission’s board, who said charities should “stick to their knitting”. Newmark added: “By that I mean promoting the agenda of helping others. When they stray into the realm of politics it’s not what they are about and not what the public gives them money for.”
More than 100 children are yet to be found a primary school place in Nottingham despite the new academic year having already started this week. The Nottingham Post reports that although there are 207 places available, parents of the children without a place are unhappy with the schools they have been offered, leading to a stand-off with the council.
The age children should be allowed in swimming pools without an adult is to be debated by Stockton Council. The Stockton Gazette reports that the council previously changed its guidelines in 2012 following a sexual attack on a child at a community centre in the borough. Parents were advised that children under 10 should not be allowed in swimming baths and other public buildings without adult supervision. Previously eight was considered an appropriate age.
