Daily roundup 22 May: Manchester bombing, consultation extension, and Telford CSE
Neil Puffett
Tuesday, May 22, 2018
Events take place in Manchester to mark the first anniversary of Manchester bombing; government consultation on improving outcomes for children in need extended; and process to pick a chair for inquiry into child sexual exploitation in Telford begins, all in the news today.
A day of remembrance is being held to mark the first anniversary of the Manchester Arena attack. The BBC reports that events include a service at Manchester Cathedral a mass sing-along, and a national minute's silence at 2:30pm. A total of 22 people were killed and hundreds injured when a bomb was detonated at the end of a concert on 22 May 2017.
A government consultation into how the educational outcomes of children in need can be improved has been extended. The Department for Education said the deadline for submissions has been extended until 1 July.
The first meeting of a special advisory group on child sexual exploitation in Telford is due to take place. The Shropshire Star reports that six Telford & Wrekin Borough councillors will meet to begin the process of choosing a commissioning body. The commissioning body will then pick an independent chair to lead the inquiry.
Perth and Kinross Council is preparing to scrap burial fees for children under 18. The Courier reports that the move comes as local authorities across Scotland face mounting pressure to end controversial bereavement costs, after Prime Minister Theresa May announced the practice would stop across England. Perth and Kinross is one of nine councils that still charges grieving families for the burials and cremations of children.
Hotel owners have been warned after 10 failed checks by police cracking down on the sexual abuse of children. The Huddersfield Daily Examiner reports that West Yorkshire Police and Calderdale Council carried out a joint investigation at 11 hotels. It followed a similar operation last year aimed at cracking down on the use of hotels to sexually abuse children.