Daily roundup: Legislation to cap benefits, 'pornification', and fast food in Wales

Controversial legislation to cap benefit increases at one per cent until 2016 have passed through the House of Commons. The BBC reports that the bill, which Labour MPs attempted to block, will now go to the House of Lords to be debated by peers. The Welfare Benefits Up-rating Bill was passed by 305 votes to 246. Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith said spending had to be brought “back under control”, otherwise the poorest in society will “fare the worst”.

Children in Britain are being damaged by an “anything goes” attitude to sex and the “pornification” of modern life, a Labour MP is expected to say. The Guardian reports that shadow public health minister Diane Abbott will condemn sexualised advertising, music videos and online bullying at a speech to the Fabian Society’s women’s network today. She will argue that most children say their sex education is out of touch, and irrelevant, with boys turning instead to hardcore online pornography to “teach them what they think they need to know”.

Wales’s chief medical officer has called for a ban on fast food outlets near schools as part of efforts to tackle child obesity. The South Wales Argus reports that Ruth Hussey said other options, such as not allowing pupils to leave school at lunchtimes and providing healthier meals, should also be considered. She said: "Obesity in childhood can lead to a lifetime of serious health problems, including heart disease, cancer, diabetes and high blood pressure. Refusing applications for more fast-food outlets in the vicinity of schools would support children to make healthier food choices.”

The Department for Education decision to end a quality mark scheme for supply teachers has sparked safeguarding concerns. The Recruitment and Employment Confederation said it is “extremely disappointed” with the decision not to continue the scheme when the current contract ends on 31 March. It said schools value the mark as a “government endorsed guarantee”. REC chief executive Kevin Green said: “It is vital safeguards are maintained. Of course government budgets are under pressure, but it is short-sighted not to recognise that the quality mark provides a cost effective framework for enhancing safe recruitment.”

And finally, a 15-year-old girl has been arrested and charged with criminal damage after a snowball was thrown at a window. The Epsom Guardian reports that the snowball caused £200 worth of damage to a property. The girl has been bailed to appear at South East Surrey Youth Court at the end of the month.