Daily roundup: Strike action, Universal Credit and tobacco warnings

Teachers in England are set to go on strike if Education Secretary Michael Gove refuses to meet them to discuss pay, pensions and workloads. The two biggest teachers’ unions NASUWT and the NUT have announced plans for a national strike before Christmas on a yet to be announced date. Teachers have accused the government of "reckless and irresponsible behaviour" and claim Gove will only engage in "megaphone diplomacy".

The government's flagship welfare reform programme has been criticised as overambitious and poor value for money. The BBC reports that the National Audit Office highlighted glitches with IT systems and said risks were taken to hit targets. Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith said problems with IT had now been fixed. "This will be delivered within budget and within the timescale," he said.

Graphic pictures on cigarette packets are failing to deter teenage smokers from lighting up, research has claimed. ITV News reports that a study by online journal Tobacco Control found that pictures have more effect on teenage smokers than written warnings, but because they are placed on the back of the pack, they have little overall effect.

A survey to assess the concerns and worries of young people has been launched by children's mental health charity YoungMinds. It said results from the online survey will shape the development of a new campaign to create a better future for young people. The survey will cover issues that concern young people such as body image, academic pressure, worries about job prospects and cyberbullying.

And finally, the Pre-school Learning Alliance has launched guidance to support charity trustees. The organisation says many people who are eager to volunteer are discouraged by the potential for personal liability within the role of a trustee. The guide supports childcare providers to charitable incorporated organisations to provide greater protection from personal liability for trustees.