UK grooming gang inquiry faces further disruption as candidate for leader withdraws

Former Lambeth children’s services director Annie Hudson pulls out following intense media coverage A national grooming gang inquiry ordered by Keir Starmer is facing further disruption after one of two candidates who had been shortlisted to lead it withdrew from the process. Annie Hudson, a former director of children’s services for Lambeth, told survivors on … Read more

Walking just 4,000 daily steps once a week cuts risk of early death in older people, study suggests

Researchers say the target significantly reduces risk of dying and lowers likelihood of cardiovascular disease Older people who only walk 4,000 daily steps once a week still reduce their risk of dying early by a quarter, a study suggests. Staying active is known to bring a wide range of health benefits. But many people in … Read more

Boris Johnson rejects claim his government did not prepare for pandemic school closures

Former PM tells Covid inquiry that children were ‘paying a huge, huge price to protect the rest of society’ Boris Johnson rejected claims that his government failed to prepare for school closures at the outbreak of the pandemic, telling the Covid-19 inquiry that it would be “amazing” if the Department for Education (DfE) had not … Read more

Family law shift hailed as victory for children facing domestic abuse

‘Groundbreaking’ repeal of presumption of parental involvement in England and Wales ‘will ensure courts place safety of children above all else’ The family courts will no longer work on the presumption that having contact with both parents is in the best interests of a child, in a landmark change that domestic abuse campaigners have said … Read more