Interesting links, articles, news and blog posts sent out to members on 01/05/25.
News: New sugar tax set to be added to coffee and milkshakes in UK – Wales Online on Yahoo News
29 April 2025, Neil Shaw. The tax already added to high-sugar fizzy drinks could be extended to cover some coffees and milkshakes – as well as hundreds more drinks – under new Government plans. The change in the rules would cover coffee drinks like pre-packaged lattes:
Link: https://uk.news.yahoo.com/sugar-tax-set-added-coffee-074434737.html
Policy paper: Babies, children and young people’s experiences of domestic abuse – Home Office
28 April 2025. The Domestic Abuse Commissioner’s vision for transformation in the response to babies, children and young people subject to domestic abuse:
Open consultation: Strengthening the Soft Drinks Industry Levy – HM Revenue & Customs and HM Treasury
28 April 2025. HMRC and HM Treasury are seeking views on proposed changes to the Soft Drinks Industry Levy (SDIL). This consultation closes at 11:59pm on 21 July 2025:
Link: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/strengthening-the-soft-drinks-industry-levy
Article: Ofcom announces new rules for tech firms to protect children online – BBC News Online
24 April 2025, Hafsa Khalil & Imran Rahman-Jones. Websites will have to change the algorithms that recommend content to young people and introduce beefed-up age checks or face big fines, the UK media regulator has confirmed:
Link: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5yljn2vkn1o
News: Last year, an entire town’s primary schools banned smartphones. This is what happened – The Independent Online
22 April 2025, Holly Bancroft. Just under a year ago, headteachers at primary schools in St Albans told families their learning environments would be smartphone free and urged parents not to give their children the devices until the age of 14:
News: Ministers privately ruling out scrapping two-child benefits cap – Guardian Online
22 April 2025, Pippa Crerar. Sources says government is ‘not going to find a way’ to ditch cap despite predictions that child poverty levels will soar:
Article: Breakfast clubs open in 750 schools, but campaigners urge PM to go further to end child poverty – Nursery World
22 April 2025, Catherine Gaunt. As free breakfast clubs open in 750 schools from Tuesday – part of Government’s plan to tackle child poverty – charities appeal to the prime minister directly to scrap the two-child benefit cap:
Publication: Priorities for preventing mental ill health among children and young people – Centre for Mental Health
8 April 2025, David Woodhead. Mental health problems can cast a long shadow over a child’s life. Addressing them early and providing robust support systems can mitigate the long-term impacts, and help young people build a foundation for a healthier, thriving future:
Link: https://www.centreformentalhealth.org.uk/publications/invest-in-childhood/