Older teens are more at risk of abuse and neglect than any other age group, according to new research from the Children's Society. The report also shows that four in five UK parents think neglect and abuse laws should be changed to include 16- and 17-year-olds. Existing child cruelty laws allow prosecutions to be brought for neglect, ill treatment and abandonment but only until the child is aged 15.  Teenagers aged 16 and 17 who live in England are more likely to be abused or neglected than any other age group, but are given the least protection, according to the analysis. The Children's Society is calling on the Government to make changes to the Serious Crime Bill, which includes changes to the law on child abuse and neglect.

A Scripture Union book designed to help with the move to secondary school has been banned at a Scottish school after humanists complained it could ‘distress’ pupils. Robert Douglas Memorial School in Scone, Perthshire, decided to stop handing out the book to primary school leavers after a complaint from one humanist parent as it mentioned prayer. The move was described as ‘petty’ by Rev David Robertson, the incoming Moderator of the Free Church of Scotland. Students at the school had formerly been given a copy of the book called 'It’s Your Move' at a leavers’ event. It is described as a ‘fun and friendly guide to moving to secondary school’ but the Humanist Society Scotland (HSS) said it could ‘cause distress’ for some children. Speaking to The Courier, Rev David Robertson said ‘This is petty and vindictive. I think this is a form of bullying and intimidation, telling a head-teacher what to do.’ (See also Europe story.)

In forthright evidence to a parliamentary inquiry into Britain’s rapidly-growing aid budget, Adam Smith International (ASI), which runs Government reform projects around the world and is a major contractor of the Department, said it is ‘concerned’ at how a growing volume of British aid is being ‘pushed’ into the hands of wasteful third parties as ministers seek to hit the government’s target of spending 0.7 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) on foreign aid. But ASI warned this represented a ‘false economy’ in helping the world’s poorest people as the global bodies are far less efficient and have higher administrative costs than projects run directly by Britain. It highlighted the World Bank’s $350 million (£227 million) programme in Afghanistan, towards which Britain has given some £300,000. Just 38 per cent of the project’s money has been released after three years, amid corruption and chaos under the former president, Hamid Karzai.

Baroness Jane Campbell, Dr Phil Friend OBE, Dr Kevin Fitzpatrick OBE and many other leading disabled people have organised a campaign to prevent a change in the law on assisted dying. Much media attention has been given recently to campaigns for voluntary euthanasia but the collective voice of disabled people on these life-and-death issues has not yet been heard by the media, courts, the legislators, the medical profession, social and health care policy makers and healthcare practitioners. ‘Not Dead Yet’ (NDY) campaigners are addressing this lack of information. On Wednesday this week there was a seminar to discuss the Assisted Dying Bill in the House of Lords and NDY campaigners were given 5 minutes each to pitch ideas that could be built on and implemented when the Assisted Dying Bill returns to the political arena after the general election. For insights into issues raised by the Assisted Dying Bill click the 'More' button. see also: 

Eric Pickles is expected to announce a decision on London’s so-called ‘megamosque’ within the next fortnight, following a three-week public inquiry last year. The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government was tasked with hearing the case after years of disputes and Newham Council’s rejection of planning application to build a large complex incorporating accommodation, a library, school and prayer halls. The original plans included capacity for at least 40,000 simultaneous attendees, although these were later scaled down due to widespread negative reaction. It is the size in particular – four times the capacity of St Paul’s Cathedral – that concerns objectors most, as well as issues regarding the usefulness of the site for the whole community. The site in Stratford has been owned by Tablighi Jamaat since 1996. A dogmatic and rigid branch of Islam, Tablighi Jamaat seeks to encourage Muslims to follow a stricter version of the faith

Thousands of bibles could be removed from university accommodation after they were branded 'inappropriate' in a multicultural environment. More than half of students surveyed at Aberystwyth University said they felt the compulsory inclusion of the book from Gideon International was 'uncomfortable' or 'unacceptable'. A proposal to have all bibles withdrawn from university-owned bedrooms will be put forward by the university's Students' Union council at a meeting later this month. A survey of students at Pentre Jane Morgan halls of residence was conducted by Aberystwyth Students' Union. It found that around 50 per cent of respondents found the compulsory inclusion of Bibles 'uncomfortable' or 'unacceptable.' The matter was raised at a student council meeting by student John David Morgan on January 22, where 50 people showed up. The motion, put forward at a student union council meeting, will be discussed later this month

Family breakdown is set to cost the taxpayer a staggering £47 billion in 2015, according to new figures released by a leading relationship think tank. The Relationships Foundation’s ‘Cost of Family Failure Index’ calculates annually the economic effects on society as a result of families splitting up. The Index analyses the cost of benefits, housing, health and social care, policing, the courts and education. These latest figures showed that there would be a £1,546 cost to each taxpayer a year, and disclosed an overall increase of £10 billion when compared to figures released in 2009 (£37 billion). In a press release, the Foundation said, ‘the cost of family failure continues to rise’, It shows that family breakdown not only has a terrible human cost in terms of the emotional toll on all members of the family, but also an enormous financial cost to society as the taxpayer picks up the pieces.’

The Minister for Civil Society has commended the 'excellent work' that charities promoting religion do in the UK. Rob Wilson was responding to a question in the House of Commons by Sir Edward Leigh, who raised concerns over whether so called British values would trump religious values and prevent groups from teaching their own faith. In his response, the Minister said: ‘More than 25,000 registered charities involve the promotion of religion. They play a hugely important role in our communities and support those in need. I pay tribute to their excellent work. They are often first in and last out of some of our toughest communities.’ The issue was raised following a decision by the Charity Commission to remove the charitable status of a group linked to the Plymouth Brethren. It led to some feeling Christian groups could be targeted in future for bringing their faith into their charitable work.

The Government is still in talks with a drugs company over the price of the jab but figures released by the Department of Health reveal that 1,065 people, including 613 children, have contracted meningitis B since it was licensed for use. Scientists recommended that the vaccine should be given to all infants. Yet almost a year on, despite the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) recommending Bexsero – the Department of Health has not been able to agree a price with makers Novartis since negotiations began last August. Last night Luciana Berger, the shadow minister for public health, warned that lives were being lost while the Government haggles over the cost of the vaccine. She said: ‘In the time that has passed since this life-saving vaccine was licensed, experts say more than 1,000 cases of meningitis B have been diagnosed and there are likely to have been around 100 deaths and many more children left with life changing consequences.’

A group of major Churches is promoting access to responsible credit and savings with the launch of the Churches Mutual Credit Union Ltd. (CMCU). The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev Justin Welby, joined the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, the Rt Rev John Chalmers and the President of the Methodist Conference, The Rev Ken Howcroft, at Church House in London, to celebrate their churches' collaboration in forming the flagship credit union. The CMCU, which also includes the Scottish Episcopal Church, and the Church in Wales, will offer a range of savings and loan products.  Fairness will be at the heart of the CMCU's values.  Initially members will be able to invest in the 'Founder Member's Bond' with ordinary savers accounts and loans becoming available in March.  In due course CMCU will offer ISA savings accounts.