At a glance headlines: January 5, 2015

Calls have been made for a change in the law to better protect more than 42,000 vulnerable 16 and 17-year-olds. The criminal law for child cruelty, neglect and ill-treatment currently only covers children until their 16th birthday. The Children’s Society wants to see this raised to 18 and quotes official figures showing that last year 42,260 children aged 16 or 17 were considered by social services in England to be “in need” and at a greater risk of abuse and neglect. The charity is calling for provisions to be included in the Serious Crime Bill, currently going through Parliament, to close the loophole. Matthew Reed, chief executive of the charity, said: “It is nonsensical and unacceptable that adults cannot be prosecuted for behaviour against children aged 16 or 17 that would be considered cruelty if the victim was 15. If MPs are serious about stopping child cruelty – including child sexual exploitation – they must act to close this legal loophole.”