External news

Parents still face huge regional variations when it comes to finding affordable and reliable childcare in the school holidays, according to a survey published today.

This is the true story of a day in the life of a 17-year-old boy, Shaun, who worked for writer Mark Johnson briefly before he got into a drunken, violent fight and was sent to jail. His background is one of poverty, chaos and lovelessness.

Letters: I have no wish to pick a fight with Phil Taylor, regional director of the UK Borders Agency, who has a difficult and unenviable job to do (Letters, July 14). However, given that he has dispensed with his department's usual practice of not comment

Half of the country's youth clubs are surviving hand to mouth, attempting to provide services on less than £10,000 a year funding, a new report reveals.

It's a bond like no other - the unconditional love grandparents have for their grandchildren. As a new BBC series, The Grandparent Diaries, examines the relationship, three writers reflect on what it means to them.

Seizing children's mobile phones and bicycles could deter them from getting into trouble, according to Chris Grayling, the Shadow Home Secretary.