The charity’s annual report revealed that nearly 250,000 youngsters say they are unhappy and that kids overall wellbeing is at its lowest level since 2009. 

Spokesperson Matt Hussey told Premier the Children’s Society is “deeply concerned” by the results of the 2019 survey.  

He said the findings reveal a growing level of anxiety among today’s youth: “Children are particularly worried about the future – about things like Brexit and climate change all the way to more personal issues, such as not having enough money in the future and not being able to find a job. 

“It’s really worrying that children feel weighed down by these big issues of the day.” 

The study found that factors like friendship, school and body image were also contributing factors to their self-esteem, with nearly one in 12 boys aged 10 to 15 saying they didn’t like their appearance. 

“Boys are feeling increasingly under pressure, to go to the gym, to look a certain way, to follow fashion. So what we’re seeing is an unfortunate downward trend in the way that boys are feeling about the way they look.” 

Body confidence is still a bigger issue among young women, but the gap between boys and girls on this topic is narrowing, according to the report. 

Hussey says children are feeling more isolated and alone in their problems: “Substantial numbers of children feel like they have nobody they can turn to and nobody they can talk to. A really good way of building friendships, is…

The Church of England bishops wrote in an open letter: “Exiting the EU without an agreement is likely to have a massive impact on all our people and the Government is rightly preparing for this outcome.

“It is unlikely, however, that leaving without an agreement, regardless of consequences, will lead to reconciliation or peace in a fractured country.”

The Prime Minister’s decision on Wednesday to close parliament between mid-September and the Queen’s speech on 14th October was also referenced, with them saying: “The sovereignty of Parliament is not just an empty term, it is based on institutions to be honoured and respected: our democracy is endangered by cavalier disregard for these.”

Sir Desmond Swayne, a Christian and pro-Brexit Conservative MP for New Forest West, told Premier’s News Hour he was in favour of Mr Johnson’s latest move, saying: “I think it’s longer overdue and as for the hot air and the outrage – it’s bogus nonsense. The fact is that a session of Parliament normally lasts a year, this one has lasted over double that. It is high time that we had the prorogation that normally preceeds the new session of Parliament so that the government can set out its agenda. As for taking away the opportunities of those who are opposed to Brexit to do what they want to do, a mere three sitting days are being lost, three sitting days. The rest is just hyperbole…

Pastor Alain Toledano Valiente, leader of Emanuel Church in Santiago de Cuba was first summoned by police last Thursday for not having permission to hold a youth event, according to Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW).

When asked to sign a pre-arrest warrant, which threatened him with arrest if the activity went ahead he refused and was summoned a second time by authorities.

Valiente, who is a prominent leader in the country’s apostolic movement told CSW he was concerned that the actions of the police were an attempt to provoke him.

On Monday, Valiente was instructed to the visit the Department of Physical Planning’s office, where he was told an inspection would be carried out on a plot of land where Emanuel Church is constructing a new building.

The owners of the land where the church currently meets were also threatened and forced to sign a document prohibiting church services on their property and threatened to confiscate the property if they refused.

Emmanuel Church has been subjected to a series of threats by the government to prevent the construction of the property.

In February 2016, Emanuel Church’s building had been demolished by authorities and hundreds of church members were detained.

Toledano Valiente told CSW: “They are looking to throw us into the street again.

“The intention of what they are doing, attacking the two locations where we are today and where we could be tomorrow…is to block both places. They don’t want me to continue the…

The Most Rev Justin Welby described climate change as “the most pressing investment challenge of our time”, and urged the investment community to take “environmental, social and governance factors” into account when making decisions.

Mr Welby’s comments come a day after he confirmed he would be willing to chair a citizens’ forum on Brexit “in principle” after being approached by senior MPs, but conditions on him accepting the role “have not yet been met”.

In a video message for the Global Ethical Finance Initiative (GEFI) ahead of this autumn’s world summit on ethical finance in Edinburgh, Mr Welby said: “Money is not morally neutral – it can do harm and it can do good.

“At the very least it is the responsibility of investors to take account of environmental, social and governance factors in their investment decisions and in their stewardship of their assets.

“At its best, ethical finance can drive positive change in the world, while still being responsible for its investors.

“It can ensure that while meeting investors’ risk return requirements, investments benefit people and planet.

“I’d like to focus for the next few moments on the most pressing investment challenge of our time – climate change.

“Because frankly, the investment community has still not sufficiently stepped up to the plate on this.

“I’ve seen for myself the devastation of climate change – I’ve seen…