aged 12 and under, where the number of prescriptions rose on average by 24%. 0ur correspondent paul connellys can have a powerful and positive impact for people suffering from mental health issues and a bbc investigation conducted by radio 4 has discovered that in britain, more children than ever before are being described the drugs. the figures were obtained by freedom of information requests and relate to a group of antidepressants known as selective serotonin reu pta ke known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or ssris. they show that in england, over the past three years, there was a 15% rise in the number of these antidepressants prescribed to under—18s. in scotland, a 10% rise while in northern ireland, the number rose by 6% and there were 950,000 prescription items between april 2015 and march 200018. prescription items between april 2015 and march 2000 18. this is a very stressful time the young people with the pressures of social media and some distressing news articles around at the moment, we need to remember that young people have a lot of pressures on their well—being an

paul connelly, bbc news. sector workers are expected to get a pay rise in the biggest round of wage hikes for nearly a decade. teachers, doctors, police and prison officers could receive as much as a three and 0.5% increase. the salary boost will be annouced later and is thought to be paid for by individual departments rather than the treasury. north korea appears to have begun dismantling a key rocket launch site in the country's north—west. satellite images seen by a us monitoring group suggest the pyongyang regime is complying with a promise made to president trump in talks injune. 0ur seoul correspondent, laura bicker, joins us now. how do we know this is happening? well, these are satellite images monitored by the site 38 north, a reputable site that monitors all the activity going on throughout north korea. now, what they've spotted is action happening in this usually space satellite launching site in the north—west of the country near the north—west of the country near the chinese border. what they bel

paul connelly has more.health issues, and a bbc investigation conducted by radio 4's file on four has discovered that in britain, more children than ever before are being described the drugs. the figures were obtained by freedom of information requests and relate to a group of antidepressants known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or ssris. they show that in england, over the past three years, there was a 15% rise in the number of these antidepressants prescribed to under—18s. in scotland, there was a 10% rise, whilst in northern ireland, the number rose by 6%, and there were 950,000 prescription items between april, 2015 and march, 2018. this is a very stressful time for young people. with the pressures of social media and some of the very distressing news articles around at the moment, we need to remember that young people have a lot of pressures on their wellbeing and it's actually a very positive thing, if young people are stepping forward and asking for help with their mental health. the depa

paul connelly, bbc news.ht on radio four at 8pm. raising a child with special educational needs or disability comes with extra challenges. today a group of parents in bristol is taking the city council to the high court because of its decision to cut spending for children like there's wi—fi million pounds. it is the first case of its kind but at least two councils will face similar challenges soon. local authorities are feeling the heat especially when it comes to supporting children with special educational needs. like this boy, who has adhd and autism. it was difficult to concentrate in school. but now you are doing really well? yes. oche wants to work on these stea m yes. oche wants to work on these steam trains and right now he's working towards his gcses the one—to—one support that makes that possible is costly and his counsel, surrey, says it needs to save £21 million, a move the family will soon fight in the high court. if they don't have the funding for a mainstream school, the teacher has to direct t

paul connelly, bbc news.in the biggest round of wage hikes for nearly a decade. teachers, doctors, police and prison officers could receive as much as a 3.5% increase. the salary boost will be annouced later and will be paid for by individual departments rather than the treasury. north korea appears to have begun dismantling a key rocket launch site in the country's north west. satellite images seen by a us monitoring group suggest the pyongyang regime is complying with a denuclearisation promise made to president trump in talks injune. members of the thai youth football team, who were trapped underground for two weeks before being rescued, are to begin the process of becoming temporary buddhist monks. later today, the boys will have their heads shaved before spending nine days in a monastery. they'll be joined by their coach for meditation and prayer to cleanse their souls and thank those who helped to free them. that's a summary of the latest bbc news, more at 9:30am. do get in touch with us throughout the

paul connelly has more. bbc investigation conducted by radio 4's file 0n four has discovered that in britain, more children than ever before are being prescribed the drugs. the figures were obtained by freedom of information requests and relate to a group of antidepressants known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or ssris. they show that in england, over the past three years, there was a 15% rise in the number of these antidepressants prescribed to under—18s. in scotland, there was a 10% rise, whilst in northern ireland, the number rose by 6%, and there were 950,000 prescription items between april, 2015 and march, 2018. this is a very stressful time for young people. with the pressures of social media and some of the very distressing news articles around at the moment, we need to remember that young people have a lot of pressures on their wellbeing and it's actually a very positive thing, if young people are stepping forward and asking for help with their mental health. the department of health in