11 h. ago Bridget Phillipson hit with blow after MPs issue stark warning over 6,500 new teacher vow

Bridget Phillipson is under pressure over Labour’s landmark election vow to hire 6,500 additional teachers as MPs warn it is 'unclear' how the pledge will be delivered

Events

21 h. ago The six starkest warnings from OBR as report lays bare the perilous state of UK public finances

Here are the most stark warnings in the Office for Budget Responsibility’s report

Events

26 h. ago From Sherlock Holmes to Poirot, Bridget Phillipson reveals the books which inspired her to read growing up

Exclusive: The education secretary has written for The Independent about the books that inspired her growing up and the joy of reading to her own children as she declares 2026 as National Reading Year

Politics

27 h. ago Voices: I learned the power of reading on my grandad’s knee – now I’m passing it on

As both a parent and minister, I know how powerful books can be, writes education secretary Bridget Phillipson. With the launch of a National Year of Reading in 2026, we can make reading not just a school skill, but a family ritual that can shape a child's future

Politics

29 h. ago To those who question what Labour stands for – look at Best Start. It will change Britain’s future | Polly Toynbee

Sure Start was New Labour’s finest achievement, and the Tories destroyed it. Now it’s back with a mission to put children at the heart of everythingThey hunt high and low for Labour’s missing message, vision, purpose or identity. Well, here it is, where it always was, in the future of children. It’s what Labour does best, what it is for: building a society where children come first and everything else falls into place. The foundations have now been laid by Bridget Phillipson by finally bringing back Sure Start to England – the most successful achievement of the last Labour government – now rebranded as Best Start family hubs.It’s a pity about the new name, but young parents recognise “hubs”, whereas Sure Start is largely gone and forgotten. Its uprooting began the day Michael Gove arrived as education secretary in 2010. He entered the “Department for Children, Schools and Families” – a name chosen to reflect the awareness that children don’t learn without wraparound care for their w...

Politics

32 h. ago Wrexham hit with major Jamie Vardy blow as rival boss hints at stunning deal

Wrexham have been linked with a move for Jamie Vardy, but Rangers have now emerged as a potential destination and manager Russell Martin has addressed the rumours

Economics

33 h. ago Major UK airport travel chaos planned as hundreds threaten to walk out

Brits jetting off during the busy summer holidays have been issued a stark warning as 450 staff members across three separate companies are threatening to strike at a major UK airport

Events

38 h. ago Before the government overhauls special educational needs, lessons must be learnt

Editorial: The welfare reform bill fiasco has made rethinking education, health and care plans infinitely more difficult. Any reforms must clearly be for the benefit of the recipients – not driven by the Treasury’s need to make savings

Politics

40 h. ago Phillipson: Family hubs will give parents freedom to focus on loving children

It comes alongside plans to offer £4,500 to specialist teachers, in a bid to attract staff to nurseries.

Society

42 h. ago Voices: Why, as a special needs parent, any changes to my child’s support frighten me

It took years of wrestling with bureaucracy before my local authority agreed to provide the services that my child is legally entitled to – so I won’t be handing back our hard-won SEND provision without a fight, says James Moore

Society

49 h. ago Ministers fail to rule out cutting Send school plans after campaigners’ concerns

Stephen Morgan insisted parents should have ‘absolutely’ no fear that support for children with special needs or disabilities will be scaled back.

Politics

50 h. ago Grange Hill's Zammo star shares health update as he opens up on cancer scare

Grange Hill star Lee MacDonald has issued a stark warning after his latest skin cancer scare.

Science

50 h. ago Starmer braced for fresh rebellion over reforms to special needs support

It comes after Bridget Phillipson refused to rule out scrapping key documents that parents rely on to guarantee specialist help for their children

Politics

53 h. ago Early years teachers to get £4,500 bonus to work in nurseries in poorer areas

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson unveiled plans to fund tax-free payments for specialist teachers to end patchy provision and ensure every child has the chance to succeed

Economics

59 h. ago Nursery teachers in disadvantaged communities to be offered £4,500 incentive

The Best Start In Life Strategy was being announced on Monday.

Economics

60 h. ago Campaigners urge Government to keep care plans for children with Send

In total, there were 638,745 EHCPs in place in January 2025, up 10.8% on the same point last year.

Politics

2 d. ago Ministers ‘pushed ahead too fast’ on welfare reform, says Phillipson

The Government warned there would be financial consequences to the decision not to reform personal independence payment as planned.

Politics

3 d. ago Four EU holiday hotspots and how they are becoming unbearably hot for Brits

Brits heading to a cluster of popular European destinations have been issued a stark health warning, as a powerful 'heat dome' sweeps the continent - resulting in sizzling temperatures exceeding 40C

Politics

3 d. ago Family hubs to be rolled out across every council in England

The Education Secretary described the Best Start scheme as a lifeline.

Politics

4 d. ago Stark warning issued to anyone using weight loss injections when travelling abroad

Anyone using weight loss injections, either through the NHS or privately, has been issued a major warning when it comes to travelling abroad - failing to comply could lead to expensive medical bills

Events