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95 headlines found — Page 1 of 8

The Guardian Politics18 Jun 2026

VAT on private school fees not caused exodus to state sector, says Bridget Phillipson

Education secretary cites admissions data for England, saying Labour is ‘rebalancing the system to focus on 94% of kids in state schools’ Adding VAT to private school fees has failed to trigger an exodus of pupils into the state sector despite widespread speculation that it would, the education secretary, Bridget Phillipson, has said. The Labour government applied 20% VAT to private school fees from the start of 2025. They had previously been exempt from the tax. Newly published admissions data

EconomyEducation
The Guardian Politics18 Jun 2026

Leading figures from Eton college to attend rightwing London summit

Exclusive: Event co-founded by Jordan Peterson will bring together global populist-right figures, US state officials and Eton teachers The Reform UK MPs Sarah Pochin and Andrew Rosindell will be there. As will a plethora of Reform advisers, backroom staff and figures such as Ben Delo, a British crypto billionaire who has given £4m to Nigel Farage’s party. Yet as populist-right politicians from across the globe and their multimillionaire backers prepare for this year’s Alliance for Responsible Ci

PoliticsEducationReform
The Guardian Politics17 Jun 2026

Top teaching union backs Burnham as Labour’s best chance of beating Reform

Exclusive: NASUWT leader Matt Wrack also calls for more robust change from the government on education policy UK politics live – latest updates The leader of one of the country’s biggest teaching unions has backed Andy Burnham, saying he is Labour’s best chance for beating Reform in a general election. The general secretary of NASUWT, Matt Wrack, was speaking to the Guardian in the run-up to Thursday’s Makerfield byelection, in which the Greater Manchester mayor hopes to return to parliament a

PoliticsEducation
The Guardian Politics17 Jun 2026

Forced adoption survivors to get full apology from UK government, says Phillipson

Education secretary describes historical practice in England as a ‘shameful period’ in country’s history Downing Street is to make a full apology on behalf of the state to those affected by historic forced adoption in England, the education secretary has confirmed. Bridget Phillipson, giving evidence to MPs on the education select committee on Wednesday, described it as a “shameful period” in the country’s history. Continue reading...

PoliticsEducationReform
The Guardian Politics15 Jun 2026

Labour MPs urge Starmer to set targets to boost number of male teachers in England

Men and Boys group of MPs addresses ‘crisis of masculinity’ and joins campaign for longer paternity leave Government ministers have been urged to set targets to boost the number of male teachers in England, as backbench MPs seek to capitalise on turbulence in the Labour party to influence government policy. With the government in disarray after the shock resignation of the defence secretary this week, MPs are seizing the moment to embark on a battle of ideas, including tackling toxic masculinity

PoliticsDefenceEducation
The Guardian Politics14 Jun 2026

Ministers could give billions raised by business rates to England’s regions

Exclusive: devolving tax is part of plans to give local areas more power in areas including justice, health and education Ministers are considering handing over billions of pounds raised by business rates to regional mayors as part of one of the biggest shake-ups of the English tax system in recent years. Steve Reed, the local government secretary, said the government was working on plans to devolve the tax, which has been the subject of recent protests by pubs and other hospitality businesses.

EconomyEducationReformHealthcare
The Guardian Politics13 Jun 2026

UK government announces £132.5m after-school clubs package

Funding for extracurricular activities comes as ministers prepare to introduce social media restrictions for under-16s The government has announced a £132.5m funding package for after-school clubs as ministers prepare to introduce expected restrictions on social media use for under-16s. The programme is designed to expand access to enrichment activities in schools, with funding for clubs ranging from music groups and debating societies to engineering and sports, in what ministers describe as an

Education
The Guardian Politics11 Jun 2026

More than one in five pupils in England have special educational needs, figures show

Data shows sharp rise in number of children getting extra support and highlights pressure on schools, families and councils More than one in five pupils in England now have special educational needs, as the latest official figures show a sharp increase in the numbers of children receiving extra support in school. The annual data from the Department for Education (DfE) confirms predictions of an increase in families seeking education, health and care plans (EHCPs) – the individual agreements deta

Education
The Guardian Politics11 Jun 2026

Ministers want 60% of pupils in England ‘actively’ travelling to school by 2035

Exclusive: Transport secretary, Heidi Alexander, says cycling and walking plan focuses on ‘everyday travel needs’ UK politics live – latest updates Ministers are to launch a major push to get more children walking and cycling to school as part of a wider boost for “active travel” by the transport secretary Heidi Alexander. In the first significant change to active travel policy since the Boris Johnson era, thousands of new safe routes and crossings will be built around schools in England, with

PoliticsEducation
The Guardian Politics11 Jun 2026

Reform and Restore are both hard right and poisonous – but their differences could be their undoing | Andy Beckett

It is not enough to revile them both. Understanding the personal and ideological divergence is essential to taking back the ground they now occupy For all their claims to be mould-breaking politicians, the feuding Nigel Farage and Rupert Lowe are in many ways predictable and traditional rightwingers. Two wealthy white men in their 60s from southern England, with private educations and previous careers in the City, they were once members of the Conservative party – before, like many in their demo

EducationReformRupert Lowe
The Guardian Politics10 Jun 2026

UK minister defends changes to student loans as pressure grows for reforms

Treasury minister Lucy Rigby says the government has the right to alter terms of existing agreements Ministers have rejected accusations that recent changes to student loans were unfair, arguing they are so heavily subsidised that the government has the right to alter their terms. Pressure has been intensifying on the UK government to reform the student loans system but the chief secretary to the Treasury, Lucy Rigby, told MPs on Wednesday that less than half of young people go to university, an

PoliticsEconomyEducation
The Guardian Politics9 Jun 2026

A-level student elected to Jersey parliament congratulated by Trump

Gabriel Raimondo, who put his studies on hold to run in Channel Islands, is one of world’s youngest politicians Most politicians who win an election in Jersey are probably satisfied with a pat on the back from their supporters and a mention in the local newspapers. But after becoming one of the youngest politicians in the world, Gabriel Raimondo received a message of congratulations from Donald Trump. Continue reading...

PoliticsEducation