‘If that isn’t a business interest, I don’t know what is’ – Reform in donor sting crisis Politics Two senior Reform UK figures have stepped down after an undercover investigation appeared to show them arranging a donor to pay for polling in a potential breach of electoral law. Reform’s head of policy James Orr and Dan Jukes, a top aide to Nigel Farage, stood down pending the result of an internal probe that [...]
Backbencher threatens rebellion as Starmer vows to stay put Politics A Labour backbencher has issued the Prime Minister with an ultimatum as Sir Keir Starmer battles to stay in Number 10 after taking a battering at the local elections. Catherine West, a former junior minister and MP for Hornsey and Friern Barnet, said she will trigger a leadership bid on Monday if cabinet ministers fail [...]
‘Politically toxic’ holiday tax could turn voters against Labour, hospitality leaders warn Hospitality The “politically toxic” holiday tax could turn hordes of voters against Labour if it is pushed through, hospitality leaders have warned the government. The proposed tax could threaten the fragile majorities of a host of Labour big beasts including health secretary Wes Streeting and foreign secretary Yvette Cooper, trade body UK Hospitality (UKH) has claimed. [...]
Tory councillors pledge to ban smartphones in classrooms ahead of local elections April 14, 2026 Conservative council candidates at next month’s local elections have vowed to enforce a ban on students using smartphones in a new policy that could test Labour’s grip over education across the country. The Tories have doubled down on their calls for a national ban on smartphones in classrooms by getting local council candidates on board [...]
New digital V levels aim to bridge Britain’s AI skills gap March 11, 2026 The government’s new digital V-level is meant to solve two problems at once: the confusion of England’s post-16 qualifications system, and the growing mismatch between what young people learn and what employers now need. From 2027, ‘digital’ will be one of the first three V-level subjects offered alongside education and early years, alongside finance and [...]
Former Home Secretary backs Phillipson for Labour deputy leader October 5, 2025 Former home secretary, Alan Johnson, has endorsed education secretary, Bridget Phillipson, to become Labour’s next deputy leader, after warning that Powell could be divisive. Johnson suggested Phillipson’s rival, Lucy Powell, may not have entered the race had she not been sacked from the cabinet in last month’s major reshuffle, before warning she could “destabilise the [...]
Labour’s meddling with school uniforms will hurt families it’s meant to help July 3, 2025 Labour’s cap on branded school uniform will push up prices and push specialist, family-run schoolwear retailers out of business, says Matthew Easter Before children ever step into a classroom, many will step into a schoolwear shop. These family-run businesses don’t just sell clothes – they stitch together pride, belonging and identity. But now, a new [...]
Labour to back use of ChatGPT and AI in schools May 19, 2025 The UK will back international guidelines on using generative AI such as ChatGPT in schools, the Education Secretary is set to announce. In a speech to the Education World Forum in London on Monday, Bridget Phillipson will aim to put Britain at the forefront of a “revolution” in education technology. As well as funding efforts [...]
Disastrous school reform agenda is a solution in search of a problem January 9, 2025 A long time ago I got involved in a battle to help a school leave council control and become an academy. This was shortly after Michael Gove, as education secretary, continued the reforming efforts of his Labour predecessors to inject more choice and freedom into the state education sector. The local council, faced with losing [...]
Working mothers will pay for Labour’s tax rises November 13, 2024 Employers’ national insurance hikes will increase the cost of childcare and put nurseries out of business, making life for working mothers even harder than it already is, says Alys Denby Governments are notoriously bad at picking winners, but Britain is about to find out what happens when leaders are more interested in picking losers. From [...]