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Education News

• More headaches for Labour: Send, strikes and small boats July 9, 2025
  Only a week after the government was forced to retreat on benefits reform, there’s now controversy over its plans for children with special educational needs and disabilities (Send). John Harris speaks to Kate Cox, a parent of two children with special needs, about why there’s such concern about the plans.Plus, with NHS doctors going on […]
  Presented by John Harris with Kiran Stacey, produced by Frankie Tobi, music by Axel Kacoutié; the executive producer is Zoe Hitch
• Macron tells UK parliament that Europe must end its dependency on the US and China – as it happened July 8, 2025
  This live blog is now closedFrench police slashing the boats of people smugglers is not “pleasant” but the right tactic, Heidi Alexander, the transport secretary, has said. Jessica Elgot and Peter Walker have the story.Boris Johnson, the former Tory PM, has issued this tribute to Norman Tebbit.Norman Tebbit was a hero of modern Conservatism. In […]
  Andrew Sparrow
• Blunkett urges ministers to use ‘incredible sensitivity’ in changing Send system in England July 7, 2025
  Former home secretary tells government to reassure parents there will be a ‘meaningful replacement’ for EHCPsMinisters must use “incredible sensitivity” when making changes to the special educational needs system, the former education secretary David Blunkett has said, as the government is urged not to drop education, health and care plans (EHCPs).Lord Blunkett, who went through […]
  Sally Weale and Peter Walker
• The Guardian view on special needs reform: children’s needs must be the priority as the system is redesigned | Editorial July 7, 2025
  Ministers are right that change is required. But more inclusive mainstream schools can coexist with rights to special provisionChildren with special educational needs and disabilities (Send) must be supported through the education system to fulfil their potential as fully as possible. This is the bottom line for the families of the 1.6 million children with […]
  Editorial
• UK politics: Send children’s legal rights to extra support will be protected, says education secretary – as it happened July 7, 2025
  Bridget Phillipson says there will be better outcomes for all children than at present but fails to guarantee EHCPs will continue in their current formThe Conservatives will try to change the government’s welfare Bill to tighten up access to personal independence payments (Pip) and universal credit, PA Media reports. PA says:Kemi Badenoch will pledge that […]
  Andrew Sparrow
• What are EHCPs and why is Labour bracing for a backlash over its overhaul plans? July 7, 2025
  Special educational needs or disabilities system in England is in crisis but many fear changes could make things worseAs the government braces for a backlash over its plans to overhaul special needs education in England, we look at why the system is in such desperate need of reform and what parents are so worried about. […]
  Sally Weale Education correspondent
• Is Send the next battleground for Labour? – Politics Weekly UK July 7, 2025
  Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey discuss why backbenchers and campaigners are already gearing up for another fight, this time over children’s special educational needs and disabilities (Send) support. And, could a new party on the left be a threat to Labour? Continue reading...
  Presented by Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey, produced by Frankie Tobi, music by Axel Kacoutié; the executive producer is Zoe Hitch.
• Labour must keep EHCPs in Send system, says education committee chair July 7, 2025
  Helen Hayes says commitment would help rebuild trust among parents in England worried about children’s futureUK politics live – latest updatesDowning Street should commit to education, health and care plans (EHCPs) to keep the trust of families who have children with special educational needs, the Labour MP who chairs the education select committee has said.A […]
  Peter Walker Senior political correspondent