The UK government will issue a full state apology to those affected by historical forced adoptions in England. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson confirmed the apology, calling it a "shameful period" in UK history, with the Prime Minister expected to make further statements.
Parents in England are facing thousands of pounds in extra fees for 'free' childcare, covering essentials like food and nappies due to government underfunding. The education secretary has asked the competition watchdog to investigate these hidden charges.
UK birthrates are at a record low, with many young people delaying or forgoing children due to the high cost of raising a family. The government is investing heavily in childcare but is now investigating private equity's role in the sector due to concerns over hidden fees and profit-driven practices.
UK Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson will ask the Competition and Markets Authority to investigate hidden costs parents face for childcare, including non-refundable deposits and charges for meals and nappies, potentially undermining the government's free childcare offer.
The UK government is asking the Competition and Markets Authority to investigate hidden costs parents face for childcare, such as deposits and fees for meals and nappies, which may undermine the 'free' childcare offer.
UK Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has ordered a competition review into hidden childcare charges, including non-refundable deposits and compulsory add-ons, amid concerns parents are facing extra costs despite the government's expansion of funded childcare hours.
PM is determined to fight on in No 10 but various contenders to replace him have been organising for some timeKeir Starmer has long been dogged by leadership rivals – despite only having won a huge majority two years ago. He insists there is no vacancy, and that he will fight on in No 10, seeking a second five-year term and a decade in the job. However, the various contenders to replace him have been organising for some time.Many others may consider throwing their hats into the ring if the contest opened up – from the home secretary, Shabana Mahmood, and the education secretary, Bridget Phillipson, to the foreign secretary, Yvette Cooper, and the armed forces minister, Al Carns. But here are Starmer’s main threats: Continue reading...
Catherine West issues ultimatum for PM as ex-minister Josh Simons joins calls for prime minister to quitAt the start of her programme Laura Kuenssberg addressed Catherine West and Bridget Phillipson who were sitting waiting for the main interviews.Kuenssberg told West she wanted a cabinet minister to challenge Keir Starmer. She said she was sitting next to one of them. What was her message to her?Well, there’s nothing stopping Bridget from standing. Why are all the men better than the women? We do need some senior women to step forward and to challenge for what is going to be a really difficult two and a half years between now and the general election, and also to take us into that second term.I love you dearly, Catherine, but I just disagree on this one. Continue reading...
Catherine West issues ultimatum for PM as ex-minister Josh Simons joins calls for prime minister to quitAt the start of her programme Laura Kuenssberg addressed Catherine West and Bridget Phillipson who were sitting waiting for the main interviews.Kuenssberg told West she wanted a cabinet minister to challenge Keir Starmer. She said she was sitting next to one of them. What was her message to her?Well, there’s nothing stopping Bridget from standing. Why are all the men better than the women? We do need some senior women to step forward and to challenge for what is going to be a really difficult two and a half years between now and the general election, and also to take us into that second term.I love you dearly, Catherine, but I just disagree on this one. Continue reading...
Catherine West threatens to challenge Keir Starmer herself, as minister Bridget Phillipson backs the embattled PM.
Catherine West says she is ready to challenge Keir Starmer but minister Bridget Phillipson backs the PM and warns against infighting.
Catherine West issues ultimatum for the PM as ex-minister Josh Simons joins calls for prime minister to quitAt the start of her programme Laura Kuenssberg addressed Catherine West and Bridget Phillipson who were sitting waiting for the main interviews.Kuenssberg told West she wanted a cabinet minister to challenge Keir Starmer. She said she was sitting next to one of them. What was her message to her?Well, there’s nothing stopping Bridget from standing. Why are all the men better than the women? We do need some senior women to step forward and to challenge for what is going to be a really difficult two and a half years between now and the general election, and also to take us into that second term.I love you dearly, Catherine, but I just disagree on this one. Continue reading...
Education secretary says voters feel let down but do not want Labour to ‘spend more time talking amongst ourselves’UK politics live – latest updatesLabour MPs would be wrong to remove Keir Starmer, even though voters have given the party a “real kicking” at the ballot box and people feel “bitterly let down”, the education secretary, Bridget Phillipson, has said.Phillipson said Labour had been “too gloomy” and had made a mistake in trying to withdraw the winter fuel allowance, after the party lost control of about 40 councils and 1,500 seats at the local elections on Thursday. Continue reading...
Catherine West says party must ‘move quickly’ and that unless a cabinet minister comes forward to challenge the PM by Monday, she willAt the start of her programme Laura Kuenssberg addressed Catherine West and Bridget Phillipson who were sitting waiting for the main interviews.Kuenssberg told West she wanted a cabinet minister to challenge Keir Starmer. She said she was sitting next to one of them. What was her message to her?Well, there’s nothing stopping Bridget from standing. Why are all the men better than the women? We do need some senior women to step forward and to challenge for what is going to be a really difficult two and a half years between now and the general election, and also to take us into that second term.I love you dearly, Catherine, but I just disagree on this one. Continue reading...
Former junior minister Catherine West says that unless a cabinet minister comes forward to challenge the PM by Monday, she willBridget Phillipson, the education secretary, is speaking on Sky’s Sunday with Trevor Phillips.Asked about Catherine West’s leadership challenge, she says:Catherine is a great colleague, and I’ve known her a long time. And I have real respect for Catherine.On this one, I do part company with her. I think she’s got this completely wrong.I don’t think … a leadership contest and all of the problems that that would bring is the answer. Continue reading...
The UK government will introduce age or functionality restrictions on social media for children under 16, following a consultation process. Education secretary Bridget Phillipson expressed openness about the specific form of restrictions while emphasizing the need to protect young people from harmful online content and addictive features. The announcement came after pressure from the House of Lords, led by former education minister John Nash, with peers having voted four times for an outright ban.
The UK government has announced that universities in England failing to protect free speech could face fines of up to £500,000 or 2% of their income under a new complaints system run by the Office for Students (OfS). The scheme, launching from the new academic year, will allow staff, external speakers and non-student members to raise concerns about providers free of charge. From April 2027, new registration conditions will enable the regulator to fine universities for breaches of their duties under the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act, which came into force in August 2023.
