All posts tagged: Bridget Phillipson

Keir Starmer braces for his week from hell – POLITICO

Keir Starmer braces for his week from hell – POLITICO

Published by Sam Flores

If Labour does as badly as predicted — and the SNP wins power again, despite a long-running finances investigation and two changes of first minister since 2023 — there will be huge questions for Starmer about squandering the 2024 success. Sarwar has already called for Starmer to resign. He made the plea in February, hoping a change of PM in Westminster would limit the damage north of the border. Watch to see if anyone else comes out swinging as results filter in through Friday and Saturday. 3) Feeling the Farage factor  Farage has embarked on an extensive tour of England, where city, council and district councils are up for grabs. While much of his success last year came from snatching Tory councils, this time the Reform UK leader wants to park his teal tanks in Labour’s backyard — and show MPs he’s coming for their seats by 2029. The party is aiming for a strong performance across the Midlands and northern England in areas including Barnsley, Gateshead and Sunderland. The latter city includes Education Secretary Bridget …

22,000 people sent letters telling them to repay loans immediately | UK | News

22,000 people sent letters telling them to repay loans immediately | UK | News

Published by Sam Flores

22,000 students have been told their courses were funded in error (Image: Getty) Tens of thousands of university students have been hit with shock demands to repay maintenance loans and childcare grants they were never supposed to receive. In letters sent by the Student Loans Company (SLC) and universities, more than 22,000 learners on weekend courses have been told their funding was awarded in error and must now be returned immediately. The students, many balancing studies with full-time jobs and family responsibilities, face sudden bills running into thousands of pounds each after officials ruled their programmes did not qualify for living cost support. One letter from the SLC, obtained by the BBC, blamed universities for providing wrong information. It stated: “Unfortunately, they didn’t tell us you only attended on the weekend.” It warned that any overpayment has to be repaid in full. Read more: 5,000 students to be offered key vaccine after rampant spread of deadly virus Read more: Brexit reset nightmare for Starmer as EU demands UK come to the table Education Secretary Bridget …

Starmer ally paves way for fresh row with Labour rebels over benefits cuts

Starmer ally paves way for fresh row with Labour rebels over benefits cuts

Published by Sam Flores

One of Sir Keir Starmer’s top allies has paved the way for another fight with MPs over benefits cuts, calling for “further reform” to Britain’s welfare bill. In a move that risks a repeat of last year’s chaotic U-turn, which sparked questions over the prime minister’s authority, education secretary Bridget Phillipson said there “needs to be further reform to the social security system for people to get back into work”. Last year, Sir Keir attempted to impose welfare reforms that would have saved around £5bn per year, but he was forced to U-turn on the majority of the cuts at the last minute following a furious revolt by Labour backbenchers. The government was facing a humiliating defeat, with more than 120 Labour MPs having signed a rebel amendment seeking to kill the welfare bill. There is now a growing expectation that the government will attempt fresh reforms in the autumn to slash the ballooning welfare bill. Speaking to The Independent after the government lifted the two-child benefit cap this week, Ms Phillipson insisted that the …

New Labour trans rules allow primary school children to change gender | Politics | News

New Labour trans rules allow primary school children to change gender | Politics | News

Published by Sam Flores

New government guidance on how schools should deal with cases of transgender pupils has said they can “socially transition” to their preferred gender. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson published the new statutory advice this afternoon, which had been delayed for months while Labour grapples with internal arguments over the thorny topic. Ms Phillipson’s fresh guidance says pupils will be allowed to “socially transition”, but any requests should be treated “with caution”. The Department for Education does make sweeping changes in the right direction, however, with a fresh ban on trans pupils using the bathroom or changing room of their preferred sex. The rules now say that schools must maintain single-sex spaces, and there should be no mixed gender bathrooms for children aged over eight. School trips must also ensure that overnight accommodation is split by the sex of children at birth, not that of the preferred identity. Schools will also have to be recorded by schools and college. The “vast majority” of parents will also have the right to be involved in cases where a child …

How to topple the British prime minister in 5 easy steps – POLITICO

How to topple the British prime minister in 5 easy steps – POLITICO

Published by Sam Flores

They must win the support of 5 percent of Labour’s constituency parties, or at least three of the party’s formal “affiliate” bodies including two trade unions. This is not always a formality, as Emily Thornberry — now chair of the Commons’ foreign affairs committee — discovered when she failed to reach the local party threshold when running against Starmer in 2020. Two of the four officials noted above suggested that Wes Streeting — despite being widely seen as a frontrunner — could struggle during this stage, as many unions and constituency parties regard his politics as not left-wing enough. A third official said this was inaccurate, given there has been an exodus of left-wing members from the party. Step 5: Go to the party Whoever pulls through the initial stages — probably three candidates at the most — will go through to a final vote of Labour’s members. The result is difficult to predict, as many of the most left-wing members who joined under Jeremy Corbyn in the late 2010s have exited the party. In …