Ministers urged to keep care plans for children with special needs
An EHCP is a legally binding document which ensures a child or young person with special or educational needs gets the right support from a local authority.Full details of the proposed changes are due in October, but ministers have not ruled out scrapping the education plans, insisting no decisions have been taken.In a letter to the Guardian newspaper, campaigners have said that without the documents in mainstream schools, "many thousands of children risk being denied vital provision, or losing access to education altogether"."Whatever the Send system's problems, the answer is not to remove the rights of children and young people. Families cannot afford to lose these precious legal protections," they added.Signatories to the letter include the heads of charities, professors, Send parents including actor Sally Phillips, and campaigners including broadcaster Chris Packham.Speaking to the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme, Ms Phillipson saidL"What I can say very clearly is that we will strengthen and put in place better support for children."I've been spending a lot of time listening to parents, to disability rights groups, to campaigners and to others and to colleagues across Parliament as well, because it's important to get this right," she added, but said it is "tough".Mr O'Brien, the shadow minister, said the government had "no credibility left"."This is a government defined by broken promises and u-turns. They said they would employ more teachers and they have fewer. They said they would not raise tax on working people but did," Mr O'Brien said.Data from the Department for Education released in June showed that the number of EHCPs has increased.In total, there were 638,745 EHCPs in place in January 2025, up 10.8% on the same point last year.The number of new plans which started during 2024 also grew by 15.8% on the previous year, to 97,747.Requests for children to be assessed for EHCPs rose by 11.8% to 154,489 in 2023.A Department for Education spokesperson said: "We have been clear that there are no plans to abolish Send tribunals, or to remove funding or support from children, families and schools."The spokesperson added that it would be "totally inaccurate to suggest that children, families and schools might experience any loss of funding or support".
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South Wales Argus
42 minutes ago
- South Wales Argus
Near-Dickensian poverty levels for some children in England, warns commissioner
Black mould in a bedroom and rats in a kitchen were among some of the examples given by young people for a new report said to reveal the 'real hardship' facing some families. While some feel a sense of shame over their situation, Dame Rachel de Souza said it is 'society at large and decision-makers that should be ashamed of the fact that children don't have enough money'. The latest official estimates, for the year to March 2024, suggest there were a record 4.45 million children living in poverty in the UK. The Government is expected to publish a child poverty strategy in autumn, and a multitude of campaign groups have said it must contain a commitment to do away with the two-child benefit limit. The limit, which came into effect under the Conservatives in April 2017, restricts child tax credit and universal credit (UC) to the first two children in most households. Organisations working in the sector argue that 109 children across the UK are pulled into poverty by the policy every day and that an estimated 350,000 children would be lifted out of poverty immediately if it was scrapped. But comments by Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson at the weekend have raised concerns the policy might not be done away with, amid financial pressures following the U-turn on welfare reforms. Ms Phillipson said spending decisions have been made 'harder' after the watering down of the welfare reforms. Pressed on whether the chances of the benefit cap going are now slimmer, Ms Phillipson told BBC's Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg: 'The decisions that have been taken in the last week do make decisions, future decisions harder. 'But all of that said, we will look at this collectively in terms of all of the ways that we can lift children out of poverty.' Estimates for the cost of scrapping the policy vary, from around £2.6 billion to £3.5 billion by the end of this Parliament (2029/30). Dame Rachel – whose office was commissioned to carry out its report to feed into the Government's work in the area – said while there is 'no quick fix to ending child poverty', she feels it is 'very clear that any child poverty strategy must be built on the foundation of scrapping the two-child limit'. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said future spending decisions had been made 'harder', when asked about the two-child benefit cap being scrapped (Jeff Overs/BBC/PA) She added that a new approach is needed which 'stops sidelining children's voices', saying that 'only by listening to children, and acting in response, will we get close to solving those problems'. The commissioner said in recent years she has seen a change in children's comments, noting that issues traditionally seen as 'adult' concerns 'are now keenly felt by children, who see their parents' worries and the struggles they face: the hours they work, the homes they live in and the ability to put food on the table'. She added: 'Children shared harrowing accounts of hardship, with some in almost-Dickensian levels of poverty. 'They don't talk about 'poverty' as an abstract concept but about not having the things that most people would consider basic: a safe home that isn't mouldy or full or rats, with a bed big enough to stretch out in, 'luxury' food like bacon, a place to do homework, heating, privacy in the bathroom and being able to wash, having their friends over, and not having to travel hours to school.' While commending 'some positive steps by the Government to get more money into families' pockets', she urged 'bold, practical measures that break the link between a child's background and their opportunities'. The commissioner's report, based on the experiences of 128 children across the country between January and March this year, noted a range of concerns including lack of access to quality, healthy food and living in cramped and poor conditions. As well as calling for the two-child benefit limit to be scrapped, Dame Rachel urged a commitment to a so-called 'triple-lock' for uprating all child-related benefits, reforms to ensure families are not being housed in temporary bed and breakfast accommodation for longer than the legal six-week limit, free bus travel for all school-aged children in England and better safety measures in areas with children in low-income families including increased street lighting, and more neighbourhood watch-style initiatives. A Government spokesperson said: 'We are determined to bring down child poverty. We've just announced a new £1 billion package to reform crisis support, including funding to ensure the poorest children do not go hungry outside of term time. 'This comes alongside the expansion to free breakfast clubs, investing £39 billion in social and affordable housing, increasing the national minimum wage and supporting 700,000 of the poorest families by introducing a Fair Repayment Rate on Universal Credit deductions. 'As part of our plan for change, the Child Poverty Taskforce will publish an ambitious strategy later this year to ensure we deliver fully-funded measures that tackle the structural and root causes of child poverty across the country.'
Rhyl Journal
42 minutes ago
- Rhyl Journal
King to highlight vital bond with France over threats that ‘know no borders'
Charles and the Queen are set to welcome the French leader and his wife Brigitte to Windsor Castle on Tuesday as Mr Macron begins his three-day state visit to the UK. At a glittering banquet in the historic Berkshire landmark in the evening, the monarch will deliver a speech, highlighting how 'these challenges know no borders: no fortress can protect us against them this time'. But he will tell Mr Macron that Britain and France can help lead the way in confronting threats relating to defence, technology and climate change, saying: 'Our two nations share not only values, but also the tireless determination to act on them in the world.' Charles and Camilla are hosting Mr Macron and the first lady at the historic royal residence. They will be feted with a carriage ride through the town, a ceremonial welcome and the opulent state dinner. The King, in his toast, will reflect on 1,000 years of 'shared history and culture between our two peoples', including many of the royal family's personal connections to France. 'For centuries our citizens have admired each other, amused each other, and imitated each other', he will say, and reveal how he remains 'in awe of France's extraordinary attributes and achievements'. Charles will also hail the Anglo-French partnership as vital amid the many challenges of today, saying: 'Our two countries face a multitude of complex threats, emanating from multiple directions. 'As friends and as allies, we face them together.' It marks the first state visit to the UK by an EU head of state since Brexit, and will see Mr Macron address parliamentarians in the Palace of Westminster's Royal Gallery and, on Thursday, join a UK-France Summit at Downing Street. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has signalled a 'reset' in relations between the UK and Europe as he looks to heal the wounds caused by the Brexit years. Defence, growth, security, migration and French tactics on tackling small boats will be discussed, with the two leaders expected to dial in to speak to other allied nations who are looking to support any future peace deal in Ukraine. Downing Street said on Monday that the UK's relationship with France was 'key' to dealing with boat crossings, following reports French police officers had used knives to puncture a boat off the coast. The Prince and Princess of Wales will also play a role by meeting the president and the French first lady at RAF Northolt on Tuesday morning on behalf of the King and travelling with them to Windsor. Charles and Camilla will formerly greet their guests on a Royal Dais constructed on Datchet Road in Windsor town centre, with the castle in the backdrop as gun salutes sound in nearby Home Park. The King, the Queen, the Waleses and Mr and Mrs Macron will then take a carriage procession through Windsor and along part of the Long Walk which leads to the castle, just as former French president Nicolas Sarkozy did in 2008. Mr Macron's state visit to the UK, from July 8-10, is the first to be hosted at Windsor Castle, rather than Buckingham Palace, in a more than a decade since that of the Irish president Michael D Higgins in 2014. State visits, which capitalise on the royals' soft power to strengthen diplomatic ties overseas, will be hosted at Windsor for the next few years while reservicing work continues at the London Palace and starts to affect the state rooms. The last state visit to the UK from France was in March 2008 when the now-disgraced Mr Sarkozy, since convicted of corruption and influence peddling, and his wife Carla Bruni, were the guests of Elizabeth II at Windsor. The arrangements are likely to form the template for US President Donald Trump's high-profile state visit in September, but much will depend on security considerations for the US leader, who survived an assassination attempt last year. A ceremonial welcome will be staged in the castle's quadrangle with Camilla, William, Kate and Mrs Macron watching as the King and Mr Macron inspect the Guard of Honour. Lunch will be hosted in the State Dining Room, after which the president and his wife, the King and Queen and members of the royal family will view a special exhibition of items relating to France from the Royal Collection in the Green Drawing and Mrs Macron will also travel to London on Tuesday afternoon to see the Grave of the Unknown Warrior at Westminster Abbey and visit the Palace of Westminster where the French leader will address parliamentarians before meeting opposition leaders at Lancaster House. The King and president will both deliver speeches at the banquet in the medieval St George's Hall, where some 160 guests will be seated at the elaborately decorated 50 metre table, which will run the full length of the vast room. Kensington Palace has yet to confirm whether Kate will attend the banquet. The princess opened up about her 'rollercoaster' cancer recovery, its life-changing impact and putting on a 'brave face' last week. The King and Queen paid a state visit to France in September 2023 and enjoy a warm rapport with Mr and Mrs Macron, who will stay in the castle during their trip. Mrs Macron, 72, sparked a storm in May when she was seen pushing her husband's face away with both hands before they disembarked a plane in Vietnam. The 47-year-old president dismissed the gesture – caught on camera – as horseplay, but it caused a stir in France, with daily Le Parisien newspaper asking: 'Slap or 'squabble'?' The couple, married since 2007, met at the high school where Mr Macron was a student and Brigitte was a married teacher. The visit comes a year after the UK and France celebrated 120 years since the signing of the Entente Cordiale. The Anglo-French agreements in 1904 ushered in improved relations between the two countries which had fought against each other during the Napoleonic Wars.
BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
Newspaper headlines: 'PM to press Macron' and 'mushroom murders' trial
'PM to press Macron' and 'mushroom murders' trial 6 minutes ago Share Save Share Save BBC Emmanuel Macron's state visit to the UK is splashed across several of the front pages, with the French president due to arrive on Tuesday. The Times reports that Sir Keir Starmer will urge Macron to agree a "one in, one out" migrant returns deal, despite warnings that announcing it before it is ready will lead to a surge in crossings. Also featured is a poignant picture of the girls who died or are missing after floods in Texas swept through their summer camp. Macron's visit also leads the Daily Telegraph, with the paper reporting what King Charles III will tell Macron when the French president visits. There are "no borders" between us, the King will say, in a plea for co-operation as Sir Keir fights to save a migrant returns deal. The main image shows the moment a police officer is alleged to have been assaulted as CCTV footage of the incident at Manchester Airport was played to jurors. Mohammed Fahir Amaaz, 20, and his brother, Muhammad Amaad, 26, are said to have struck out after police were called to an incident at the Starbucks cafe in Terminal 2 arrivals on 23 July last year. Both men, from Rochdale, Greater Manchester, deny the allegations. "Hand back out £771 million, Mr Macron ... s'il vous plait," says the Daily Mail ahead of the French president's visit. The paper says Macron will "face questions over his country's failure to make a dent in illegal Channel crossings - despite being handed more than three quarters of a billion pounds of British taxpayers money". Also splashed across the front page is the face of Erin Patterson, the Australian woman who was found guilty of murdering three relatives and attempting to kill another by serving wild mushrooms at a lunch. The Sun leads with the latest development in the Jeffrey Epstein case. The paper reports that a leaked memo reveals the FBI is closing its investigation into Prince Andrew over his links to Epstein, meaning Andrew is free to travel abroad without fearing arrest. Epstein died in a New York prison cell in 2019 as he awaited trial on sex trafficking charges. Prince Andrew has always denied any misconduct. The closure of the inquiry into Prince Andrew also leads the Daily Mirror, with a "furious victim" of the late financier saying they have been "silenced all over again". The US Department of Justice and FBI have concluded that sex offender Epstein did not have a so-called client list that could implicate high-profile associates, and that he did take his own life - contradicting long-held conspiracy theories about the infamous case. The Guardian reports that bosses in the UK will be banned from using non-disclosure agreements to silence employees who have suffered harassment and discrimination in the workplace if changes to the government's overhaul of workers' rights are approved. An amendment to the Employment Rights Bill, which is expected to become law later this year, will void any confidentiality agreements seeking to prevent workers from speaking about allegations of harassment or discrimination. Labour's planning legislation has been branded "hypocrisy on stilts", the Daily Express reports, with ministers pushing to build 1.5 million new homes - despite previously opposing developments in their own constituencies. Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and housing minister Matthew Pennycook are leading the push for the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, which has sparked a widespread backlash for threatening protected habitats and wildlife. The pair are among half a dozen Labour MPs who have opposed similar developments in the past. Donald Trump's tariffs lead the Financial Times, with the US president extending his deadline for "reciprocal" levies. The US announced a new 25% tax on products entering the country from South Korea and Japan, which will come into force when the latest reprieve ends on 1 August. Trump began sharing a batch of letters to leaders of countries around the world outlining his tariff plans. The paper's main image centres on Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan and Sir Keir laying wreaths at the 7 July Memorial on the 20th anniversary of the London bombings. The i Paper reports that the Labour government's revised welfare bill, which came after a backbench rebellion in the Commons, will lift 50,000 children and 50,000 adults out of relative poverty. Before the government's climbdown last week, it was predicted that the bill would put 250,000 people into poverty. The guilty verdict of Erin Patterson in Australia leads the Metro's front page. It reports that the ex-husband of the "mushroom murderer" says she tried to poison him at least four times before the deadly dinner that killed his parents and aunt.
