Latest news with #BridgetPhilipson
Daily Mirror
05-07-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
The Government is about to revive one of New Labour's biggest success stories
The cash boost for early years support comes as ministers prepare to bring back a revamped version of Sure Start - the family hubs introduced under Tony Blair's Labour government Parents will get help to give their children the best start in life with £400 million of extra funding for early years and reception classes, the Sunday Mirror can reveal. The cash boost comes as ministers prepare to bring back a revamped version of Sure Start - the family hubs introduced under Tony Blair's Labour government. Up to 1,000 Best Start Family Hubs will be rolled out across every area of the country, to provide help with parenting skills, early development and childcare. The hubs and early years support will be linked up through the government's "Best Start in Life" strategy - which aims to make sure tens of thousands of children are ready for school at age 5. Sure Start centres helped millions of young children across England. At its peak in 2010, there were about 3,600 centres operating. Survey data from 2011-12 estimates more than 2.5million children under four years old were registered at Surestart Centres - about 90% of that age group. And the Institute for Fiscal Studies found the better health, education and social care outcomes for families enrolled in the programme generated £2 of financial benefit for every £1 in costs. Today, some 1 in 3 children start formal school at age five without the basic skills they need to learn - with many still in nappies or not able to hold a pencil. From next September English and Maths Hubs will be expanded to reach more than 100,000 reception-age children. And reception teachers will get specific training to help teach young children maths basics. A Labour source said the new raft of hubs would 'build on the legacy of Sure Start' - taking some of the things the old scheme did well, but not uniformly - and spreading them out to all areas. Hubs will be able to tailor their support to the needs and nuances of local communities. For example, Sure Start centres in Sunderland would provide specific sessions for fathers to bond with their children, because the area had a lot of dads who did shift work. Before becoming an MP, Education Secretary Bridget Philipson ran a domestic violence refuge in Sunderland - and was impressed by how well Sure Start linked up with other support services in the region. 'I know from experience that when children and families get the right help early on, it can change the course of a child's life,' she told the Sunday Mirror. 'But for too long, too many children have started school already behind – struggling with speech, language and the basics before they've even had a chance to get going. 'Our Plan for Change is putting that right by putting firepower behind proven programmes that work, alongside council targets to make early development a priority in every community — because being ready to learn by the age of 5 shouldn't depend on where a child grows up. 'From early language to stronger maths and literacy in reception, this package will help give every child the foundations they need for the rest of their life." TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak said: 'Sure Start transformed lives - helping children and parents across the country. 'One of the Tories worst acts in government was the way they systematically closed Sure Start centres and stripped away local services. 'This new investment in family hubs is much-needed. 'Rebuilding what was destroyed under the Conservatives will take sustained funding to meet the true cost of high-quality early years care and supporting the workforce .' Matt Buttery, CEO of Triple P UK, said: "This investment in Best Start Family Hubs is a hugely welcome and positive step forward for families across the country. By building on the proven legacy of Sure Start and expanding access to trusted, evidence-based parenting and early years support, these Hubs will help parents feel more confident and equipped to give their children the very best start in life. "However, if the government wants to end the postcode lottery, it must truly transform the digital offer for parents, making support available whenever and wherever parents need it most. "Triple P research shows that while most parents see parenting as the most important job they will ever do, 75% feel a stigma attached to asking for help. A national digital rollout of evidence-based parenting support could be a game-changer -- breaking down barriers, tackling stigma, and providing parents with the proven strategies and confidence they need to navigate modern parenting challenges, all from the comfort and ease of their own homes." Dan Paskins, executive director of Policy, Advocacy and Campaigns at Save the Children UK, said: "Focusing on family services for the under-fives will be vital in securing better outcomes for children, and we welcome the Best Start In Life announcement. "We know from our work in local communities that bringing together parenting, healthcare and education support services in one place is an approach which works, so we are pleased to see the UK Government making it easier for families to get the help they need. "With ministers now demonstrating an increasingly ambitious plan for children in the UK, we hope this drive for change continues when the child poverty strategy is released in Autumn. This must include scrapping the two child limit to Universal Credit, which is the only meaningful way to reduce the UK's record child poverty rate." Cllr Arooj Shah, Chair of the Local Government Association's Children and Young People Board, said: 'Councils want to ensure every child gets the best start in life, and we are pleased government has acted on our call to expand family hubs to all local authorities. 'Family hubs are an important opportunity for councils and partners to support families and to help them gain access to a range of vital services in their local area. 'We want to ensure the expansion sees fully integrated local support for communities. To do this, we need long term, sustainable funding, and local flexibility to ensure services meet local need.'
Daily Mirror
21-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
Poll backs plan to make parents register home-schooled kids with local council
Education Secretary Bridget Philipson said the move would continue to offer freedom to families who want to home educate while keeping kids safe Three-quarters of parents back new plans requiring families to notify local councils when choosing to home-school children. Education Secretary Bridget Philipson said the move would continue to offer freedom to families who want to home educate while keeping kids safe. The measure, to come in the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill, would introduce a compulsory register for children not in school for every local council in England. And parents of children who are subject to protection enquiries, or who attend a special school, will need local authority consent to teach them at home. "Sunday Mirror readers know every child deserves to be safe, protected and receiving a good education - no matter where they learn," Ms Philipson told this newspaper. "Yet, for too long, some of our most vulnerable children have fallen through the cracks." She added: "The days when children could simply disappear from the system are over. 'Parents back our measures that mean local councils will know where every child is being educated - ensuring children can be kept safe, while preserving the freedom that makes England a world-leader in educational choice." One in five children (21.5%) in England were persistently absent during the Autumn and Spring terms of 2023 - meaning they missed 10% of their lessons. This is more than double the number who regularly missed class during the same period in 2018/19 (10.5%), according to Department for Education data. Labour have previously warned the number of children persistently absent from school could rise to more than one in four in 2025/26 unless urgent action is taken.
Scottish Sun
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Scottish Sun
Free school meals for half a million for kids confirmed in spending review by Chancellor Rachel Reeves
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) HALF a million more kids will be eligible for free school meals, it's been confirmed by the Chancellor. As part of her spending review today, Rachel Reeves announced that every child in a Universal Credit household will now be eligible for state-sponsored lunches. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Free school meal has been confirmed for half a million kids Credit: Reuters Addressing the House of Commons she said: "Last week, this government announced that Free School Meals will be extended to over half a million more children. "That policy alone will lift 100,000 children out of poverty from Tower Hamlets to Sunderland to Swansea." Currently, Universal Credit households must earn under £7,400 per year to qualify. The move is expected to save parents on benefits £500 a year, according to the Department for Education. Kids in UC households currently not eligible will be able to start claiming lunches from the start of the 2026 school year. The entitlement will apply in all settings where free school meals are available, including school-based nurseries and further-education settings. Most parents will be able to apply before the start of the new school year by providing a national insurance number. Education Secretary Bridget Philipson previously told The Sun the move was a "game changer". 'This will make a big difference to children's attendance and behaviour at school because we know that if kids are hungry, they don't concentrate well." The expansion of the scheme comes ahead of ahead of the government's Child Poverty Taskforce publishing a ten-year strategy to drive down poverty. Disability benefit explained - what you can claim Last week the government rolled out 750 breakfast clubs across the UK. The move offers half an hour of free childcare and a healthy meal before the school day begins. Labour are also facing mounting pressure to scrap the two child benefit cap, Elsewhere, Rachel Reeves also vowed to pump £39billion into building more social and affordable housing across the UK. This came alongside a new rent policy for social housing starting in 2026. Reeves told MPs: "I am proud to announce the biggest cash injection into social and affordable housing in 50 years. "A new Affordable Homes Programme – in which I am investing £39bn over the next decade. What age do kids get free school meals in the UK? In England, all eligible children from reception to year two qualify for free school meals - so kids aged roughly between four and seven. In Scotland, all children between four and nine will qualify, while in Wales, pupils aged around four get free school meals. But, of course, all primary school-aged children should be eligible for the scheme by the end of 2024. That means children between four and 11. In any part of the UK, from year three onwards, your children could qualify for free school meals. But this is when the eligibility criteria kicks in, meaning you'll need to be receiving certain benefits and your income may be taken into consideration. Currently, your child may be able to get free school meals if you get any of the following: Income Support income-based Jobseeker's Allowance income-related Employment and Support Allowance support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 the guaranteed element of Pension Credit Child Tax Credit (provided you're not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190) Working Tax Credit run-on - paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit Universal Credit - if you apply on or after 1 April 2018 your household income must be less than £7,400 a year (after tax and not including any benefits you get) WHAT OTHER HELP IS AVAILABLE? You get child benefit if you're responsible for bringing up a child who is under 16 or under 20 if they are in approved education or training The payment is used to help parents cover the costs of childcare. It is paid at two weekly rates - £26.05 for your eldest or only child and £17.25 for any additional children. Payments are usually made every four weeks, on a Monday or Tuesday, but sometimes are made weekly. If you are claiming child benefit for a child under 12, you also receive National Insurance (NI) credits. NICs count towards your State Pension so claiming the benefit can be useful if you are missing any. Parents can also get help with free food vouchers through the government's Household Support Fund.
The Sun
11-06-2025
- General
- The Sun
Free school meals for half a million for kids confirmed in spending review by Chancellor Rachel Reeves
HALF a million more kids will be eligible for free school meals, it's been confirmed by the Chancellor. As part of her spending review today, Rachel Reeves announced that every child in a Universal Credit household will now be eligible for state-sponsored lunches. 1 Addressing the House of Commons she said: "Last week, this government announced that Free School Meals will be extended to over half a million more children. "That policy alone will lift 100,000 children out of poverty from Tower Hamlets to Sunderland to Swansea." Currently, Universal Credit households must earn under £7,400 per year to qualify. The move is expected to save parents on benefits £500 a year, according to the Department for Education. Kids in UC households currently not eligible will be able to start claiming lunches from the start of the 2026 school year. The entitlement will apply in all settings where free school meals are available, including school-based nurseries and further-education settings. Most parents will be able to apply before the start of the new school year by providing a national insurance number. Education Secretary Bridget Philipson previously told The Sun the move was a "game changer". 'This will make a big difference to children's attendance and behaviour at school because we know that if kids are hungry, they don't concentrate well." The expansion of the scheme comes ahead of ahead of the government's Child Poverty Taskforce publishing a ten-year strategy to drive down poverty. Labour are also facing mounting pressure to scrap the two child benefit cap, If you are keen to apply for the support you need to do so via your local council. You can find out what council you are in by visiting Elsewhere, Rachel Reeves also vowed to pump £39billion to build more social and affordable housing across the UK, alongside a new rent policy for social housing starting in 2026. What age do kids get free school meals in the UK? In England, all eligible children from reception to year two qualify for free school meals - so kids aged roughly between four and seven. In Scotland, all children between four and nine will qualify, while in Wales, pupils aged around four get free school meals. But, of course, all primary school-aged children should be eligible for the scheme by the end of 2024. That means children between four and 11. In any part of the UK, from year three onwards, your children could qualify for free school meals. But this is when the eligibility criteria kicks in, meaning you'll need to be receiving certain benefits and your income may be taken into consideration. Currently, your child may be able to get free school meals if you get any of the following: Income Support income-based Jobseeker's Allowance income-related Employment and Support Allowance support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 the guaranteed element of Pension Credit Child Tax Credit (provided you're not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190) Working Tax Credit run-on - paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit Universal Credit - if you apply on or after 1 April 2018 your household income must be less than £7,400 a year (after tax and not including any benefits you get) WHAT OTHER HELP IS AVAILABLE? You get child benefit if you're responsible for bringing up a child who is under 16 or under 20 if they are in approved education or training The payment is used to help parents cover the costs of childcare. It is paid at two weekly rates - £26.05 for your eldest or only child and £17.25 for any additional children. Payments are usually made every four weeks, on a Monday or Tuesday, but sometimes are made weekly. If you are claiming child benefit for a child under 12, you also receive National Insurance (NI) credits. NICs count towards your State Pension so claiming the benefit can be useful if you are missing any. Parents can also get help with free food vouchers through the government's Household Support Fund. What help is available for parents? CHILDCARE can be a costly business. Here is how you can get help. 30 hours free childcare - Parents of three and four-year-olds can apply for 30 hours free childcare a week. To qualify you must usually work at least 16 hours a week at the national living or minimum wage and earn less than £100,000 a year. Tax credits - For children under 20, some families can get help with childcare costs. Childcare vouchers - If your employer offers childcare vouchers you can get up to £55 a week in tax and national insurance savings. You pay for your childcare before your tax contributions are taken out. This scheme is open to new joiners until October 4, 2018, when it is planned that tax-free childcare will replace the vouchers. Tax-free childcare - Available to working families and the self-employed, for every £8 you put in the government will add an extra £2.
The Sun
04-06-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Half a million more kids will be entitled to free school meals in massive expansion of the scheme
HALF a million more kids will be entitled to free school meals under a massive expansion of the scheme, Sir Keir Starmer announced last night. Every child in a household on Universal Credit will now be eligible for state sponsored lunches, in a move that should lift 100,000 children out of poverty. 1 Expanding free school meals will save parents on benefits £500 per child every year, according to the Department for Education. Kids in UC households currently not eligible will be able to start claiming lunches from the start of the 2026 school year. The entitlement will apply in all settings where free school meals are available, including school-based nurseries and further-education settings. Most parents will be able to apply before the start of the new school year by providing a national insurance number. Education Secretary Bridget Philipson told The Sun the move is critical for ending the post-pandemic school attendance crisis and cracking down on bad behaviour. She said: 'What we're announcing is a game changer. 'This will make a big difference to children's attendance and behaviour at school because we know that if kids are hungry, they don't concentrate well. 'Sun will benefit directly from saving £500 per child per year.' Since 2018 kids have only been eligible for free meals if their household income is less than £7,400 per year. The major expansion comes ahead of the government's Child Poverty Taskforce publishing a ten-year strategy to drive down poverty. It also follows mounting pressure on the PM from rebel Labour MPs to scrap the two-child benefit cap. Sir Keir said: 'Working parents across the country are working tirelessly to provide for their families but are being held back by cost-of-living pressures. 'My government is taking action to ease those pressures. 'Feeding more children every day, for free, is one of the biggest interventions we can make to put more money in parents' pockets, tackle the stain of poverty, and set children up to learn.'
