Labour conference 2025: Bridget Phillipson’s full speech The education secretary addressed the party’s annual conference in Liverpool
DfE wants breakfast clubs extended to 2,000 schools from April 2026 Schools will be invited to apply for a share of £80m funding, but heads warn rollout must take account of ‘concerns over funding, staffing and space’
Labour-linked education group backs Lucy Powell for deputy leader Backing for rival from Socialist Educational Association is a blow to education secretary Bridget Phillipson
Fewer staff want to resign – but more think pay is unfair Just 7 per cent of school staff report they were rarely or never overworked
Year 8s to sit mandatory reading test under white paper plans Move to ensure poorer pupils are not shut off from wider curriculum, but results will be published at national level only
Private schools face 50% hike in Ofsted inspection fees DfE proposes large hikes in fees paid by non-association independent schools, as just 34% of costs are currently covered
It’s time to champion school support staff and boost their rights Their pay and conditions are a priority for me as education secretary and will remain so if I become deputy leader
Government considers charging private schools more for inspections The watchdog currently subsidises two thirds of inspection costs for ‘non-association’ private schools, but government is ‘considering options to close the gap’
Call for immediate uniform cap made no difference Proportion of schools that require four or more branded items remains the same as last year – despite Phillipson’s plea for action