Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has outlined his “ambition” that the parents of all primary-age pupils will be provided with “wraparound” childcare in school, between 8am and 6pm, by September 2026. In yesterday’s Budget, Mr Hunt also confirmed plans for an extra 30 hours a week of free, term-time childcare to be given to parents of children from the age of nine months to two years. By Callum Mason, Tes.

The Guardian reports that campaigners, parents and education leaders from the early-years sector in England have welcomed the Government's 'major extension' of state support for childcare costs, but have warned that the proposals could take years to come into effect and without enough funds they would fail. By Alexandra Topping.

The Government expects schools to charge parents for the proposed "wraparound childcare" once pilot funding to get provision up and running ends in 2026. By Samantha Booth, Schools Week.

Mothers and nursery workers react to the news of the chancellor's proposed childcare support reforms in interviews with The Guardian. By Sarah Marsh.

Writing in The Telegraph, financial columnist Matthew Lynn argues that the chancellor's plans to plans to offer up to 30 hours of free childcare a week to one and two-year-olds "might seem like a good policy on the surface.. but it in fact addresses the problem in the wrong way".

A body of five higher education trade unions and the Universities and Colleges Employers Association (UCEA) have announced a 'breakthrough' on pay and working conditions. It follows months of negotiations with employers during which lecturers have walked out, worked to rule and refused to cover for absent colleagues across the UK. By Robert Booth, The Guardian.

Yesterday saw teachers in membership of the National Education Union (NEU) taking part in the largest day of industrial action since the wave of walk outs began last year, with more than 400,000 workers across sectors striking because of pay disputes. By Tobi Thomas, The Guardian.

Members of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) have agreed on a five-year extension to the Eton v Harrow fixture with a further review on its future in 2027, following extensive talks. By Nick Hoult, The Telegraph.

Reflecting on yesterday's announcement by the MCC, Simon Heffer says "private schools are the backbone of cricket in this country". The Telegraph.

Figures published in The Economist’s 1843 magazine suggest Oxford professors remain 'overwhelmingly white and male' despite the student population diversifying. Roughly 80 per cent of its full professors are male whereas the average for British universities is 72 per cent. By Nicola Woolcock, The Times.

Census data has revealed that levels of home-ownership, good health and educational qualification “vary considerably” across ethnic groups in England and Wales. By Ian Jones, The Independent.

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