Prime minister Rishi Sunak has claimed that the Labour Party's plan to impose VAT on independent school fees constitutes an "attack" on middle-income families. Speaking during a Q&A session with audience members on GB News earlier this week, Mr Sunak implied that many parents sending their children to independent schools were not rich but hardworking individuals striving for the best for their families. During the discussion, the assistant headteacher of an independent school on Teesside said Labour’s policy would drive many of his pupils out and into "a swamped state sector". Reference is made to figures from the Independent Schools Council. By Connie Dimsdale, iNews.

The Financial Times' money section (FT Money) is seeking to interview parents who are concerned about the impact of Labour's tax plans on their children's education. They would also like to find out how parents are planning to cover the fee rise. If you would like to speak to the paper in confidence, please contact money@ft.com. By John Aglionby.

Tes outlines the key points from Baroness Barran's speech to the House of Lords yesterday, in which she provided new information on attendance and the plan for an out-of-school register. Urging caution around “sweeping generalisations” about school attendance, Lady Barran said: “We are seeing lots of green shoots, in terms of attendance and high-level attendance; particularly, for example, in transition year groups like Year 7." By Cerys Turner.

Writing in Schools Week, senior associate in education law at IBB Law LLP Celia Whittuck points to statistics showing that between 2016 and 2022, two per cent of the total pupil population experienced exclusion and/or suspension. Ms Whittuck takes a closer look at analysis of government data by IBB Law, which has identified regional disparities, evolving trends and prevalent reasons behind these exclusions.

Anne Longfield writes in Tes calling for better multi-disciplinary partnerships with schools in light of the significant rise in children awaiting autism assessments since the pandemic. On the urgent need for action, Ms Longfield explains: "A quarter of autistic children are having to wait over three years to receive support - an extremely long time in a child’s early life." Anne Longfield CBE is executive chair of the Centre for Young Lives.

Safeguarding lead Thomas Michael writes in Tes offering advice to teachers on what seemingly innocuous words or emojis they should be aware of in pupil communications on messaging apps such as Teams, or when investigating pastoral issues.

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