Sir Keir Starmer has unveiled a seventh policy to be funded by taxing independent school fees, which will be mental health support across every school in England to reduce levels of self-harm and suicide among young people. Speaking to the BBC, the Labour leader said it is one of a number of policies forming part of a “children’s recovery plan” to be funded by the party's proposed tax plans. A senior Conservative Party source has accused Labour of "stretching the limits of credulity", adding: "Their numbers simply don’t stack up, so Labour will either have to ramp up national debt or slam working families with higher taxes." By Nick Gutteridge, The Telegraph.

Telegraph Money explores Labour's intended tax plans and offers readers advice should they expect to be affected by the changes. Reference is made to figures from the Independent Schools Council (ISC) and an accompanying item entitled "Labour's private school tax plans" provides more detail on what independent schools can expect if Labour come to power. By Mattie Brignal.

Research from Cambridge University Press & Assessment has found that female students show higher levels of academic success than boys from their earliest education into university years. Based on UK data, the findings also suggest that neither reforms to qualifications nor the disruption of the pandemic have changed the direction of previously identified patterns. The Telegraph.

Cases of measles are surging across the country, new statistics from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) suggest. The data shows there were 1,603 suspected cases of measles in England and Wales in 2023, up from 735 in 2022, and just 360 the year before. The UKHSA has urged parents to check their children have had two doses of the MMR vaccine. By Thomas Moore, Sky News. 

Parents are being warned about the danger of “snus” nicotine pouches, amid concerns that children are increasingly using the powerful products as an alternative to vaping. More than 200 independent and state schools using the services of wellbeing hub Teen Tips will today receive an email briefing outlining the dangers posed by the pouches that are popular among footballers and TikTok influencers. By Sian Griffiths and Angus Mitchell, The Sunday Times. 

Saorsa-Amatheia Tweedale, a Whitehall diversity ambassador working in the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), has told colleagues working in schools that children who want to transition have the right to ignore their parents’ wishes, and compared taking puberty blockers to taking the contraceptive pill. In an online lecture to MPs last year, Ms Tweedale also claimed the belief that sex is binary is not “the modern scientific view”. By Steven Edginton, The Telegraph.

Jo Heywood, a former independent school headteacher, has said she fears children’s over-reliance on screens with predictive text will leave many unable to write and spell. Ms Heywood, who now works as a specialist mentor for students and parents, warned: “We have more and more young children typing instead of writing and using screens to learn." By Elizabeth Ivens, Daily Express.

In a feature on the issue of persistent absence in UK schools, The Observer speaks to former children's commissioner Anne Longfield as she launches the Centre for Young Lives. Intended to become “an Institute for Fiscal Studies for children", the institutions involved will undertake research on a range of key issues such as autism and mental health. By Yvonne Roberts. 

Amid rumours that Prince George could follow in his mother's footsteps and join Marlborough College, The Telegraph explores the school's extensive charitable and fundraising efforts that form the Marlborough Difference Campaign. Speaking of the initiative, which raised £1.3 million on its launch day alone, the school's master, Louise Moelwyn-Hughes, said: “Step by step, we as a school are expanding our reach, supporting more schools, people and causes locally and beyond.” Director of development Simon Lerwill added: "It provides a life-changing opportunity.” By Elizabeth Ivens. 

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