Conservative MP Dr Ben Spencer asked whether the chancellor, Rachel Reeves, intends to use revenue raised from the VAT on fees policy for purposes other than education. The MP referred to a recent social media post from Sir Keir Starmer, in which he suggested funding generated from the tax policy would go towards affordable housing. 

Responding, Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury James Murray said ministers have "taken a number of decisions on tax to stabilise the public finances and support public services". He added: "To raise school standards for every child, and break down the barriers to opportunity, the government will increase the core schools budget by £2.0bn in real terms over this Spending Review (2023-24 to 2028-29). This provides a £4.7bn cash increase per year by 2028-29 (compared to 2025-26), which ensures average real terms growth of 1.1% a year per pupil." Hansard.

More children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) should be taught in mainstream schools, the care minister has said. In an interview with iNews, Stephen Kinnock said he was working with the Department for Education to "boost inclusivity" and enhance expertise in mainstream education. Acknowledging the significant backlog for diagnosing SEND, he added that there were "questions over whether a diagnosis is always the best way forward" in relation to supporting children. Mr Kinnock's comments came while he was discussing new guidance from the Department of Health and Social Care, which will introduce compulsory training for care staff working with individuals with learning disabilities and autism. By Eleanor Langford.

The mother of a seven-year-old boy with autism and ADHD has told BBC News her family has been "failed and ignored" after he was refused a place at a specialist school. Lauren, whose son Austin hasn’t attended a full school day in nearly two years, had secured an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) stating his needs could not be met in mainstream education while living in Wiltshire. After relocating to Leicestershire in December 2024 to be nearer to family, she was told the EHCP would transfer with them, but, despite repeated requests for updates, she was later informed that Austin had been placed in a mainstream school. Lauren says she feels "hugely and continuously" failed by the system and the situation has taken its toll on her family. By Monika Plaha and Matt Taylor.

Fewer state school pupils were admitted to Oxford and Cambridge this academic year, according to new figures. Both universities saw a decline in the proportion of their intake from state schools and an increase in those who were independently educated. Oxford’s UK state school admissions were at the lowest since 2019, dropping from 67.6 per cent in 2023 to 66.2 per cent in 2024, while independent school intake rose from 32.4 per cent to 33.8 per cent. At Cambridge, 18.8 per cent of those who applied from state schools were successful, with 15.9 per cent of applicants from comprehensive schools admitted to the university compared with 21.6 per cent from independent schools. The article quotes the Department for Education, which said: "We will be reforming the higher education system, with our vision for transforming access and outcomes for disadvantaged students at the heart of this. We aim to set out our plans later this year." By Nicola Woolcock, The Times. 

Children with amblyopia, the medical term for the lazy eye condition, are increasingly slipping through the net for early treatment in areas where school-based vision screenings are not available, the Local Government Association (LGA) has warned. The LGA said some councils cannot provide this service due to limited capacity or tight budgets, prompting calls for more funding. The British and Irish Orthoptic Society has also urged that amblyopia screening be made universally available in all English schools, aligning England with Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. By Vanessa Clarke, BBC News.

Up to 12 school days per year might be lost to global warming by the end of the century, a study by the Met Office and University College London has found. Researchers examined nearly 20,000 state school buildings to assess how climate-related threats like flooding and overheating could impact students’ education in the future. The findings, which have been released during a week when amber heat alerts have been issued in parts of the UK, note that some schools may already experience one or two days annually where indoor temperatures exceed 35°C, making learning "very difficult". By Ella Jessel and Lydia Chantler-Hicks, Schools Week.

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