In a House of Commons written question, Liberal Democrat MP Gideon Amos asked how much revenue has been generated from the VAT on fees policy; and what proportion of that revenue has been allocated to state education. Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury James Murray replied: "As set out at the Budget, the removal of the VAT tax break from private schools is expected to raise £460 million in 2024/25 and £1.7 billion a year by 2029/30. At the Budget the government also announced a £2.3 billion increase to the core schools budget in 2025/26 in England, increasing per pupil funding in real terms."

Conservative MP Dr Neil Shastri-Hurst submitted a written question in which he asked whether a recent assessment has been made of the potential impact of the application of VAT on independent school fees on the number of independent school closures in the financial years 2024-25 and 2025-26. Responding, Parliamentary Under-Secretary for the Department for Education Stephen Morgan said around 50 mainstream independent schools close each year due to factors including financial viability and failure to meet standards set by the department. He said: "We expect the number of private school closures to remain relatively low, and be influenced by various factors, not just the VAT policy. The government is aware there may be a temporary increase in the schools closure rate over the normal rate during the few years after implementation of the VAT policy. It is estimated that this may be broadly equivalent to 100 schools in total closing over the next three years, in addition to the normal levels of turnover, after which closures would return to historic norms. The government has conducted a thorough and detailed analysis of this policy’s impacts and published a Tax Impact and Information Note (TIIN), which can be found here." Hansard.

Conservative MP Peter Bedford has warned that young people are entering the "game of life" without essential money management skills. He has proposed a new law requiring primary schools and further-education colleges to teach financial education, amid concerns that online shoppers are being influenced by "marketing wizards" rather than learning to save. Introducing the Financial Education Bill using the Ten Minute Rule process in the House of Commons, Mr Bedford told ministers, "We are collectively creating the greatest financial crisis of our time." The bill will be listed for a debate on 25 April. By Will Durrant, The Independent. 

Nearly 40,000 child sexual abuse offences were committed by children in one year, according to analysis of data from 44 police forces in England and Wales. The figures show that, in total, 115,489 crimes linked to child sexual abuse and exploitation were recorded in 2023. The Vulnerability Knowledge and Practice Programme's report shows that age was recorded for offenders in 75,769 of the cases, of which 39,049, (52 per cent) were children aged 10 to 17. The crimes they committed included 22,821 offences that involved physical contact (58 per cent of the total), while 16,067 (41 per cent) involved indecent images. By Margaret Davis, Evening Standard.

Research suggests that TikTok videos have contributed to a dramatic increase in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) prescriptions following the pandemic. Experts have said the rise in ADHD diagnoses is likely linked to increased awareness of the condition, partly fuelled by social media platforms such as TikTok where influencers can share personal stories. The Times reports researchers have warned that information about ADHD shared on social media should be "approached with caution", adding: "Misinformation on these platforms may lead to misconceptions about symptoms, diagnosis and treatment." The paper also reports that parents are to be given the ability to block their teenagers from using TikTok during specific times of the day, see who their child follows (and who follows them), and view which accounts the child has blocked. By Eleanor Hayward and Mark Sellman.

Children under the age of eight should avoid slushy ice drinks containing glycerol, according to academics at the University of Dublin. In a study on the sweetening agent, they found that several children became unwell due to "glycerol intoxication syndrome", experiencing symptoms such as decreased consciousness and low blood sugar. "Clinicians and parents should remain vigilant, and public health bodies must provide clear messaging regarding the risks for younger children," the researchers warned. By Storm Newton, The Independent.

Writing in Independent School Management Plus, Nick Page reflects on how receiving a bursary at age 12 granted him access to a rich and diverse curriculum, fostering a lifelong love of learning and inspiring his own career in education. Mr Page highlights the importance of means-tested bursaries in providing transformative educational opportunities to talented pupils, regardless of their financial circumstances. He writes: "By introducing means-testing, you can ensure that students who really need the support – and who meet the requirements – can have access to it." Nick Page is founding headmaster at Wetherby Pembridge, a new independent co-educational senior school opening this autumn in West London.

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