Labour’s Education Manifesto In Full Swing

There are no “quick and easy solutions” to the “major challenges” facing education, Bridget Phillipson has warned in her speech since her appointment.

The new education secretary said the Labour government wanted to “build a fairer society with a government that delivers the best life chances for every child”.

But there is a “lot of work to be done to realise this mission against some major challenges”.

The new government faces urgent decisions on teacher pay, school funding from 2025, crumbling school buildings, what to do about soaring council SEND deficits and a worsening teacher recruitment and retention crisis, among other issues.

Phillipson said a “huge part” of her role was to “understand the scale of the challenges you are facing, and the support needed to fix them”.

“The scar of child poverty, severe financial pressures squeezing all your budgets, high workload, climbing vacancy rates, strain on care, mental health and SEND services, among many other issues, have made your jobs increasingly difficult.

“This is a tough inheritance – none of these have quick and easy solutions but I will work with and for you to find practical ways forward.”

“Under this new government, education will once again be at the heart of change and the forefront of national life.”
She said the change needed in education was “simple to describe, but vast to deliver”.

“Government can’t do it alone – we will work with you as essential and valued partners to deliver our shared mission.

“I want to renew the trust and respect we hold for each other. My commitment to teachers is to listen, to draw on your wealth of experience and to act on your honest feedback.”