{"id":24082,"date":"2026-02-22T09:59:18","date_gmt":"2026-02-22T09:59:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/?p=24082"},"modified":"2026-02-22T09:59:18","modified_gmt":"2026-02-22T09:59:18","slug":"ministers-lay-out-plans-to-reduce-gap-between-poorest-and-most-affluent-pupils-uk-politics-live-politics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/?p=24082","title":{"rendered":"Ministers lay out plans to reduce gap between poorest and most affluent pupils &#8211; UK politics live | Politics"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div id=\"liveblog-body\"><span class=\"dcr-90inr0\"><gu-island name=\"KeyEventsCarousel\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;keyEvents&quot;:[{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;699ac78c8f08586d509355df&quot;,&quot;elements&quot;:[{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Bridget Phillipson is asked about the government\u2019s school reforms, namely around those concerning children with special educational needs and disabilities (Send) in England.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;50a18b42-c796-4989-99ba-28295be78629&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Trevor Phillips points out to her that there are 1.7 million children with special educational needs, nearly 500,000 of whom are school pupils. He says the proportion of children with &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/education\/2025\/jul\/07\/what-is-send-labour-backlash-overhaul-plans-england\\&quot;&gt;education, health and care (EHCP) plans&lt;\/a&gt; \u2013 which identify a child\u2019s needs and set out the support they should receive \u2013 has been increasing. He asks why this may be and Phillipson replies:&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;416ff07f-d24f-4abf-9e68-0c01ccc82ea6&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.BlockquoteBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;blockquote class=\\&quot;quoted\\&quot;&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Part of what we\u2019ve seen is that support for children with Send has been treated almost as an entirely separate issue, rather than it being integral to our school system. Lots of children at some point during their school lives will experience some form of challenge, will need extra support.&lt;\/em&gt;&lt;\/p&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;But the system that we have at the moment\u2026 is one that has made it the case that in order to get the support that children need, parents have to fight really hard to get that education, health and care plan. I\u2019ve heard from so many parents just how difficult, how devastating that has been. It can take years. It\u2019s really adversarial.&lt;\/em&gt;&lt;\/p&gt;\\n&lt;\/blockquote&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;a47a9439-3454-4ac6-9201-2c5edc2ebdfc&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Pressed by Trevor Phillips if the government is promising that an EHCP determination will be delivered within weeks, not months or years, Phillipson said:&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;fe3f9fba-5534-47d3-b2a3-2693f3b3670f&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.BlockquoteBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;blockquote class=\\&quot;quoted\\&quot;&gt;\\n &lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Yes. We will make sure that children get support much, much more quickly than is the case right now. And the commitment that I give to parents is that when they see all of the documents published tomorrow what they will see is a government that is focused on delivering better outcomes for their children. I am fiercely ambitious for every child in our country.&lt;\/em&gt;&lt;\/p&gt;\\n&lt;\/blockquote&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;a01e01de-6df0-4eb8-ab04-bec88facfd5b&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Phillipson later confirmed it will become \u201ca question of weeks, not a question of months and years\u201d. Many EHCPS are issued by local authorities beyond the 20 week deadline.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;741e1d5c-8d57-4f90-ac20-527e5ba80e0a&quot;}],&quot;attributes&quot;:{&quot;pinned&quot;:false,&quot;keyEvent&quot;:true,&quot;summary&quot;:false},&quot;blockCreatedOn&quot;:1771751808000,&quot;blockCreatedOnDisplay&quot;:&quot;09.16\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockLastUpdated&quot;:1771752845000,&quot;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&quot;:&quot;09.34\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublished&quot;:1771752684000,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&quot;:&quot;09.31\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&quot;:&quot;09.31&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Parents will get educational support for their child within 'weeks', not months or years, education secretary says&quot;,&quot;contributors&quot;:[],&quot;primaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;Sun 22 Feb 2026 09.49 GMT&quot;,&quot;secondaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;First published on Sun 22 Feb 2026 09.16 GMT&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;699abb018f08586d509355bb&quot;,&quot;elements&quot;:[{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of UK politics. The education secretary, &lt;strong&gt;Bridget Phillipson&lt;\/strong&gt;, will be speaking to the BBC and Sky News shortly and will likely be asked about government plans to &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/education\/2026\/feb\/21\/ministers-to-set-out-plans-to-halve-attainment-gap-in-england-schools\\&quot;&gt;halve the attainment gap&lt;\/a&gt; between the poorest pupils in England and their more affluent peers.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;ffb55931-d649-4612-9529-de0e2e524147&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The schools white paper&lt;\/strong&gt;, set to be published in full tomorrow, will set a target to halve the disadvantage gap by the time children born in this parliament finish secondary school.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;8cecba9a-6192-47bf-b984-284860d67b6b&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;It will detail proposals to change the criteria under which schools receive funding to support the most disadvantaged students, and will set out two new programmes to tackle performance of disadvantaged pupils locally in the North East and on the coast.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;e5167c4f-5c5b-4d22-8731-53f28c011c5b&quot;},{&quot;displayCredit&quot;:true,&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement&quot;,&quot;role&quot;:&quot;inline&quot;,&quot;media&quot;:{&quot;allImages&quot;:[{&quot;index&quot;:0,&quot;fields&quot;:{&quot;height&quot;:&quot;3840&quot;,&quot;width&quot;:&quot;5760&quot;},&quot;mediaType&quot;:&quot;Image&quot;,&quot;mimeType&quot;:&quot;image\/jpeg&quot;,&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/media.guim.co.uk\/7aa7aade596dfd5da5ae63c0705437e5acd53747\/0_0_5760_3840\/5760.jpg&quot;},{&quot;index&quot;:1,&quot;fields&quot;:{&quot;isMaster&quot;:&quot;true&quot;,&quot;height&quot;:&quot;3840&quot;,&quot;width&quot;:&quot;5760&quot;},&quot;mediaType&quot;:&quot;Image&quot;,&quot;mimeType&quot;:&quot;image\/jpeg&quot;,&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/media.guim.co.uk\/7aa7aade596dfd5da5ae63c0705437e5acd53747\/0_0_5760_3840\/master\/5760.jpg&quot;},{&quot;index&quot;:2,&quot;fields&quot;:{&quot;height&quot;:&quot;1333&quot;,&quot;width&quot;:&quot;2000&quot;},&quot;mediaType&quot;:&quot;Image&quot;,&quot;mimeType&quot;:&quot;image\/jpeg&quot;,&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/media.guim.co.uk\/7aa7aade596dfd5da5ae63c0705437e5acd53747\/0_0_5760_3840\/2000.jpg&quot;},{&quot;index&quot;:3,&quot;fields&quot;:{&quot;height&quot;:&quot;667&quot;,&quot;width&quot;:&quot;1000&quot;},&quot;mediaType&quot;:&quot;Image&quot;,&quot;mimeType&quot;:&quot;image\/jpeg&quot;,&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/media.guim.co.uk\/7aa7aade596dfd5da5ae63c0705437e5acd53747\/0_0_5760_3840\/1000.jpg&quot;},{&quot;index&quot;:4,&quot;fields&quot;:{&quot;height&quot;:&quot;333&quot;,&quot;width&quot;:&quot;500&quot;},&quot;mediaType&quot;:&quot;Image&quot;,&quot;mimeType&quot;:&quot;image\/jpeg&quot;,&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/media.guim.co.uk\/7aa7aade596dfd5da5ae63c0705437e5acd53747\/0_0_5760_3840\/500.jpg&quot;},{&quot;index&quot;:5,&quot;fields&quot;:{&quot;height&quot;:&quot;93&quot;,&quot;width&quot;:&quot;140&quot;},&quot;mediaType&quot;:&quot;Image&quot;,&quot;mimeType&quot;:&quot;image\/jpeg&quot;,&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/media.guim.co.uk\/7aa7aade596dfd5da5ae63c0705437e5acd53747\/0_0_5760_3840\/140.jpg&quot;}]},&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;1ddc65a5-0ad2-441a-8b00-d054cac1a07d&quot;,&quot;imageSources&quot;:[{&quot;weighting&quot;:&quot;inline&quot;,&quot;srcSet&quot;:[{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/7aa7aade596dfd5da5ae63c0705437e5acd53747\/0_0_5760_3840\/master\/5760.jpg?width=620&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=93b25507bb7e325105b0a932110170bd&quot;,&quot;width&quot;:620},{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/7aa7aade596dfd5da5ae63c0705437e5acd53747\/0_0_5760_3840\/master\/5760.jpg?width=620&amp;quality=45&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=9d2605ba4a666d8d8187a3c90855b4bb&quot;,&quot;width&quot;:1240},{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/7aa7aade596dfd5da5ae63c0705437e5acd53747\/0_0_5760_3840\/master\/5760.jpg?width=605&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=f871b20f65958bb78bb1e3220b9ab989&quot;,&quot;width&quot;:605},{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/7aa7aade596dfd5da5ae63c0705437e5acd53747\/0_0_5760_3840\/master\/5760.jpg?width=605&amp;quality=45&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=b839b850c437dd240a4d6f1117090686&quot;,&quot;width&quot;:1210},{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/7aa7aade596dfd5da5ae63c0705437e5acd53747\/0_0_5760_3840\/master\/5760.jpg?width=445&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=6098905ec0d67920ffc96a9813c699cb&quot;,&quot;width&quot;:445},{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/7aa7aade596dfd5da5ae63c0705437e5acd53747\/0_0_5760_3840\/master\/5760.jpg?width=445&amp;quality=45&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=e60ff7af4ce6ccf55a370a631e1a9269&quot;,&quot;width&quot;:890}]},{&quot;weighting&quot;:&quot;thumbnail&quot;,&quot;srcSet&quot;:[{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/7aa7aade596dfd5da5ae63c0705437e5acd53747\/0_0_5760_3840\/master\/5760.jpg?width=140&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=06e1324219e0bbcfeffe3eda9119dca0&quot;,&quot;width&quot;:140},{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/7aa7aade596dfd5da5ae63c0705437e5acd53747\/0_0_5760_3840\/master\/5760.jpg?width=140&amp;quality=45&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=06f36af7756b9ec5b674df333d319ee5&quot;,&quot;width&quot;:280},{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/7aa7aade596dfd5da5ae63c0705437e5acd53747\/0_0_5760_3840\/master\/5760.jpg?width=120&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=4e518a1ab8fa36c45890213e539663e3&quot;,&quot;width&quot;:120},{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/7aa7aade596dfd5da5ae63c0705437e5acd53747\/0_0_5760_3840\/master\/5760.jpg?width=120&amp;quality=45&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=91fd9557fc5ae712753470f10d400b2e&quot;,&quot;width&quot;:240}]},{&quot;weighting&quot;:&quot;supporting&quot;,&quot;srcSet&quot;:[{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/7aa7aade596dfd5da5ae63c0705437e5acd53747\/0_0_5760_3840\/master\/5760.jpg?width=380&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=f5202cb2d5ac9a9c01a5cdaa8de67063&quot;,&quot;width&quot;:380},{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/7aa7aade596dfd5da5ae63c0705437e5acd53747\/0_0_5760_3840\/master\/5760.jpg?width=380&amp;quality=45&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=dd6dd170b38ca98fcc313918ba4404ed&quot;,&quot;width&quot;:760},{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/7aa7aade596dfd5da5ae63c0705437e5acd53747\/0_0_5760_3840\/master\/5760.jpg?width=300&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=6a6455a7d10a47f964774103412b3a64&quot;,&quot;width&quot;:300},{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/7aa7aade596dfd5da5ae63c0705437e5acd53747\/0_0_5760_3840\/master\/5760.jpg?width=300&amp;quality=45&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=2af7a68776ce1bf5932d3bba43fbd620&quot;,&quot;width&quot;:600},{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/7aa7aade596dfd5da5ae63c0705437e5acd53747\/0_0_5760_3840\/master\/5760.jpg?width=620&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=93b25507bb7e325105b0a932110170bd&quot;,&quot;width&quot;:620},{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/7aa7aade596dfd5da5ae63c0705437e5acd53747\/0_0_5760_3840\/master\/5760.jpg?width=620&amp;quality=45&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=9d2605ba4a666d8d8187a3c90855b4bb&quot;,&quot;width&quot;:1240},{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/7aa7aade596dfd5da5ae63c0705437e5acd53747\/0_0_5760_3840\/master\/5760.jpg?width=605&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=f871b20f65958bb78bb1e3220b9ab989&quot;,&quot;width&quot;:605},{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/7aa7aade596dfd5da5ae63c0705437e5acd53747\/0_0_5760_3840\/master\/5760.jpg?width=605&amp;quality=45&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=b839b850c437dd240a4d6f1117090686&quot;,&quot;width&quot;:1210},{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/7aa7aade596dfd5da5ae63c0705437e5acd53747\/0_0_5760_3840\/master\/5760.jpg?width=445&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=6098905ec0d67920ffc96a9813c699cb&quot;,&quot;width&quot;:445},{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/7aa7aade596dfd5da5ae63c0705437e5acd53747\/0_0_5760_3840\/master\/5760.jpg?width=445&amp;quality=45&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=e60ff7af4ce6ccf55a370a631e1a9269&quot;,&quot;width&quot;:890}]},{&quot;weighting&quot;:&quot;showcase&quot;,&quot;srcSet&quot;:[{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/7aa7aade596dfd5da5ae63c0705437e5acd53747\/0_0_5760_3840\/master\/5760.jpg?width=860&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=28f36d05455693f9480b3788e27c81b7&quot;,&quot;width&quot;:860},{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/7aa7aade596dfd5da5ae63c0705437e5acd53747\/0_0_5760_3840\/master\/5760.jpg?width=860&amp;quality=45&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=82341b8c5fcf5234f39d0bd229469617&quot;,&quot;width&quot;:1720},{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/7aa7aade596dfd5da5ae63c0705437e5acd53747\/0_0_5760_3840\/master\/5760.jpg?width=780&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=136d7d3897e8ef274b9b546b7007147f&quot;,&quot;width&quot;:780},{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/7aa7aade596dfd5da5ae63c0705437e5acd53747\/0_0_5760_3840\/master\/5760.jpg?width=780&amp;quality=45&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=5138591f62325a0dc74ad3eee654b472&quot;,&quot;width&quot;:1560},{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/7aa7aade596dfd5da5ae63c0705437e5acd53747\/0_0_5760_3840\/master\/5760.jpg?width=620&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=93b25507bb7e325105b0a932110170bd&quot;,&quot;width&quot;:620},{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/7aa7aade596dfd5da5ae63c0705437e5acd53747\/0_0_5760_3840\/master\/5760.jpg?width=620&amp;quality=45&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=9d2605ba4a666d8d8187a3c90855b4bb&quot;,&quot;width&quot;:1240},{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/7aa7aade596dfd5da5ae63c0705437e5acd53747\/0_0_5760_3840\/master\/5760.jpg?width=605&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=f871b20f65958bb78bb1e3220b9ab989&quot;,&quot;width&quot;:605},{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/7aa7aade596dfd5da5ae63c0705437e5acd53747\/0_0_5760_3840\/master\/5760.jpg?width=605&amp;quality=45&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=b839b850c437dd240a4d6f1117090686&quot;,&quot;width&quot;:1210},{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/7aa7aade596dfd5da5ae63c0705437e5acd53747\/0_0_5760_3840\/master\/5760.jpg?width=445&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=6098905ec0d67920ffc96a9813c699cb&quot;,&quot;width&quot;:445},{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/7aa7aade596dfd5da5ae63c0705437e5acd53747\/0_0_5760_3840\/master\/5760.jpg?width=445&amp;quality=45&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=e60ff7af4ce6ccf55a370a631e1a9269&quot;,&quot;width&quot;:890}]},{&quot;weighting&quot;:&quot;halfwidth&quot;,&quot;srcSet&quot;:[{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/7aa7aade596dfd5da5ae63c0705437e5acd53747\/0_0_5760_3840\/master\/5760.jpg?width=620&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=93b25507bb7e325105b0a932110170bd&quot;,&quot;width&quot;:620},{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/7aa7aade596dfd5da5ae63c0705437e5acd53747\/0_0_5760_3840\/master\/5760.jpg?width=620&amp;quality=45&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=9d2605ba4a666d8d8187a3c90855b4bb&quot;,&quot;width&quot;:1240},{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/7aa7aade596dfd5da5ae63c0705437e5acd53747\/0_0_5760_3840\/master\/5760.jpg?width=605&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=f871b20f65958bb78bb1e3220b9ab989&quot;,&quot;width&quot;:605},{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/7aa7aade596dfd5da5ae63c0705437e5acd53747\/0_0_5760_3840\/master\/5760.jpg?width=605&amp;quality=45&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=b839b850c437dd240a4d6f1117090686&quot;,&quot;width&quot;:1210},{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/7aa7aade596dfd5da5ae63c0705437e5acd53747\/0_0_5760_3840\/master\/5760.jpg?width=445&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=6098905ec0d67920ffc96a9813c699cb&quot;,&quot;width&quot;:445},{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/7aa7aade596dfd5da5ae63c0705437e5acd53747\/0_0_5760_3840\/master\/5760.jpg?width=445&amp;quality=45&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=e60ff7af4ce6ccf55a370a631e1a9269&quot;,&quot;width&quot;:890}]},{&quot;weighting&quot;:&quot;immersive&quot;,&quot;srcSet&quot;:[{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/7aa7aade596dfd5da5ae63c0705437e5acd53747\/0_0_5760_3840\/master\/5760.jpg?width=1900&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=a8eb45429ba1c3b6bfb7f3b0f33bd769&quot;,&quot;width&quot;:1900},{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/7aa7aade596dfd5da5ae63c0705437e5acd53747\/0_0_5760_3840\/master\/5760.jpg?width=1900&amp;quality=45&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=09a345c486ab6cdd4d57b85d24510c44&quot;,&quot;width&quot;:3800},{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/7aa7aade596dfd5da5ae63c0705437e5acd53747\/0_0_5760_3840\/master\/5760.jpg?width=1300&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=c17ef41edd7ffd67080d1b1905744e77&quot;,&quot;width&quot;:1300},{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/7aa7aade596dfd5da5ae63c0705437e5acd53747\/0_0_5760_3840\/master\/5760.jpg?width=1300&amp;quality=45&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=0537a7e7c1242f90adf6f8de6f5fa798&quot;,&quot;width&quot;:2600},{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/7aa7aade596dfd5da5ae63c0705437e5acd53747\/0_0_5760_3840\/master\/5760.jpg?width=1140&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=7147fe9b639233cf9bb23679535667ba&quot;,&quot;width&quot;:1140},{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/7aa7aade596dfd5da5ae63c0705437e5acd53747\/0_0_5760_3840\/master\/5760.jpg?width=1140&amp;quality=45&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=7aab804e72fcc00281876631d718b621&quot;,&quot;width&quot;:2280},{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/7aa7aade596dfd5da5ae63c0705437e5acd53747\/0_0_5760_3840\/master\/5760.jpg?width=980&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=2cf1bd535e060b9e91749c5942493707&quot;,&quot;width&quot;:980},{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/7aa7aade596dfd5da5ae63c0705437e5acd53747\/0_0_5760_3840\/master\/5760.jpg?width=980&amp;quality=45&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=0e4f2a0184e80867fa7f784f09bb999e&quot;,&quot;width&quot;:1960},{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/7aa7aade596dfd5da5ae63c0705437e5acd53747\/0_0_5760_3840\/master\/5760.jpg?width=740&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=b99f0b0caf0840d16155f5269913fef5&quot;,&quot;width&quot;:740},{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/7aa7aade596dfd5da5ae63c0705437e5acd53747\/0_0_5760_3840\/master\/5760.jpg?width=740&amp;quality=45&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=d3bc20382d6d5a3b868df6a6e551941a&quot;,&quot;width&quot;:1480},{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/7aa7aade596dfd5da5ae63c0705437e5acd53747\/0_0_5760_3840\/master\/5760.jpg?width=660&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=22bd9761fa3c68963800ea984b31a453&quot;,&quot;width&quot;:660},{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/7aa7aade596dfd5da5ae63c0705437e5acd53747\/0_0_5760_3840\/master\/5760.jpg?width=660&amp;quality=45&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=dfae4fb26bd6ae39847c340e20c593f8&quot;,&quot;width&quot;:1320},{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/7aa7aade596dfd5da5ae63c0705437e5acd53747\/0_0_5760_3840\/master\/5760.jpg?width=480&amp;quality=85&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;s=9738c9beec15ddd876c1ad39db8d7597&quot;,&quot;width&quot;:480},{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/7aa7aade596dfd5da5ae63c0705437e5acd53747\/0_0_5760_3840\/master\/5760.jpg?width=480&amp;quality=45&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=max&amp;dpr=2&amp;s=702b7431731a5532e8e2d701333958a9&quot;,&quot;width&quot;:960}]}],&quot;data&quot;:{&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;The new schools white paper is expected to be published in full on Monday morning.&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;The new schools white paper is expected to be published in full on Monday morning.&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Photograph: lovethephoto\/Alamy&quot;}},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;In the latest GCSE results, the disadvantage gap index for year 11s stood at 3.92, according to the Department for Education (DfE).&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;e5c47ec6-0189-4cbc-933f-9df5ad73c961&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;It had previously narrowed from 4.07 in 2011 to a low of 3.66 in 2019\/20 with some small fluctuations in between. It then widened again post-pandemic to the highest it had been in a decade at 3.94 in 2022\/23.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;903cf31b-64af-4a35-950d-341165030fd0&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Phillipson, a Sunderland MP who grew up in the north-east, said the reforms will help end the \u201cone-size-fits-all system\u201d and present a \u201cgolden opportunity to cut the link between background and success\u201d.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;539813a3-8cbe-477e-9e6c-8dd553b6744a&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;The schools white paper will also reportedly set out proposals to transform the &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/education\/specialeducationneeds\\&quot;&gt;special educational needs&lt;\/a&gt; and disabilities (&lt;strong&gt;Send&lt;\/strong&gt;) system, in what could be one of the defining policy challenges of Keir Starmer\u2019s fragile administration.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;1540899d-49d8-4eb8-9b3a-ec28c0f036d3&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;Children with a legal right to special needs support will face a review when they move to secondary school, my colleagues Alexandra Topping and&lt;em&gt;&lt;strong&gt; &lt;\/strong&gt;&lt;\/em&gt;Richard Adams &lt;a href=\\&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/education\/2026\/feb\/19\/send-special-needs-support-eligibility-review-secondary-school-england\\&quot;&gt;report&lt;\/a&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;099035fa-9925-434f-81e9-603531bf79f7&quot;},{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement&quot;,&quot;html&quot;:&quot;&lt;p&gt;The reforms will raise the bar at which children in England qualify for an education, health and care plan (EHCP), which legally entitles children with Send to get support.&lt;\/p&gt;&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;7fb8e4ad-99ed-4e60-8d33-2b6ea91dd3e0&quot;}],&quot;attributes&quot;:{&quot;pinned&quot;:false,&quot;keyEvent&quot;:true,&quot;summary&quot;:false},&quot;blockCreatedOn&quot;:1771751808000,&quot;blockCreatedOnDisplay&quot;:&quot;09.16\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockLastUpdated&quot;:1771749950000,&quot;blockLastUpdatedDisplay&quot;:&quot;08.45\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublished&quot;:1771751808000,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplay&quot;:&quot;09.16\u00a0GMT&quot;,&quot;blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone&quot;:&quot;09.16&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Education secretary to face questions as government sets out plans to halve attainment gap in England\u2019s schools&quot;,&quot;contributors&quot;:[],&quot;primaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;Sun 22 Feb 2026 09.49 GMT&quot;,&quot;secondaryDateLine&quot;:&quot;First published on Sun 22 Feb 2026 09.16 GMT&quot;}],&quot;filterKeyEvents&quot;:false,&quot;id&quot;:&quot;key-events-carousel-mobile&quot;,&quot;renderingTarget&quot;:&quot;Web&quot;,&quot;serverTime&quot;:1771754357985}\"><span id=\"key-events-carousel-mobile\"\/><span class=\"dcr-90inr0\"><\/p>\n<p>Key events<\/p>\n<p><\/span><\/gu-island><gu-island name=\"FilterKeyEventsToggle\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;filterKeyEvents&quot;:false,&quot;id&quot;:&quot;filter-toggle-mobile&quot;}\"><span id=\"filter-toggle-mobile\"\/><\/p>\n<div class=\"dcr-alru3r\"><label id=\"filter-toggle-mobile-switch_description\" data-component=\"filter-key-events\" data-link-name=\"filter-key-events-on\" class=\"dcr-rrspei\"><button id=\"filter-toggle-mobile-switch\" role=\"switch\" aria-checked=\"false\" aria-labelledby=\"filter-toggle-mobile-switch_description\" class=\"dcr-dh5oqp\"\/>Show key events only<\/p>\n<p><span>Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/label><\/div>\n<p><\/gu-island><\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"block-699acdc98f08800993a4cc53\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\"\/>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The education secretary is asked about the growing anger of the cost of student loans which has escalated since the chancellor\u2019s decision last November to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/money\/2025\/nov\/27\/freeze-uk-student-loan-repayment-threshold-nus-warning\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">freeze the salary threshold<\/a> for \u201cplan 2\u201d student loan repayments for three years.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Rachel Reeves said the salary at which plan 2 student loans must be paid back would be frozen at \u00a329,385 for three years starting from next April. It means borrowers will have to pay even more towards their student loans as they benefit from pay rises.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Plan 2 loans were taken out by students from England who started university between September 2012 and July 2023, and students from Wales who have started since September 2012. Graduates have to repay 9% of everything they earn over a threshold \u2013 now \u00a328,470 a year.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Interest on the loans is charged at the rate of RPI inflation plus up to 3%, depending on how much a graduate earns. The Tories, which introduced the loans in the coalition government, have now promised to limit the rate on the loans to the retail price index (RPI) in a move that will heap further pressure on the Treasury.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Asked on Sky News how she will help loan 2 graduates saddled with huge amounts of debts, Phillipson said:<\/p>\n<blockquote data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-154zxly\">\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 14\" style=\"fill:var(--block-quote-fill)\" class=\"dcr-scql1j\"><title>double quotation mark<\/title><path d=\"M5.255 0h4.75c-.572 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941H0C.792 9.104 2.44 4.53 5.255 0Zm11.061 0H21c-.506 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941h-8.686c.902-4.837 2.485-9.411 5.3-13.941Z\"\/><\/svg><em>Now I get the problem. I see the issue. In reality, as a government, you have to look at a question of priorities and what you can do and how fast you can do it. Given the shape of what we have in the public finances, this is really hard.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Phillipson said she is bringing in maintenance grants for less well-off students. \u201cThe threshold for repayment is going up this year. It will then, in future years, be frozen.\u201d<\/p>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;politics\/live\/2026\/feb\/22\/uk-education-ehcp-attainment-schools-andrew-latest-news-updates&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-699acdc98f08800993a4cc53&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-699acdc98f08800993a4cc53&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Ministers lay out plans to reduce gap between poorest and most affluent pupils - UK politics live&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Ministers lay out plans to reduce gap between poorest and most affluent pupils - UK politics live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2026\/feb\/22\/uk-education-ehcp-attainment-schools-andrew-latest-news-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-699acdc98f08800993a4cc53#block-699acdc98f08800993a4cc53\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/p>\n<p>Updated at\u00a0<time datetime=\"2026-02-22T09:49:14.000Z\" data-locale=\"en-gb\" title=\"Sunday, 22 February 2026 at 09:49 Greenwich Mean Time\">09.49 GMT<\/time><\/p>\n<\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<aside data-ad-slot=\"true\" class=\"ad-slot-container ad-slot-desktop dcr-jko40v\"\/>\n<aside data-ad-slot=\"true\" class=\"ad-slot-container dcr-jko40v\"\/>\n<article id=\"block-699ac78c8f08586d509355df\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\">\n<h2 class=\"dcr-1wl2b6o\">Parents will get educational support for their child within &#8216;weeks&#8217;, not months or years, education secretary says<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Bridget Phillipson is asked about the government\u2019s school reforms, namely around those concerning children with special educational needs and disabilities (Send) in England.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Trevor Phillips points out to her that there are 1.7 million children with special educational needs, nearly 500,000 of whom are school pupils. He says the proportion of children with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/education\/2025\/jul\/07\/what-is-send-labour-backlash-overhaul-plans-england\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">education, health and care (EHCP) plans<\/a> \u2013 which identify a child\u2019s needs and set out the support they should receive \u2013 has been increasing. He asks why this may be and Phillipson replies:<\/p>\n<blockquote data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-154zxly\">\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 14\" style=\"fill:var(--block-quote-fill)\" class=\"dcr-scql1j\"><title>double quotation mark<\/title><path d=\"M5.255 0h4.75c-.572 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941H0C.792 9.104 2.44 4.53 5.255 0Zm11.061 0H21c-.506 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941h-8.686c.902-4.837 2.485-9.411 5.3-13.941Z\"\/><\/svg><em>Part of what we\u2019ve seen is that support for children with Send has been treated almost as an entirely separate issue, rather than it being integral to our school system. Lots of children at some point during their school lives will experience some form of challenge, will need extra support.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>But the system that we have at the moment\u2026 is one that has made it the case that in order to get the support that children need, parents have to fight really hard to get that education, health and care plan. I\u2019ve heard from so many parents just how difficult, how devastating that has been. It can take years. It\u2019s really adversarial.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Pressed by Trevor Phillips if the government is promising that an EHCP determination will be delivered within weeks, not months or years, Phillipson said:<\/p>\n<blockquote data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-154zxly\">\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 14\" style=\"fill:var(--block-quote-fill)\" class=\"dcr-scql1j\"><title>double quotation mark<\/title><path d=\"M5.255 0h4.75c-.572 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941H0C.792 9.104 2.44 4.53 5.255 0Zm11.061 0H21c-.506 4.53-1.077 8.972-1.297 13.941h-8.686c.902-4.837 2.485-9.411 5.3-13.941Z\"\/><\/svg><em>Yes. We will make sure that children get support much, much more quickly than is the case right now. And the commitment that I give to parents is that when they see all of the documents published tomorrow what they will see is a government that is focused on delivering better outcomes for their children. I am fiercely ambitious for every child in our country.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Phillipson later confirmed it will become \u201ca question of weeks, not a question of months and years\u201d. Many EHCPS are issued by local authorities beyond the 20 week deadline.<\/p>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;politics\/live\/2026\/feb\/22\/uk-education-ehcp-attainment-schools-andrew-latest-news-updates&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-699ac78c8f08586d509355df&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-699ac78c8f08586d509355df&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Ministers lay out plans to reduce gap between poorest and most affluent pupils - UK politics live&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Ministers lay out plans to reduce gap between poorest and most affluent pupils - UK politics live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2026\/feb\/22\/uk-education-ehcp-attainment-schools-andrew-latest-news-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-699ac78c8f08586d509355df#block-699ac78c8f08586d509355df\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/p>\n<p>Updated at\u00a0<time datetime=\"2026-02-22T09:34:05.000Z\" data-locale=\"en-gb\" title=\"Sunday, 22 February 2026 at 09:34 Greenwich Mean Time\">09.34 GMT<\/time><\/p>\n<\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<aside data-ad-slot=\"true\" class=\"ad-slot-container dcr-jko40v\"\/>\n<article id=\"block-699abb018f08586d509355bb\" class=\"block dcr-1os4bxs\">\n<header class=\"dcr-88va8u\">\n<h2 class=\"dcr-1wl2b6o\">Education secretary to face questions as government sets out plans to halve attainment gap in England\u2019s schools<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of UK politics. The education secretary, <strong>Bridget Phillipson<\/strong>, will be speaking to the BBC and Sky News shortly and will likely be asked about government plans to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/education\/2026\/feb\/21\/ministers-to-set-out-plans-to-halve-attainment-gap-in-england-schools\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">halve the attainment gap<\/a> between the poorest pupils in England and their more affluent peers.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>The schools white paper<\/strong>, set to be published in full tomorrow, will set a target to halve the disadvantage gap by the time children born in this parliament finish secondary school.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">It will detail proposals to change the criteria under which schools receive funding to support the most disadvantaged students, and will set out two new programmes to tackle performance of disadvantaged pupils locally in the North East and on the coast.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"6a6e0305-5d4a-4346-8adf-bbe0598c08fd\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\"><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-fd61eq\"><span class=\"dcr-1inf02i\"><svg width=\"18\" height=\"13\" viewbox=\"0 0 18 13\"><path d=\"M18 3.5v8l-1.5 1.5h-15l-1.5-1.5v-8l1.5-1.5h3.5l2-2h4l2 2h3.5l1.5 1.5zm-9 7.5c1.9 0 3.5-1.6 3.5-3.5s-1.6-3.5-3.5-3.5-3.5 1.6-3.5 3.5 1.6 3.5 3.5 3.5z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1qvd3m6\">The new schools white paper is expected to be published in full on Monday morning.<\/span> Photograph: lovethephoto\/Alamy<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">In the latest GCSE results, the disadvantage gap index for year 11s stood at 3.92, according to the Department for Education (DfE).<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">It had previously narrowed from 4.07 in 2011 to a low of 3.66 in 2019\/20 with some small fluctuations in between. It then widened again post-pandemic to the highest it had been in a decade at 3.94 in 2022\/23.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Phillipson, a Sunderland MP who grew up in the north-east, said the reforms will help end the \u201cone-size-fits-all system\u201d and present a \u201cgolden opportunity to cut the link between background and success\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The schools white paper will also reportedly set out proposals to transform the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/education\/specialeducationneeds\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">special educational needs<\/a> and disabilities (<strong>Send<\/strong>) system, in what could be one of the defining policy challenges of Keir Starmer\u2019s fragile administration.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Children with a legal right to special needs support will face a review when they move to secondary school, my colleagues Alexandra Topping and<em><strong> <\/strong><\/em>Richard Adams <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/education\/2026\/feb\/19\/send-special-needs-support-eligibility-review-secondary-school-england\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">report<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The reforms will raise the bar at which children in England qualify for an education, health and care plan (EHCP), which legally entitles children with Send to get support.<\/p>\n<footer class=\"dcr-3i7iba\"><gu-island name=\"ShareButton\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;size&quot;:&quot;xsmall&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;politics\/live\/2026\/feb\/22\/uk-education-ehcp-attainment-schools-andrew-latest-news-updates&quot;,&quot;hash&quot;:&quot;block-699abb018f08586d509355bb&quot;,&quot;queryParams&quot;:{&quot;page&quot;:&quot;with:block-699abb018f08586d509355bb&quot;},&quot;webTitle&quot;:&quot;Ministers lay out plans to reduce gap between poorest and most affluent pupils - UK politics live&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:11,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0},&quot;context&quot;:&quot;LiveBlock&quot;}\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Ministers lay out plans to reduce gap between poorest and most affluent pupils - UK politics live&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/live\/2026\/feb\/22\/uk-education-ehcp-attainment-schools-andrew-latest-news-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-699abb018f08586d509355bb#block-699abb018f08586d509355bb\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M19 16c1.675 0 3 1.35 3 3 0 1.675-1.325 3-3 3a2.97 2.97 0 0 1-2.975-3c0-.125 0-.275.025-.375L7.1 14.15a2.9 2.9 0 0 1-2.075.825C3.325 14.975 2 13.65 2 12a3.004 3.004 0 0 1 3.025-3.025c.775 0 1.5.35 2.075.875l8.95-4.475c-.025-.1-.025-.225-.025-.4A2.966 2.966 0 0 1 19 2c1.675 0 3 1.325 3 2.975C22 6.65 20.675 8 19 8c-.8 0-1.475-.325-2.05-.825l-8.975 4.45C8 11.7 8 11.825 8 12s0 .3-.025.375l8.975 4.45c.575-.5 1.25-.825 2.05-.825m0-12.8c-.975 0-1.8.775-1.8 1.775S18.025 6.8 19 6.8c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.825S20 3.2 19 3.2m0 17.6c1 0 1.825-.825 1.825-1.8 0-1-.825-1.8-1.825-1.8-.975 0-1.8.8-1.8 1.8 0 .975.825 1.8 1.8 1.8\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/gu-island><\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<p>#Ministers #lay #plans #reduce #gap #poorest #affluent #pupils #politics #live #Politics<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Key events Show key events onl&hellip; <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":24083,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24082"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=24082"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24082\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/24083"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=24082"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=24082"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=24082"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}