Yvette Cooper says Labour ‘did not do government very well’ under Starmer Health secretary praises more collegiate style under Andy Burnham and says previous No 10 sidelined her from key policy launch The Guardian - UK · Aug 13
Keir Starmer defiant as Labour leadership challenge mounts from rivals: ‘Our plan is working’ Starmer highlights the UK’s growing economy, migration numbers falling and low NHS waiting times as he faces pressure over leadership The Independent UK · May 23
Starmer insists he will ‘keep pushing forward’ as he defends record in office The Prime Minister said his Government was delivering the change voters demanded in the 2024 landslide. Evening Standard · May 23
Reform UK’s ‘pro-family’ policies are an exclusionary sham, minister says Olivia Bailey says she wants Sure Start-style hubs that will be rolled out in England on Monday to be inclusive for all The Guardian - UK · Mar 28
Children are ‘sitting ducks’ in measles outbreak as dozens of schools block vaccination teams Experts warn unvaccinated children at risk as north London outbreak spreads The Independent UK · Feb 20
Wednesday briefing: Can we turn around the growing school readiness crisis? In today’s newsletter: Rising living costs, shrinking early years services and soaring screen use are reshaping what teachers encounter on the first day of school, with consequences felt across the system The Guardian - UK · Jan 28
Labour’s child poverty strategy is a great step forward for social justice THE INDEPENDENT VIEW: Editorial: Lifting the two-child benefit limit – at a cost of £3bn – will improve the life chances of more than half a million young people. For this government, it is a move in the right direction The Independent UK · Dec 5, 2025
More reading tests won’t help children improve their literacy – here’s what will Letters: Michael Robinson says teachers, governors and unions need to get round the table and find real solutions, not argue about testing for 13-year-olds. Plus letters from Simon Gibbs, Helen Elliott and Tristram Burden The Guardian - UK · Nov 5, 2025
Parenting advice on social media is often poor quality, says Phillipson Education secretary warns against misleading claims online during launch of ‘Best Start in Life’ campaign The Guardian - UK · Oct 14, 2025
Third of parents relying on social media to find parenting tips – survey The Department for Education is launching new guidance to help parents find evidence-backed advice. Evening Standard · Oct 13, 2025
Why should you be Labour’s next deputy leader? Guardian readers quiz the candidates As party members prepare to choose between Bridget Phillipson and Lucy Powell, the pair give their views on wealth taxes, Brexit, the climate crisis and the far right The Guardian - UK · Oct 11, 2025
Focusing on children’s first 1,001 days can build neighbourhood support for migrant families The UK government’s new ten-year health plan for England prioritises tackling health inequalities through local preventive measures. One promising approach is to build on the strengths of migrant families by fostering neighbourhood peer support – particularly for underserved communities. The Conversation · Sep 10, 2025
The rise and fall of Angela Rayner: from council estate to the halls of power She escaped poverty to become a leading light of the Labour party, only to be brought down over a property tax payment scandal Evening Standard · Sep 5, 2025
Bring back early years scheme Sure Start to fend off Reform, Labour urged The education secretary has been urged to revive the Sure Start brand for family centres The Independent UK · Aug 1, 2025
The Guardian - UK · Aug 1, 2025 Labour urged to revive Sure Start label to win back Reform voters Commission says new Best Start project should be called Sure Start to rebuild trust in austerity damaged areas
The Conversation · Jul 10, 2025 England’s family hubs plan aims to build on Sure Start’s success – but may struggle to overcome today’s child poverty levels The government has announced its strategy for “giving every child the best start in life”, laying out proposals covering early years care, education and support in England.
The Guardian - UK · Jul 8, 2025 To those who question what Labour stands for – look at Best Start. It will change Britain’s future Sure Start was New Labour’s finest achievement, and the Tories destroyed it. Now it’s back with a mission to put children at the heart of everything, says Guardian columnist Polly Toynbee
The Guardian - UK · Jul 7, 2025 Labour vows to protect Sure Start-type system from any future Reform assault Exclusive: Education secretary says scheme will be so deeply embedded that no rightwing party can unpick it
The Guardian - UK · Jun 19, 2025 ‘He just told me lies to have sex with a teenage girl’: Natalie Fleet MP on grooming, statutory rape and fighting back At 15, she began seeing an older man and conceived her beloved daughter. It was years before she properly understood it as abuse. Now she is working tirelessly in parliament for other survivors
The Guardian - UK · Jun 2, 2025 The Guardian view on regenerating neighbourhoods: levelling up was a good idea, Labour should reclaim it Editorial: ‘Left-behind’ places have not had much attention since last year’s election. Now their champions are fighting back
The Guardian - UK · Jun 1, 2025 Momentum to revive Sure Start is long overdue – it’s been a lifeline for my son and me The early years service stayed open in my area as many others closed. A recommendation to restore it across England is long overdue, says Guardian columnist Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett
The Guardian - UK · May 30, 2025 Future of world-renowned children’s centre in hands of Reform UK Pen Green, a model for Labour’s Sure Start, could face closure if Reform-led North Northamptonshire council fails to act
The Guardian - UK · May 27, 2025 Delaying child poverty plan until autumn budget is ‘right call’, says Brown Delay has caused anxiety among MPs, but former PM says ministers need time to secure funding for flagship strategy
The Guardian - UK · May 27, 2025 By delaying its child poverty plan, Labour has a chance to reverse 15 years of inequality As a former chancellor, I know this challenge can only be met in a budget. But Starmer and Reeves must not waste their chance, says former UK prime minister Gordon Brown
The Guardian - UK · May 25, 2025 UK child poverty taskforce set to recommend return of Sure Start scheme Despite praise for Sure Start from some in the Labour party, there are also concerns that resuming the service would be difficult and costly