EB / News / Policy / Labour beats Conservatives in landslide victory
Labour beats Conservatives in landslide victory
EB News: 05/07/2024 - 10:22
The Labour Party have won the general election, with Kier Starmer to take the role of prime minister from Rishi Sunak.
This is the biggest loss the Conservatives have ever faced in their history.
Keir Starmer has pledged to “repair our public services” under a “mission of national renewal to start to rebuild our country."
Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders' union NAHT, said: “Today’s election result represents an important moment not just for the country, but also for schools and school leaders. A change of government means a fresh start and new opportunities.
“School leaders have been clear about the scale of the crisis facing education and the new government will have a range of pressing priorities as it assumes power. More than anything, I call on this new government to restore education as a national priority.
In NAHT's manifesto, he said the union “identified a range of crises" that any incoming government would need to address.
"These include the current state of SEND provision, the major challenges with recruitment and retention and the dilapidated state of school buildings," he said.
Whiteman added that there is also an urgent need to address the broken accountability system and an ongoing funding crisis.
Meanwhile, former education secretary Gillian Keegan has lost her seat in Parliament.
The Liberal Democrats defeated the Conservative politician in Chichester by 25,540 votes to Keegan’s 13,368.
Schools in England could face an annual shortfall of £310 million in covering the cost of free school meals unless urgent action is taken, according to a new report led by Northumbria University.
Spending on educational support for children with high needs has risen sharply in recent years, creating unsustainable financial pressure on both local authorities and central government, new analysis warns.
The Always Active Uniform is a flexible, comfortable school uniform including active footwear, designed to support spontaneous movement and daily activity throughout the school day.
The Welsh Government has agreed to continue a licensing deal which will give all learners at Welsh state schools free access to Microsoft 365 at school and at home.
Schools will play a greater role in ensuring every pupil has a clear post-16 destination, with a new approach to a guaranteed college or FE provider place available as a safety net being tested.