In a speech in Liverpool, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson insisted that smartphones have “no place in our schools” as she confirmed the sector has the government’s “full backing” in banning them. She also said more difficult decisions are coming for the education sector.
false,Friday 14 March 2025 11:24, UK
The education secretary turns next to “the failure of the system supporting children with special educational needs and disabilities”.
Bridget Phillipson tells schools leaders: “It’s not working how any of us would like, and children aren’t getting the support they need.”
She says these children, along with those from disadvantaged backgrounds, “have the most to gain from high and rising standards, and a class that caters to all is a strength”.
“Children thinking differently, in different ways, is a gift, and it’s time we recognise that.
“I’ve been told this is too hard, that it can’t be done. Of course it’s not easy, but it is possible. There are schools and trusts doing it already.”
Phillipson points to a school that has children with special educational needs in mainstream classes with extra support for them are seeing excellent results across the board.
“There is proof that the inclusion versus standards compromise is no such thing – they go together,” she says.
The education secretary says action is under way to accelerate work to implement her plans, but adds that it “will take time” and “we need to get this right”.
Phillipson closes her speech by saying: “I love visiting schools and colleges because it reminds me of what’s truly important, what really matters.
“It’s the children – their life chances, their hopes, their futures. That’s what we’re here to do, that’s who we are here to serve, that is the responsibility of your jobs and of mine.”
Bridget Phillipson insists that smartphones have “no place in our schools” as she confirms the sector has the government’s “full backing” in banning them.
She tells the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) annual conference in Liverpool: “You know that so much of the damage caused by smartphones and social media takes place outside the school gates.
“But you know, we all know, that phones are distracting, disruptive and bad for behaviour.
“They have no place in our schools, and the government’s position is clear – you have our full backing in ridding our classrooms of the disruption of phones.
“And I know that will be the case in the majority of your classrooms, but I expect it to be true in all classrooms.
Phillipson says she has tasked education officials with looking at “how we can effectively monitor what is happening on the ground, because this is not a government of gimmicks and rhetoric”.
“But a government that will make sure that where words flow, actions follow.”
She says: “If we don’t, it’s children that suffer.”
Turning to high levels of pupil absences, the minister says: “I expect schools to catch up – fast.
“I know that’s what schools want to do… the way that we turn that around is through collaboration… and old-fashioned graft.”
The education secretary goes on to tell school leaders that “together we need to go further so that every child gets the best education”.
“That’s at the centre of my vision – to break down barriers to opportunity for every child, and it has to be for every child,” Bridget Phillipson says, adding that it’s “never enough for just a lucky few children from deprived backgrounds to succeed.”
To give opportunities to every child, Phillipson says “high and rising standards” in all schools are needed, because “standards drive life chances”.
She praises teachers and schools leaders for the difference they make, and says the government is “working to get 6,500 more teachers across schools and colleges, to keep the great ones we’ve already got, and for all teachers to at least be progressing towards qualified teacher status”.
That is the first step, and the second is a “core curriculum in all schools” that “builds on the past but is fit for the future”.
But the education secretary goes on to say that for children to benefit, they need to be in the classroom, which means “tackling our absence crisis, supporting our children with special educational needs”.
Standards and accountability is the other element, and Phillipson concedes that the proposed changes to the Ofsted inspection regime are “challenging”, which is why consultations are under way.
Children are owed “that relentless pursuit of better”, she says.
Phillipson explains how the government is offering support to schools to raise standards with four key priorities.
Those are attainment, with a focus on English and maths, quality at the reception level so that children are ready for education, attendance at school, and inclusion.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson is addressing the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) annual conference in Liverpool today.
She begins by listing her promises for education, and how they are already in action. “Promises made, promises kept,” Phillipson says.
“We are getting on and delivering, that’s what families expect of a responsible government. Not more words – action that makes a genuine difference in their lives right now.”
However, Phillipson notes that Labour has had to make difficult decisions and “more are coming”.
She says: “I have to be blunt about our inheritance as a government.”
The minister asks the education sector to “step up again”, like they did five years ago when the COVID pandemic hit.
“Despite the challenges, I am hopeful, because I fundamentally believe that this country’s best days lie ahead of us.”
But, she says, the UK needs to go further so that “every child gets the best education”.
“That’s at the centre of my vision – to break down barriers to education for every child, and it has to be for every child.”
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson is on her feet in Liverpool, where she is addressing the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) annual conference.
She is expected to accuse some schools of “not making enough progress” on absences – as she calls for “old-fashioned graft”.
Some 3.6 million children missed 10 days or more of school last year and 1.6 million – more than one in 10 – missed a day every fortnight, according to the Department for Education.
We’ll bring you updates in the Politics Hub – or watch below:
Representatives of the UK’s steel industry will face questions from MPs next week – days after US President Donald Trump imposed a 25% levy on imports.
Those from Tata and British Steel will join a panel to be questioned by a committee on the potential impact of these tariffs and the future of the industry.
Liam Byrne, chair of the Business and Trade Committee, said: “These are the first shots in a trade war that helps no one.
“Our US exports just got £100m more expensive – and that’s going to hurt American customers – like American defence firms – who love our highly specialised steel and aluminium products.
“Ministers are right to reserve the right to retaliate but what’s really needed now is a drive to do the deal with President Trump to deepen not destroy trade – and to redouble defences for our domestic steel makers.
“That’s why we’ve asked the UK’s big steelmakers to come before the committee on Tuesday to tell us what they need.”
Paul Nowak, the general secretary of the TUC, said the UK’s economic recovery “will be a bumpy ride” amid faltering growth figures on Friday.
The UK economy shrank at the start of 2025, according to official figures which had been expected to show further meagre growth.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said that output declined by 0.1% during the month following the 0.4% growth seen in December.
Nowak said: “The government’s approach is taking us in the right direction.
“But there is still much more to do. Creating secure, decently paid jobs – the bedrock of a strong and resilient economy – will play a crucial role in reviving finances for families, and the country.”
He added: “These figures show the need for public investment.
“Investment in public services and infrastructure will bring our economy back on track.
“Stronger growth is the best way to secure sustainable public finances.”
NHS England was established in 2013 by former Tory health secretary Andrew Lansley to give the NHS greater independence and autonomy – intending for it to operate at arm’s length from the government.
It’s responsible for delivering high-quality care, supporting staff, and ensuring value for money.
Its website states it has a “wide range of statutory functions, responsibilities and regulatory powers”, which include working with the government to agree funding and priorities for the NHS and overseeing the delivery of safe and effective services.
NHS England employs about 13,000 people.
Why has it been scrapped?
The prime minister said abolishing the body will bring management of the NHS “back into democratic control”.
This move will put the NHS “back at the heart of government where it belongs,” he said during a speech in east Yorkshire on Thursday, “freeing it to focus on patients, less bureaucracy, with more money for nurses”.
He added that the NHS will “refocus” on cutting waiting times at “your hospital”.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting said: “This is the final nail in the coffin of the disastrous 2012 reorganisation, which led to the longest waiting times, lowest patient satisfaction, and most expensive NHS in history.
“When money is so tight, we can’t justify such a complex bureaucracy with two organisations doing the same jobs. We need more doers, and fewer checkers, which is why I’m devolving resources and responsibilities to the NHS frontline.”
What will happen now?
NHS England will be brought back into the Department of Health and Social Care.
The department said the reforms would reverse the 2012 reorganisation of the NHS “which created burdensome layers of bureaucracy without any clear lines of accountability”.
Board members stepped down days before
In the days before Starmer’s announcement, NHS England said three leading board members were stepping down at the end of the month.
Chief financial officer Julian Kelly, NHS chief operating officer Emily Lawson and chief delivery officer and national director for vaccination and screening Steve Russell will leave their roles in the coming weeks.
At the time, NHS chief executive Amanda Pritchard – who is also stepping down – said the board members made their decision based on the upcoming changes to the size and function of the centre.
By Connor Gillies, Scotland correspondent
The last thing I was expecting to discover on the doorstep of a Falkirk house was a 70-year-old woman crying at the near 16% council tax rise she and tens of thousands of others face next month.
Falkirk is bracing for the UK’s biggest hike in bills as the local authority faces a crisis of costs.
One councillor responsible for the increases has called in the police after receiving beheading taunts and threats of violence.
The area is facing its most difficult period in its 30-year history, while residents feel fragile and fobbed off.
Councils oversee the running of schools and social care, maintaining roads and collecting bins. They take charge of housing, swimming pools and libraries. The list is endless.
But Britain’s local authorities are cash-strapped and there are questions about how they should be funded in the long term.
Sky News went inside one Falkirk street to get a snapshot of the mood – and it was bleak.
Now joining Sky News Breakfast is shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick.
Asked about the 0.1% fall in GDP in January, the Conservative MP says this is “very concerning” – but “not unexpected”.
He adds: “This is the result of the decisions that were taken by the chancellor and her disastrous budget last year, where she hiked taxes, particularly on businesses.
“That has led to growth falling confidence across business, particularly in manufacturing collapsing and further harm to the economy.
“And just 12 days time, we’re going to have this emergency budget, which Rachel Reeves said she’d never have to do, just coming back to parliament to cut public spending and potentially to increase taxes.
“This is all the result of the bad decisions that she made last year.”
Reeves is due to deliver her Spring Statement on 26 March.
Rather than act as a second budget, this will give an update on her plans for the UK economy.
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