Latest editorial
THE fining of families who take holidays in term time is one of the many government policies whose consequences, whether intended or unintended, damage the life chances of working class children.
The proportion of children entitled t free school means - the most common measure of economic deprivation used on schools - achieving 5+ A*-C at GCSE (including English and maths) is around 40 per cent, compared to around 65-70 per cent for their peers.
Our schools are continually blamed by politicians for this pattern of entrenched disadvantage and yet, with real terms budget cuts and the slashing of local authority support services, even the most dedicated teachers are powerless to combat the pervasive effects of poverty.
British military spending is among the highest in the world, diverts scarce resources from far better causes and fuels international conflict. It’s time we made different choices, argues LIZ PAYNE
PHILIP ENGLISH says military spending will not create the jobs young people need — instead, build an economy based around needs, not profit
MATT WRACK issues a clarion call for a rejuvenation of public services for the sake of our communities and our young people
Our housing crisis isn’t an accident – it’s class war, trapping millions in poverty while landlords and billionaires profit. To solve it, we need comprehensive transformation, not mere tokenistic reform, writes BECK ROBERTSON