As schools return after the summer break, how is the Government changing education to benefit all young people?

Prime Minister Andy Burnham is determined to build parity between vocational and academic subjects, and to ensure that students have access to high-quality technical education routes that are valued and respected by future employers.

In July, the Prime Minister announced his plan to give year 10 pupils early access to technical skills, work experience and connections with local employers. The new technical routes, supported by additional funding from the Government, will mean young people can develop the technical knowledge and skills needed to progress in areas like engineering, healthcare and digital technology, providing them with the specific skills that local employers need. 

The Government has announced that it will also change the way school performance is measured, with inspectors set to recognise schools that provide high quality technical education and support young people to develop the skills employers need. These changes will support schools to expand high-quality technical pathways, rather than treating technical education as an optional add-on or a less valued alternative to academic study.

This Labour Government is committed to giving our young people the best possible start in life, and is also helping families with the cost of education, so that no child is held back by financial barriers. Free breakfast clubs now operate in 1,250 schools, serving more than 300,000 children; with an additional 2,000 schools expected to join by March 2027. The Government has also extended free school meals to a further 500,000 children and capped the number of branded uniform items a school can require, putting £500 a year back in the pockets of working parents, and lifting 100,000 children out of poverty.