Use Your Vote

All the manifestos in one place; if you’re one of the UK’s 13 million undecided voters, take a look at our Manifesto Search feature and #useyourvote: useyourvote.com

Michael Gove says paying consultants £7k a day is a ‘good use of money’. Whereas apparently helping low paid workers in Greater Manchester, stopping viable businesses from closing and ensuring kids don’t starve over school holidays, isn’t. This Government is a disgrace #Marr

16% of secondary pupils are now out of school - many of them without the space or tech for online learning. How can it be equitable for them to face exams alongside privileged pupils who haven't missed school? Read more about my ideas to 'level up' here: bbc.co.uk/news/education…

The show must go on, says new head of Ofqual - absolutely no way exams should be cancelled next summer. Impossible! With past and continuing educational disruption, the only fair way forward is teacher assessment predicated on completed course work - quality assured by Ofqual!

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Until we develop an education strategy that commits more cash & new thinking to working with children with the traumatic experiences that many disadvantaged students suffer, I believe that the attainment gap will never be closed. Read more here: bbc.com/news/education…

It's already clear that sitting GCSEs and A-levels next summer will only create another dimension of Covid inequality. So how do we create a fair 'Covid-proof' means of assessment for our students? Every student and teacher deserves a clear answer from Ofqual and Government now!

Another strong @BBCNews and @bbceducation piece from @seanjcoughlan on this summer’s grading crisis: @UKpolicywatch @useyourvote_uk

.@Ed_Miliband in the Commons just now, opposing the PM and his attempt to legislate to over-ride the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement, has given one of the most compelling speeches I have heard in a very long time. Tory MPs were looking extremely glum.

“No British minister should solemnly undertake to observe treaty obligations with his fingers crossed behind his back”. @BorisJohnson’s previous attorney general @Geoffrey_Cox is merciless in his contempt for the PM’s attempt to renege on the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement.

@SteveChalke Agreed: I’ve advocated exactly the same thing in my forthcoming book, Lessons From Lockdown: the educational legacy of COVID-19, published by @routledgebooks later this year; I submit the final manuscript on September 1st! @UKpolicywatch @BetterGovCom

Government say they “expect exams to take place next year” and are “working on their approach”. But, in order to avoid repeating the chaos, stress, strain and anxiety of 2020, every student and teacher deserves clarity about a ‘Covid-secure’ approach to the 2021 exams right now!

This autumn, let’s not forget the debt we owe to all those low paid but selfless key workers who’ve risked their lives on a daily basis through the lockdown; those we were so keen to applaud on a weekly basis back in the spring & early summer. A living wage for all! We owe them!

As a matter of logic, the A level and looming GCSE mess is either the fault of the Secretary of State or of the PM and his chief adviser. So who will take responsibility? @GavinWilliamson or @BorisJohnson and D Cummings? It is not as though this was a complex unforseeable problem

Private schools benefit most from A-level results scheme while pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds are worst hit by the ‘downgrading’ process used to award grades in England this year. If this doesn’t shine a light on prejudice and inequality what does?

Robin Cook was a great Labour MP, Foreign Secretary and humanitarian. Today, 15 years on from his death, we remember him.

Once upon a time... Slavery was legal Apartheid was legal Withholding the vote from women was legal The death penalty was legal The imprisonment of gay men was legal Beating a child was legal Paying a woman less than a man was legal. Never assume legality must equal morality.

Teachers will receive their largest pay rise in 15 years. We recognise the outstanding work #teachers do, and we want to attract the very best candidates into the profession. Read more: gov.uk/government/new…