Topics - EdCentral - Results from #180

Thousands of young people across Great Britain will benefit from access to expanded employment and wrap-around support services as the locations of almost 180 new Youth Hubs are confirmed this morning [15 June 2026].

On Tuesday, the Education Committee and Health and Social Care Committee will examine the government’s progress in improving mental health support in schools and colleges.

Steep fall in teacher pension payments ‘highly likely’

Employer contributions to the Teachers’ Pension Scheme are set to fall – after rising to nearly 29 per cent this year, minister says.

Enrichment benchmarks: no government commitment on funding for schools

The government’s long-awaited enrichment benchmarks for schools have finally been published, encompassing areas such as civic engagement, the arts, nature and sport.

Social media ban cautiously welcomed by school leaders

Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and X will all be inaccessible to under-16s under government plans, but messaging apps such as WhatsApp will be permitted.

New enrichment benchmarks: What schools need to know

Schools will be expected to provide broad and varied enrichment activities, celebrate participation and achievement and work with external partners where necessary as part of the new enrichment framework.

Farage: I’ll appoint political enforcers to stop schools promoting diversity

A Reform UK government would ban schools and colleges from engaging in diversity, equality and inclusion initiatives and appoint Whitehall enforcers to ensure compliance, the party has said.

Governor oversight of food standards ‘risks being counterproductive’

Making a lead governor oversee the implementation of new school food standards “feels haphazard” and “risks being counterproductive”, ministers have been warned.

College free meals rate lifted after backlash

College students will receive the same per-learner funding for their free meals entitlement as school pupils following backlash from further education leaders.

New enrichment benchmarks: What colleges need to know

Schools and colleges will be expected to provide broad and varied enrichment activities, celebrate participation and achievement and work with external partners where necessary as part of the new enrichment framework.

Farage: I’ll appoint political enforcers to stop colleges promoting diversity

A Reform UK government would ban schools and colleges from engaging in diversity, equality and inclusion initiatives and appoint Whitehall enforcers to ensure compliance, the party has said.

Apprenticeship subcontracting review launched by DWP

A “full review” of apprenticeship subcontracting rules and policy is set to run over the coming months, the government has said.

PeopleCert pursues former City & Guilds chiefs for £3m ‘unauthorised’ bonuses

PeopleCert is seeking to recover almost £3 million in bonuses paid to former City & Guilds chief executive Kirstie Donnelly and finance chief Abid Ismail after an internal investigation concluded the payments were “unauthorised”.

Prime Minister announces social media ban for under-16s

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has announced a social media ban for children aged under 16 which is expected to come into force next spring.

Sheffield Hallam drops plan to employ staff via subsidiary firm

University to keep employing academics directly after predictions that contribution rates to Teachers’ Pension Scheme will come down.

Specialist master’s ‘main victims’ of course-cutting spree

More than 300 social sciences programmes lost in past year, figures show, as critics bemoan decisions made on enrolment numbers alone.

Understanding where global higher education is heading means understanding China’s next moves

Glen Noble gets across what the Chinese government’s recent five-year plan means for international scientific collaboration and UK universities.

Welsh government says it has found £55m to boost childcare for two-year-olds

The Welsh government says it will spend an extra £55m this year to roll out childcare to more two-year-olds.

Thousands of children at risk in ‘dirty and dangerous’ illegal schools

There are warnings that thousands of children are being hidden away in suspected illegal or unregistered schools across England, labelled "breeding grounds for extremism", and receiving a substandard education.

Teens react to Starmer’s UK social media ban for under-16s: the ‘right thing’ but ‘unlikely to make much difference’

Young people have said banning under-16s from social media is “the right thing to do” but have shared worries about how effective the new laws will be.

Almost 180 more Youth Hubs to help young people build skills and find jobs

What challenges do schools and colleges face in providing mental health support for students? MPs investigate

Steep fall in teacher pension payments ‘highly likely’

Enrichment benchmarks: no government commitment on funding for schools

Social media ban cautiously welcomed by school leaders

New enrichment benchmarks: What schools need to know

Farage: I’ll appoint political enforcers to stop schools promoting diversity

Governor oversight of food standards ‘risks being counterproductive’

College free meals rate lifted after backlash

New enrichment benchmarks: What colleges need to know

Farage: I’ll appoint political enforcers to stop colleges promoting diversity

Apprenticeship subcontracting review launched by DWP

PeopleCert pursues former City & Guilds chiefs for £3m ‘unauthorised’ bonuses

Prime Minister announces social media ban for under-16s

Sheffield Hallam drops plan to employ staff via subsidiary firm

Specialist master’s ‘main victims’ of course-cutting spree

Understanding where global higher education is heading means understanding China’s next moves

Welsh government says it has found £55m to boost childcare for two-year-olds

Thousands of children at risk in ‘dirty and dangerous’ illegal schools

Teens react to Starmer’s UK social media ban for under-16s: the ‘right thing’ but ‘unlikely to make much difference’