The long-running series in which readers answer other readers’ questions on subjects ranging from trivial flights of fancy to profound scientific and philosophical concepts

• This week’s question: what would happen to the world if computer said yes?

I’ve always thought it would be good to acquire an old warehouse in every town throughout the land and convert it into low-rent community...

Education secretary suggests Labour’s priority is maintenance grants for poorer students rather than cutting interest

Kemi Badenoch has said the Conservatives would scrap the “unfair debt trap” of high interest rates on student loans, piling pressure on Labour ministers to tackle the growing outrage over the high costs.

The education secretary, Bridget Phillipson, admitted the system of plan...

Exclusive: NLT report says time for books is being crowded out by schoolwork, screens and sports

Fewer than one in 10 boys aged 14 to 16 read daily, according to research, which found reading for pleasure was being crowded out of teenage lives by schoolwork, screens and sports.

While reading declines for both boys and girls in early adolescence, there are “signs of recovery” among girls in...

Bridget Phillipson says government is ‘not taking away support’ as she prepares to announce changes

UK politics live – latest updates

Bridget Phillipson has pledged that under the government’s overhaul of the special educational needs system it will take weeks for children to get access to support, not months or years – as she prepares to announce the controversial changes.

Speaking before...

Kemi Badenoch says graduates feel ‘stitched up’ as she promises to cut Plan 2 loan interest charges.

The government plans to halve the attainment gap in England

Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of UK politics. The education secretary, Bridget Phillipson, will be speaking to the BBC and Sky News shortly and will likely be asked about government plans to halve the attainment gap between the poorest pupils in England and their more affluent peers.

The schools white paper, set to be...

Proponents say relaxed uniforms make life easier for children and are much more practical for physical play.

White paper proposes changing criteria under which schools get funding to support the most disadvantaged students

Plans to halve the attainment gap between the poorest pupils in England and their more affluent peers will be set out by the government on Monday.

The schools white paper will detail proposals to change the criteria under which schools receive funding to support the most...

Court lifted injunction on law requiring display of religious text in every public school classroom

A federal appeals court cleared the way on Friday for a controversial Louisiana law requiring poster-sized displays of the Ten Commandments in every public school classroom, allowing the state to enforce a law that was previously found to be unconstitutional.

The US fifth circuit court of appeals...

Dozens of universities have received legal letters over what students say they missed out on during Covid.

Some government plans for SEND were leaked earlier this week. But what else do families want to change?

Exclusive: David Blunkett and Estelle Morris among those calling plans a ‘once in a generation chance’ to fix system

Five former education secretaries have made a joint appeal to Labour MPs to back the overhaul of special education provision in English schools, calling it “a once in a generation chance” to fix a failing system.

The open letter is signed by David Blunkett, Estelle Morris,...

Purdue says no ban on Chinese students exists, but reportedly rescinded dozens of offers after warnings from legislators

Several universities have scrapped partnerships with Chinese institutions in recent months as a direct result of pressure from US legislators. But no university appears to have gone as far as Purdue University in Indiana.

Students and faculty at the public university say that...

A professional conduct panel says it found Jeremy Gibbs’ apology for his actions superficial.

Liz Hopkin says teachers are not security guards and giving them handheld scanners would not help.

Council spending on Special Educational Needs and Disabilities has soared in recent years.

Political correspondent Alexandra Topping and special educational needs student Jake with his mum, Laura, explore the government’s controversial plans for reform

Next week, the government is expected to announce its education white paper. It is a moment, as political correspondent Alexandra Topping explains, of high political peril.

Part of the proposals will be reforms to special educational...

Children to get individual support directly from school instead of via council in attempt to curb spiralling costs

Children in England with special needs will receive individual support and therapy directly from their schools as part of the government’s overhaul of England’s special education provision.

Under the plans, mainstream schools will be given commissioning budgets to spend on...

First cohort to be impacted by change – part of Send system overhaul – are currently in key stage 1, it is understood

Children with a legal right to special needs support will face a review when they move to secondary school, with the first cohort to be impacted currently in key stage 1, the Guardian understands.

A total overhaul of the special educational needs and disabilities (Send) system...

Leaks suggest plans for a complete redesign of special educational needs and disabilities support in schools.

Students say the night‑time walk between campus and the town centre feels unsafe, citing poor lighting and limited CCTV.