
I might not get uni Covid compensation – but I’m claiming it out of principle
Dozens of universities have received legal letters over what students say they missed out on during Covid.
TUESDAY, 31 MARCH 2026, 02:50

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Purdue says no ban on Chinese students exists, but reportedly rescinded dozens of offers after warnings from legislators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

Demand is rising at unsustainable rate and could cost £3.4bn by 2030-31, local authorities warn
Families who have children with special educational needs and disabilities (Send) should be means tested for school transport, according to councils in England, who say demand is rising “at an unsustainable rate”.
Local authorities are urging the government to be “radical” in its Send reforms,...

Official figures going back to 2018 are set to take billions in under-reported benefits income into account.

Sign-ups to Student Group Claim in England and Wales escalate amid reports of £21m payout by University College London
Tens of thousands more students who were at university during the pandemic have joined a group claim for compensation, amid reports of a £21m payout by one of the UK’s leading institutions.
Lawyers acting for student claimants said a further 30,000 from different universities...

The NAHT say the role of a school principal in Northern Ireland is “unsafe, unsustainable and professionally indefensible”.

Regulatory panel says teacher’s conduct fell “significantly short of the standards expected”.

Dozens of universities face legal action from students who say they missed out during the pandemic.

Scotland’s more generous benefits and public policies may have to be reconsidered, according to the Institute for Fiscal Studies.

A Bristol primary school has been learning how to create their own music using the free programme.

Emma Taylor-Erwin admitted driving to work while under the influence of alcohol in 2019.