The Education Secretary has stated his ambition to bring schools with a history of long-term underperformance into multi-academy trusts.
In his speech to the Confederation of School Trusts annual conference, Gavin Williamson said the government’s vision is for the school system to continue to move towards a single model built on strong multi-academy trusts as its foundation, rather than the current ‘pick-and-mix system’ of local authority maintained and standalone academy schools.

A new law has been passed which will require schools to follow new statutory guidance on uniform costs, instructing them to keep prices down.
The cross-party support for the Bill recognised the costs parents face for school uniform, particularly for branded items, and the statutory guidance will tell schools to consider high street alternatives. It will also include measures on encouraging second-hand uniform, schools’ arrangements with suppliers, and ensuring parents have access to clear information about uniform policies.

Sport England has found that the first eight months of coronavirus restrictions has led to a worrying increase in the number of people who were inactive.

The High Court has dismissed a claim that would have allowed for the continuation of local authority remote meetings beyond 7 May.
The Association of Democratic Services Officers (ADSO), Lawyers in Local Government (LLG) and Hertfordshire County Council argued that councils could use existing powers to meet remotely beyond 6 May, after the government refused to extend emergency legislation allowing it to happen.

 A survey finds an overwhelming desire within the public sector to harness innovative technology that is hampered by lack of certainty over data residency. 

Legislation to make it clear who is responsible for fire safety in tower blocks is set to become law after MPs voted to defeat an amendment.
Four years after the Grenfell Tower fire, the new legislation modifies a previous law to clarify that building owners must manage and reduce the risk of fire in their properties. The Fire Safety Bill has gone through many rounds of votes as the House of Lords tried to ensure residents would not have to pay for required safety upgrades.

Liz Kendall has called on the government to make transforming social care an economic priority in the same way as fixing roads and railways.

The British Safety Council is urging the government to take the immediate opportunity to really show its ambition and commitment to clean air.
The organisation has said that the government has ignored calls by the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee to change its Environment Bill to protect outdoor workers from the dangers of air pollution. Since then, ministers have failed to agree to set more stringent targets for one of the most harmful pollutants known as particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) in line with the World Health Organisation's (WHO) standards.

The Department for Transport has announced that motorists could see self-driving vehicles on British roads for the first time later this year.

Labour has said that its plan for universal ‘catch-up’ breakfast clubs could provide a post-pandemic boost to millions of school children.