The prime minister highlighted the necessity of stricter enforcement against waste-related offences during a visit to a site in western Yorkshire. As part of the new measures, the government has encouraged collaboration between the National Crime Agency (NCA) and the Environment Agency, aiming to increase pressure on organised crime. The two bodies will work together to gather intelligence on the networks behind more serious forms of crime, using the Proceeds of Crime Act to ensure that offenders bear the cost of the clean-up operations resulting from their actions.
In the sphere of education, the secretary of state for education, Bridget Phillips, stated that racism and sexism were being normalised by political trends, particularly on social media. She highlighted concerns regarding the growing normalisation of attitudes that condone violence against women and girls. In the same context, she noted that her reforms to special educational needs provision were designed to provide greater protection for parents, particularly in situations where they were dissatisfied with the services provided.
The department stated that it was open to reviewing its plans following a consultation, although final decisions had already been made. Parents had expressed concern that, under the new system, those who rejected an education, health and care plan (EHCP) might be granted the right to change schools, which could have wider implications for the system.
Meanwhile, Lucy Powell, the education secretary, highlighted that the gap in outcomes between boys and girls had narrowed to its lowest level in this century. Almost one in four children in England achieved top grades in mathematics, while results in English also improved. These figures indicate positive changes in the education system, although challenges remain regarding the social aspects of education.
