Latest news with #TheLabourParty
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
750 schools roll out free breakfast clubs from today saving parents £450 a year
As children return from the Easter holidays today (April 22), 750 schools in England will open new free breakfast clubs, providing 30 minutes of morning childcare. The new clubs which launched on Tuesday, are part of a trial that will run until July ahead of an expected national roll out promised in last year's Labour manifesto. In total, it's thought the programme will help parents get up to 95 hours back a year and save them £450 annually, if their child attends every day. The movement also means parents will no longer be 'hamstrung by rigid school hours', the Prime Minister has said. This Labour government's free breakfast clubs will ensure children are fuelled up and ready to learn, all while saving parents up to £450. With our Plan for Change, children will enjoy the best start in life. — The Labour Party (@UKLabour) April 20, 2025 Sir Keir Starmer explained: 'The rollout of free breakfast clubs is a truly game-changing moment for families in this country. 'They mean parents will no longer be hamstrung by rigid school hours and have the breathing space they need to beat the morning rush, attend work meetings and doctors' appointments, or run errands. And crucially, it means better life chances for children. 'By making these clubs free and universal, we're doing something that previous governments have never done. 'We're going further and faster to deliver the change working families deserve. That's the change this government was elected to deliver.' The government has said the 750 free breakfast clubs are a 'key tool' to tackle barriers to learning in schools, with 500,000 primary school pupils missing at least one day of school every fortnight last year, one in every three pupils not ready to start school at age five and one in every 50 pupils suspended at least once. But teaching unions have warned that the money provided by the government will not be enough to cover the cost of expanding breakfast clubs. Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers, said 'initial feedback' from schools was that the funding 'just isn't sufficient'. The government has previously insisted the funding will be enough to deliver the programme. Starting after the Easter break: free breakfast clubs in 750 primary schools across England. That's 30 minutes of free childcare before school, saving families up to £450 a year. We're delivering on our Plan for Change and putting more money back in parents' pockets. — UK Prime Minister (@10DowningStreet) April 20, 2025 Ministers have also claimed that the provision of 30 hours of free childcare per week from September, up from 15 hours a week, will save parents up to another £7,500 a year. But early years groups have warned that financial pressures will mean some childcare providers will be forced to limit the number of government-funded places on offer or close entirely. Recommended reading: Teachers are being 'punched, kicked, shoved or spat at' by pupils, survey says Keir Starmer orders change to pub opening hours ahead of VE Day celebrations Teacher wins six-figure settlement after being hit by car outside school Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said: 'Free breakfast clubs are at the heart of our Plan for Change, making working parents' lives easier and more affordable, while breaking down barriers to opportunity for every child. 'From Tyneside to Truro, England is one of the first countries in Europe to open universal free breakfast clubs, saving parents up to £450 per year and making sure every child starts school ready to learn. 'This government is delivering on our promises to working parents, rolling out free breakfast clubs, school-based nurseries, and giving every child across the country the best start in life.'
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Downing Street hosts first St Patrick's Day reception
The first reception to mark St Patrick's Day has been held at Downing Street. It comes amid a thaw in relations between the UK and Irish governments. Earlier this month at a joint summit, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the administrations had "turned a page on the turbulent years" of Brexit, which strained relations with Dublin. Speaking at Wednesday's event he said that Northern Ireland was a place which was close to his heart and the Good Friday Agreement was the greatest achievement of The Labour Party in his lifetime. Guests included TV presenter Dermot O'Leary, Olympic medallists Daniel Wiffen and Hannah Scott, Derry Girls creator Lisa McGee and RuPaul's Drag Race UK star Blu Hydrangea. Dancers from Portstewart-based Innova Irish dance company performed for guests arriving at Downing Street. The prime minister addressed those attending the event saying that it was a "chance to celebrate the incredible ties that bind us all together". Referring to the recent inaugural UK-Ireland Summit, the prime minister mentioned the event was "a real opportunity to make good on the reset of relations between the UK and Ireland with a real determination to take them forward with massive ambition. "We had a really good two-day Summit where we got through everything we had on our agenda, and we added further things to the agenda that we could agree on." Reminiscing on his past work in Northern Ireland, the prime minister said he had "personal connections to Northern Ireland". "I worked over there for five years, working with the Police Service of Northern Ireland on some of the Belfast Good Friday Agreement changes," he told the crowd. "Because I love Northern Ireland so much, soon after my wife Vic and I got married we flew over to Belfast, hired a car and drove around the entire island of Ireland. "From Belfast, all the way around and then back out of Dublin for about three weeks. But we saw everything, but it was really, really fantastic to see, and a real big part of my life," he added. He also said he often wears his Donegal top when playing football which he got on his honeymoon but added that the taoiseach had given him an "upgraded" version . Speaking about the Good Friday Agreement, he quoted Queen Elizabeth II's words about "the ordinary people who yearned for the peace and understanding we now have between our two nations and between the communities". He said it was "worth remembering those words" and said it had been "an incredible piece of history that we have been living through". Keir Starmer arrives in NI on first visit as prime minister Starmer says meetings with NI parties a reset In Pictures: St Patrick's Day celebrations
BBC News
19-03-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Downing Street: Dermot O'Leary and Derry Girls creator amongst St Patrick's day guests
The first reception to mark St Patrick's Day has been held at Downing comes amid a thaw in relations between the UK and Irish this month at a joint summit, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the administrations had "turned a page on the turbulent years" of Brexit, which strained relations with at Wednesday's event he said that Northern Ireland was a place which was close to his heart and the Good Friday Agreement was the greatest achievement of The Labour Party in his lifetime. Guests included TV presenter Dermot O'Leary, Olympic medallists Daniel Wiffen and Hannah Scott, Derry Girls creator Lisa McGee and RuPaul's Drag Race UK star Blu from Portstewart-based Innova Irish dance company performed for guests arriving to Downing Street. The prime minister addressed those attending the event saying that it was a "chance to celebrate the incredible ties that bind us all together".Sir Keir said it was his intention to make the St Patrick's day event an annual occurrence. Referring to the recent inaugural UK-Ireland Summit, the prime minister mentioned the event was "a real opportunity to make good on the reset of relations between the UK and Ireland with a real determination to take them forward with massive ambition."We had a really good two-day Summit where we got through everything we had on our agenda, and we added further things to the agenda that we could agree on." Reminiscing on his past work in Northern Ireland, the prime minister said he had "personal connections to Northern Ireland"."I worked over there for five years, working with the Police Service of Northern Ireland on some of the Belfast Good Friday Agreement changes," he told the crowd. "Because I love Northern Ireland so much, soon after my wife Vic and I got married we flew over to Belfast, hired a car and drove around the entire island of Ireland."From Belfast, all the way around and then back out of Dublin for about three weeks. But we saw everything, but it was really, really fantastic to see, and a real big part of my life," he added. He also said he often wears his Donegal top when playing football which he got on his honeymoon but added that the taoiseach had given him an "upgraded" version .Speaking about the Good Friday Agreement, he quoted Queen Elizabeth II's words about "the ordinary people who yearned for the peace and understanding we now have between our two nations and between the communities".He said it was "worth remembering those words" and said it had been "an incredible piece of history that we have been living through".
Yahoo
08-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Minister pledges ‘best start' for young women on International Women's Day
Women should 'not be held back at work' by caring responsibilities or 'insecurity' around maternity, the equalities minister has said, as the Government has marked International Women's Day (IWD). Bridget Phillipson also said that she is 'determined' to make sure that all young women have 'the best start in life' regardless of their background. Labour has said the Government is working to close the gender pay gap and championing women's rights, as it marked the annual day. Today, on International Women's Day, we celebrate the incredible achievements of women in Britain and around the world. This Labour government is committed to closing the gender pay gap, improving workplace protections, championing women's rights and breaking down barriers. — The Labour Party (@UKLabour) March 8, 2025 A statement from Ms Phillipson, who serves as Education Secretary and minister for women and equalities read: 'This International Women's Day, I want every woman and girl to know that this is a government of change. 'I am determined to make sure every young woman, no matter her income, class, or background, has the best start in life and opportunity to succeed. 'Women should not be held back at work by the caring responsibilities that disproportionately affect them, or insecurity after pregnancy or maternity. 'That's why we're tackling the gender pay gap with better protections at work and more free childcare, to get more money in women's pockets and drive up household income.' Chancellor Rachel Reeves has also marked IWD, and said that the Government will 'redouble' efforts to open up opportunities for women. Ms Reeves said: 'International Women's Day is an opportunity to celebrate how far we've come, but also as a Government, and for me personally, as the first ever female Chancellor of the Exchequer, to redouble our efforts to ensure that we have opportunities for women.' She added that ministers are 'going further and faster on childcare and breakfast clubs to help parents, but particularly women, balance work and family life'. It comes as Labour grandee Baroness Harriet Harman has been made the new UK special envoy for women and girls. The Foreign Secretary has appointed @HarrietHarman as Special Envoy for Women and Girls to champion gender equality worldwide and help deliver global economic growth. #InternationalWomensDay2025 #AccelerateAction #IWD2025 — Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (@FCDOGovUK) March 8, 2025 The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said that the former minister will 'co-ordinate efforts across the globe' to push for the protection of rights over reproductive health, access to education and freedom from gender-based violence. However charity ActionAid said the appointment 'risks being more symbol than substance' without funding to 'back it up'.
Telegraph
21-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Move over Apprentice bodycon – this is what soft power dressing looks like now (and it's British)
You may not know Edeline Lee's name – yet – but you'll recognise some of the many women who wear her clothes. Christy Turlington, the Princess of Wales, Amy Adams and Gillian Anderson are just the headline names. Alicia Vikander used to trek to Edeline's big old Victorian East End studio when she lived in London and hadn't yet signed a lucrative contract to wear Louis Vuitton. Although tomorrow's show at the Dorchester Hotel is tiny compared with her first one last September – just 50 guests – the Lee army is swelling in size, especially after last season's splash. That was the one at which a certain Lady Starmer appeared in the front row in an Edeline Lee polka-dot two piece The Labour Party was already in the midst of clothes-gate and accusations that the Starmers, Rachel Reeves and Angela Rayner had all accepted thousands of pounds of free clothes in donations from Lord Alli. Starmer had been wearing Lee for several years to key public events, but the timing meant this outfit blew up for the Starmers, although it was a blessing, albeit arguably a mixed one, for Lee. The pictures appeared everywhere. The thing is, there are plenty of other women apart from Victoria Starmer, who rely on Lee to make them look and feel polished. As well as being interesting individually, they're notably eclectic. From city financiers (Dame Helena Morrissey, the Tory peer) to academics (Mary Beard) art world (Melanie Clore and Manuela Wirth), culture writers (Nancy Durrant) actresses (Hayley Atwell, Sandra Oh, Olivia Williams and Saskia Reeves from Slow Horses) ceramicists (Deborah Brett) restaurant critics (Grace Dent), lawyers (Baroness Fiona Shackleton). Even some of the Silicone Valley female tribe wear her. 'The men may be in fleeces there, but the women like to show up,' says Lee. Glamorous and gravitas are no longer mutually exclusive and Lee taps directly into that intersection. Part of her wide appeal is that she's extremely pernickety about fit and cut. It takes a lot of blood and sweat to reduce clothes to this degree of simplicity.'Truth to tell, I think it's harder than doing complicated,' she says. Whether it's the 'Pedernal' dress that's been in every one of her collections since 2018 (named for the mountain in New Mexico that obsessed Georgia O'Keefe and which the artist painted over and over again) or the inverted pleated 'Plait' skirt that the Princess of Wales has worn repeatedly, Lee's clothes help women to feel subtly powerful without resorting to the cliches of ultra high heels or restrictive silhouettes. The Pedernal is rapidly becoming a symbol of soft power – just as Roland Mouret's Galaxy dress came to represent sexy power in 2006. I scoot one over my shoulders when I visit her studio in Limehouse in East London to do this interview three weeks before her latest show. It wasn't meant to be a shopping trip and dresses are not what I'm instinctively drawn to. But it would be remiss not to thoroughly investigate. Lee always exhorts visitors to try on as much as possible, taking copious notes, in her white lab technician's coat, of the way her clothes fit a multitude of shapes and sizes. She's the antithesis of a designer who only wants to dress size 4 women. The Pedernal is gorgeous on and strikingly lightweight (one of her trademarks is a sort of bubble textured jacquard that comes in different colours each season) and has none of the constricting stretch of those early and mid-Noughties power clothes. So far so good, although I'm self-conscious about my thighs and, sad but true, have been since I was about 12. 'So is absolutely every woman I've ever talked to,' says Lee. 'When it comes down to it, whatever field we're working in, women have very similar issues and needs. We need to be visible and upfront, and we don't necessarily want to be showy, or reveal lots of flesh.' She spends months perfecting her silhouettes and fabrics, repeatedly returning to a design, like O'Keefe and her Pedernal paintings – so that women can accessorise them with classic courts or trainers. Impressively, everything, apart from her newly launched shoe line which is manufactured in Italy, is made and dyed in London, here, where her studio and home is (she lives above the shop), which means she can constantly tweak, quality check, and make more or less to order, resulting in little to zero waste. Designs are not discarded after one season. The Pedernal first found life in 2018. 'I never want women to feel they can't wear something they bought three years ago because it's out of date. I don't think these clothes will because they're based on ideas about proportion and lines and that never looks old. The idea is that you find your favourites and add one or two new bits now and then'. Eventually, women get to know the clothes so well they buy multiples of the same thing and wear them as they would jeans or T-shirts. 'Some of my best clients I don't even see any more. They just email me their orders'. That includes women in Palm Beach who normally wear Carolina Herrera of Oscar de la Renta (this is Melania Land) but who love Edeline Lee because of how well it packs. Effectively as the Pedernal slims and curves, it's the Plait trousers I want, want, want. As well as being elegant and elongating, they're different enough from every other pair to be striking but not outlandish. You could team them with a cotton shirt or one of her eye-catching tops for a sleek head-to-toe look. I can see how women get hooked on her clothes. They're so carefully thought out, from the lengths (there are four) and all the other measurements that spark off them. She can give anyone a waist – and more importantly, the confidence to show it. We trot upstairs to her flat to escape the bustle of the workrooms downstairs where they're working round the clock in shifts to get everything ready in time for the show, as well as the orders that go out to Harrods and various stores around the world (she recently launched a children's line) . The first thing I notice in her sitting room is that all the books on her shelves are laid horizontally with their spines to the wall. I'm intrigued. How on earth does she find what she wants to read? 'They're all listed according to country of origin,' she explains. This is Alice in Wonderland logic. Country of author, or of subject matter? And how does she remember? 'I just do,' she says. 'When I was studying at college and we lived in dorms, people would constantly be judging what was on your shelves'. That would have been when she was at McGill in her native Canada. Lee was a bookworm and highly academic. 'My parents were classic Korean immigrants who really didn't think fashion was an appropriate career for their daughter,' she laughs. Her father, who worked in property, struck a deal with his daughter. If she could secure a place to study law, he'd back her in fashion. But to get on a law course in Canada, you have to study another subject first. So she read sociology and Asian studies: a four year course which she completed in three, spending her spare time making costumes for university drama productions. Studies done, law course assured, she beelined for Central St Martins in London, interning at Dior and Alexander McQueen before dropping out for a paid job in New York for Zac Posen (now busy resurrecting Gap and Old Navy). 'My tutors told me I'd regret not completing the course, and in the end, I did'. She returned to London to finish it, married, had a son (now 16) and set up a business almost without intending to. 'It was all word of mouth to begin with. I'd make a dress, then use that money to make another. The first designs were definitely a labour of love' she laughs. 'I think they each had 20 metres of silk'. She learnt to be more practical, cut her own patterns out of necessity and absorbed all kinds of tricks to ensure her clothes became as hard-working as she was. The 'Telluride' skirt, another favourite in her collections, comes with contrasting buttons to make it easier to mix and match it with a contrast colour. White-edged, buckled belts with visible metal work are another signature. 'It's graphic and fresh and provides two focal points to match accessories to,' she explains. For years she didn't do shows, preferring to make experimental videos and drop-in events. One featured models in black versions of the collection introducing 'real' women in coloured replicas, demonstrating how different the same design looks in different shades. We thought people would pop by for ten minutes but a lot stayed for the whole two hours'. She gets a huge buzz from dressing three generations of the same family, seeing the different ways women style her clothes, from edgy to classic. The business is growing, but this is not an easy time to be selling clothes. 'Sometimes it seems you're battling on all fronts, ' she says. She deserves to flourish. A quiet original, she provides something useful and deceptively simple that's very hard to do. In an era when women's clothes are often oversized and masculine, or cartoonishly vampy, she delivers a female take on female curves. 'I think we can be completely comfortable in what we wear while celebrating our femininity, ' she says, ' that is a superpower'
