Across Europe, education has become one of the biggest dividing lines in politics, and educational qualifications are now one of the best predictors of vote choice in Britain. This is particularly the case for new parties that compete more on cultural issues, including Reform and the Greens, who attract voters from different ends of the educational spectrum.

In the most recent UK general election in July 2024, 18% of voters with no formal qualifications voted for Reform – two and half times as many as among those with a degree. On the flip side, degree-holders were three times as likely to vote for the Green party than those without qualifications.

Our study shows that the link between education and politics starts far earlier than degree level, however. We’ve found that what you study at school affects your political choices both in adolescence and adulthood.

We looked at the political views of young people aged ten to 18, and then followed them into their 20s. Young people who were studying humanities subjects in school, namely history and art, became more likely to support more socially liberal parties.

Those studying a technical GCSE subject, such as design and technology, became more supportive of more radical right parties. Given that we see this pattern before students leave school, it can’t only be explained by socialisation in the workplace, which makes us think that at least part of the association emerges in school.

Taking a GCSE in business studies meanwhile meant that someone became more economically rightwing in their vote intention. When they were 16 and had finished their GCSE in business studies, these young people were two percentage points more likely to say they’d vote for the Conservatives than when they’d started at age 14. This might seem small, but small differences add up over the course of a person’s life.

People develop their political orientations during adolescence, so parental socialisation of course matters a great deal. But much of those formative years is also spent in the classroom. And a student of history encounters different ideas and develops different skills to one studying physics – even if they both eventually end up with the same number of GCSEs or A-levels, or a university degree.

For instance, a physics class might focus on the scientific marvel of splitting the atom and nuclear power, whilst a history student would consider the catastrophic effects of these weapons in the second world war. As a result, the history student and the physics student might emerge from their studies with different perspectives on the world, which might ultimately lead them to support different parties.

It’s unlikely that these findings relate to teachers indoctrinating students into supporting particular parties or ideologies. It’s more likely that certain subjects that focus on different human experiences – such as history or art – might lead students to recognise the importance of a variety of perspectives, and so be more favourable towards socially liberal parties. Likewise, studying economics might incline a young person to support a party that champions free markets.

Alternatively, it could be explained by the differing peer groups across these subjects, whereby the attitudes held when students select into these subject are mutually reinforced.

We also found that the differences we identified persisted in early adulthood, long after school had finished. Adults who had taken drama, music, art or history were more likely to vote for socially liberal parties such as the Greens or Liberal Democrats.

Some of these differences were very large in adulthood, even when we adjusted for other factors that might explain them, like overall educational attainment and income. For example, an adult who had taken an A-level in economics or business studies was 14 percentage points more likely to support the Conservative Party and six points less likely to support Labour than someone who had not.

It’s also notable that students who took any of history, geography, foreign languages or religious studies were more engaged in politics. They were more likely to name a party they would vote for, rather than saying they wouldn’t vote.

Our findings may add a different angle to debates about curriculum reform. Recent governments have favoured increasing participation in STEM subjects, often to the detriment of subjects like the creative arts and languages. Our study suggests that this might in turn have consequences for young people’s politics.

Either way, our results show that what you learn in school is likely to shape your world view beyond the classroom.

Overnight, RMG Living said it received a generic communication referring to the placement of a suspicious package.

Bosses say that they believe it was a “mischievous message” but told residents to report anything suspicious to the police.

In a message to residents, the company said: “Overnight we received a generic communication referring to the possible placement of a suspicious package, which was not specific to your development.

“If you see anything suspicious, please report it to the police.”

RMG manage numerous properties across the North West, including Greenmount Court in Heaton.

The former officer is due to face the hearing later this month

A former Cambridgeshire Police officer has been accused of sending messages that “implicated him in class A drug use”. Former PC Kyle Carter-Lawrence is due to face a misconduct hearing on Thursday, March 26.

Mr Carter-Lawrence is facing a total of seven allegations made against him. This includes sending “inappropriate messages” to WhatsApp groups and using “language which failed to treat people with respect and courtesy”.

Three of the allegations relate to a Whatsapp group which Mr Carter-Lawrence was a member of between June 10, 2016 and March 24, 2024. it is alleged that he sent inappropriate messages to the group, used language which failed to treat people with respect and courtesy, and used discriminatory language.

Mr Carter-Lawrance is also alleged to have sent messages that implicated him in class A drug use. He was present when inappropriate and drug-related messages were sent by others. He’s also alleged to have sent similar messages on a 1-2-1 chat with another police officer.

Allegation 4 alleges that Mr Carter-Lawrance “failed to report or challenge the conduct of the fellow officer in the Whatsapp group”. Allegation 5 is that he made “inaccurate declarations in his police recruitment vetting paperwork and failed to correct these once serving as a police officer.

Allegation 6 states that he failed to “declare his association with people whom he had grounds to suspect were involved in crime, were conducting themselves inappropriately or who had potential to damage the reputation of the police service.”

The final allegation Mr Carter-Lawrance faces is that he shared police data without policing purpose and not in the court of his duties.

The hearing is set to take place at 2pm at Lysander House, in Tempsford.

Arsenal are looking to pile the pressure on Premier League title rivals Manchester City with a win at home against Everton on Saturday evening.

The Gunners have won three in a row in the league and now sit seven points clear at the top of the table after Pep Guardiola’s side dropped points to Nottingham Forest last time out.

And Mikel Arteta’s side can now move temporarily ten points clear at the top ahead of City’s clash with West Ham later on Saturday.

But they face a potentially awkward opponent in Everton, who have the fourth-best record away from home in the league this season and sit just five points off the Champions League places.

Metro’s LIVE matchday blog will bring you all the build-up, confirmed team news and starting XIs, goal updates and minute-by-minute coverage 

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The Green MP said witnessing PMQs in person made her feel the culture of Westminster needs to change

New Green MP Hannah Spencer has branded Prime Minister’s Questions a ‘pantomime’ after her first two weeks in Westminster. The Gorton and Denton representative said the ‘facade’ and ‘theatrics’ of the weekly debates are ‘worse than I was expecting’.

The MP criticised what she described as politicians trading ‘pre-prepared insults’ during the Commons session. She said the spectacle risks wasting politicians’ time that Ms Spencer argues should be focused on improving people’s lives.

PMQs is a 30-minute weekly session in the House of Commons where the Prime Minister answers questions from MPs. While designed to hold the government to account, it is often characterised by loud exchanges and jeering during debate.

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Ms Spencer made the comments during an interview with the Manchester Evening News on Friday (March 13) as the new MP was visiting a community food club in Gorton run by The Bread and Butter Thing.

Reflecting on her first fortnight in Parliament, she said one of the biggest surprises had been witnessing the weekly Commons clash in person. Ms Spencer said she had expected the confrontational atmosphere but found it more ‘theatrical’ than she anticipated.

“A lot of us see Prime Minister’s Questions and the pantomime of it all,” she said. “That’s why people are so fed up, because it’s just the worst use of anyone’s time to listen to people come up with pre-prepared insults.”

“Even though I knew what it was going to be like, I think it’s actually worse than I was expecting,” she added. “That whole facade that people put on, this theatre of playing a certain way.”

Ms Spencer said MPs should focus on the reason they were elected to Parliament, adding that the Commons should be a place where politicians work together to improve people’s lives.

“That’s not what we’re there for,” she said. “We’re there because people have elected us to do the things that we told them.”

The Green MP said witnessing PMQs and speeches in the Commons in person made her feel the culture of Westminster needs to change.

“When I saw it with my eyes, I was like, this has got to change,” she said. “Some of the daft stuff like that, that I think people are clearly fed up with.”

Spencer argued that politicians could challenge each other’s policies without resorting to personal attacks. She said debates should focus on holding governments to account rather than trading insults.

“You can challenge each other’s policies…without that,” she said. “It’s really hard to describe, because I wish everyone could go in and see that.”

The MP said she believes the political system is already beginning to shift following her recent by-election win.

“I do think now politicians are going to have to start changing how they do things to become in line with how the rest of us live,” she added.

In what appeared to be an appeal to the UK and other nations, the US leader added: “Hopefully China, France, Japan, South Korea, the UK, and others, that are affected by this artificial constraint will send ships to the area so that the Hormuz Strait will no longer be a threat by a nation that has been totally decapitated.

KAPIKOY BORDER CROSSING, Turkey (AP) — After bombs exploded near her home in the eastern Iranian city of Golestan, hairdresser Merve Pourkaz decided to leave.

Pourkaz, 32, said she traveled nearly 1,500 kilometers (932 miles) to an alpine border crossing in the hopes of reaching the safety of the nearby Turkish city of Van.

“If they let me, I will stay in Van until the war ends,” she told The Associated Press recently while waiting at the crossing. “If the war doesn’t end, maybe I’ll go back and die.”

Pourkaz is one of the 3.2 million people in Iran who the U.N. refugee agency estimates have been displaced since the U.S.-Israel war with Iran started. While some are seeking shelter in safer parts of Iran or one of its neighboring countries, others are returning from abroad, heading toward the fighting to protect their families and homes.

So far, relatively few people have chosen to leave: The U.N. estimates that only about 1,300 Iranians have fled via Turkey each day since the war started, and on some days, more people return to Iran than depart. But Iran’s neighbors and Europe are growing increasingly concerned about a possible migration crisis should the war drag on and are making contingency plans.

As Pourkaz was entering Turkey, Leila Rabetnezhadfard was headed the other way.

Rabetnezhadfard, 45, was in Istanbul preparing to marry a German university professor when the fighting started. She postponed the ceremony and left for home in Shiraz, in southern Iran.

“How can I feel safe in Istanbul when my family is living in Iran during the war?” said Rabetnezhadfard, explaining that bringing her family to Istanbul wasn’t an option because her apartment is small, her brother needs medical care, and life there is expensive.

“I will not leave Iran until the war ends,” she said.

Fleeing the fighting

The U.N. has warned that continued fighting will likely push more Iranians to flee their homes.

As in the 12-day conflict last year, many Iranians are now sheltering in place, without money to flee or perhaps because of U.S. President Donald Trump’s Feb. 28 warning.

“Stay sheltered. Don’t leave your home. It’s very dangerous outside. Bombs will be dropping everywhere,” he said.

Although large numbers of Iranians haven’t fled the country yet, people have been leaving major cities for the relative safety of the countryside bordering the Caspian Sea north of the capital, Tehran, according to the International Organization for Migration.

“Movement out of Iran appears limited mainly because people are prioritizing staying with their families, as well as the safety of their families and property, and due to security conditions and logistical constraints,” said Salvador Gutierrez, chief of the IOM’s mission in Iran.

If Iran’s critical infrastructure is destroyed, that could lead to waves of people trying to cross into one of Iran’s neighbors: Pakistan, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Turkey and Iraq.

“If Tehran, a city of 10 million people, doesn’t have water, they’re going to go somewhere,” said Alex Vatanka, a fellow at the Middle East Institute in Washington.

Iran is already grappling with one of the world’s largest refugee populations: roughly 2.5 million forcibly displaced people mostly from Afghanistan and Iraq.

Neighbors brace for impact

If the crisis deepens, aid groups say the most likely destinations for refugees are Iran’s borders with Iraq and Turkey, which stretch roughly 2,200 kilometers (1,367 miles) through rough alpine terrain that is home to many Kurdish communities and are difficult to police.

Turkey had a so-called open-door policy that allowed millions of Syrian refugees to enter the country during their country’s long civil war. But it has abandoned that approach for various reasons.

Instead, it has prepared plans to shelter Iranian refugees in “buffer zones” along the border, or in tent cities or temporary housing inside Turkey, the country’s Hurriyet newspaper quoted Turkish Interior Minister Mustafa Ciftci as saying.

Iranians who have fled the war will likely not seek refugee status in Turkey because asylum claims might take years to process, if at all, said Sara Karakoyun, an aid worker at the independent Human Resource Development Foundation based near the border.

“They don’t want to wait in limbo for years for a refugee status they might not get,” she said.

Turkey’s defense ministry said in January that Turkey had hardened its border with Iran by adding 380 kilometers of concrete walls, 203 optical towers and 43 observation posts.

Turkey will likely send troops to secure its border and tightly control the flow of people into the country while seeking European Union funds to help deal with refugees, said Riccardo Gasco, an analyst at the IstanPol Institute.

Europe taps network to prepare for the worst

The relationship between the EU and Turkey was redefined by the Syrian refugee crisis a decade ago. Nearly two-thirds of the 4.5 million Syrians fleeing the civil war ended up in Turkey. Many then made their way to Europe via small boats.

In 2016, Brussels and Ankara forged a migration deal where the EU offered Turkey incentives and up to 6 billion euros ($7.1 billion) in aid for Syrian refugees on its territory to persuade Ankara to stop tens of thousands of migrants from setting out for Greece.

Aid groups said that deal created open-air prisons with squalid conditions. But for the EU leadership, the deal saved people, kept many migrants from reaching EU territory, and bettered the lives of refugees in Turkey.

Renewal of that deal is up this year, but Turkish citizens have soured on Syrian refugees and anti-immigrant right-wing parties have surged in popularity in parts of Europe.

And another refugee crisis is already underway even closer to Europe, with fighting in Lebanon between Israel and Hezbollah displacing more than 800,000 people so far.

“We’ve got a situation (in the Middle East) that could have grave humanitarian consequences right at a time where humanitarian funding has been completely slashed,” said Ninette Kelley, chair of the World Refugee & Migration Council, pointing to the Trump administration’s gutting of USAID. “Is the world ready for another humanitarian disaster?”

___

McNeil reported from Brussels. Associated Press writers Suzan Fraser in Ankara, Turkey, Fay Abuelgasim in Cairo, and Qassim Abdul-Zahra in Baghdad contributed to this report.

This article discusses the topic of baby loss and its content may be upsetting to some readers.

Last summer, a Co Tyrone family experienced the heartbreaking loss of beautiful twin boys. Tiernán Joseph & Padraíg (Paudí) Francis McConnell arrived at 23 weeks and five days in late June 2025.

The boys were born 22 seconds apart but tragically passed away 22 hours apart in the arms of their mummy Orlágh at the Royal Jubilee Maternity Hospitals’ Neonatal Unit.

Almost nine months on, the two boys remain lovingly cherished in the memories of their parents Niall and Orlágh, siblings Caít, Shaunagh, Aoibhínn and Oisín and the wider family circle.

READ MORE: Co Down family rallies around ‘precious’ Paige battling one of the world’s rarest illnessesREAD MORE: Co Down playgroup a lifeline for parents navigating developmental delay with children

Now Paudí and Tiernán’s aunt Beth and her dad Terry, from Omagh, are planning to raise money for Remember My Baby, a charity that provides professional remembrance photography to families like theirs who have lost a baby.

Remember My Baby receives no statutory funding and relies entirely on donations to continue offering this support free of charge.

Orlágh’s sister Beth, 24, will be running the Omagh Half Marathon on March 29 while Terry, 53, will be taking on the incredible challenge of the London Marathon on April 26. This fundraiser is deeply personal for their family following the heartbreaking loss Beth’s nephews and Terry’s grandsons.

Beth told Belfast Live: “It’s been a hard few months. Like any grieving family and we’re a big close-knit family too, it was a struggle at the start. We all had to support each other in a sense, just be whoever needs your shoulder to cry on but we are very strong and we’re just looking at the positives of it.

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“The boys are together now and they obviously just couldn’t be apart so at least they have each other. We just look for the goodness in it and that keeps you going. They’re looking down on us and always going to guide us in the right direction. My sister looks for like wee butterflies and things like that, just to remind her that they’re there.

“No parent ever wants to lose their child. It’s the worst thing a parent can go through but they’ll always remember their boys. Paudi and Tiernan were two precious lives, two little boys who will always be loved, always part of our family, and always remembered.”

Now Beth and her dad Terry are in training for their upcoming marathon challenges, a fundraiser that is deeply personal.

Beth explained: “We’re raising funds for Remember My Baby, which provides professional remembrance photography to families who have lost a baby. In the most devastating moments of their lives, when time feels frozen and hearts are breaking, these volunteers step in to create beautiful, sensitive photographs, memories that families can hold onto forever.

“No parent ever expects to need this kind of service. But for those who do, it means everything. Remember My Baby does not receive any statutory funding. The charity relies entirely on donations and fundraising to continue offering this incredible service free of charge to families when they need it most.

“So when I’m out running the roads of Omagh, and when my dad is pounding the streets of London, we won’t just be running races. We’ll be running for Paudi and Tiernan. We’ll be running for our family. We’ll be running in memory of all those who have lost their precious angels far too soon.

“We are hoping that our contribution, no matter how big or small, can go on to help other families who are facing this devastating loss, and support them by getting the most precious gift of photos, to remember their babies by.

“There will be tough miles. There will be moments when we feel exhausted and question ourselves. But that effort is nothing compared to the strength shown by parents and families who carry loss with them every single day.”

Beth has set up as GoFundMe page as part of the challenge: “Every donation through our GoFundMe page helps Remember My Baby continue their vital work. You are not just sponsoring a run, you are helping create lasting memories, honour precious lives, and support families during their darkest moments.”

You can donate here.

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The series, hosted by Bradley Walsh and his son Barney, is almost coming to an end, but first, contenders will do all they can to secure a place in the final.

Tonight’s episode will start at a later time than usual due to the scheduling of a Six Nations match – here’s what we know.

Why is Gladiators on later tonight?

BBC One is broadcasting the Wales v Italy match tonight from 4pm, ahead of the 4.40pm kick off.

This means, Gladiators’ usual slot will be occupied, however, fans won’t totally miss out as it will be available to watch from 7.15pm on its usual channel, BBC One.

Some fans may have already seen the episode as it was uploaded to iPlayer at 6am today.

Who will take on the Gladiators tonight?

Tonight, the first set of contenders taking on the Gladiators to secure their spot in the final is as follows:

Mo, 35, from Swansea
Finn, 23, from Lake District
Ella, 28, from Bournemouth
Naomi, 40, from Birmingham

Sharing a snippet of what fans can expect in tonight’s episode, the official Gladiators Instagram page said: “With the finish line in sight, the pressure is on.

“In this semi-final the referees are on point in Collision, unbeaten Comet returns to Hang Tough, and Cyclone gets bored waiting on top of Everest.

“Only the strongest will survive the Arena and book their place in the Gladiators Grand Final.”

Fans shared their excitement, commenting on the post: “Looking forward to this semi final.”

Another said: “YESSSSS COME ON SEMI FINALISTS”.

This person commented: “😍👏🔥🙌❤️ so looking forward to this amazing Gladiators 🤝🫶💪💪”.

Who are the Gladiators in the 2026 cast?

The Gladiators taking part in this year’s series include:

• Athena
• Comet
• Cyclone
• Diamond
• Dynamite
• Electro
• Fire
• Fury
• Sabre
• Apollo

Gladiators fans take to Reddit to share what they miss about the original series

• Bionic
• Giant
• Hammer
• Legend
• Nitro
• Phantom
• Steel
• Viper

Who do you want to see make it to the final? Let us know in the comments.

The ex-England international discussed departing the BBC and stuck the boot into his former employers

Former Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker has taken aim at the BBC over their World Cup coverage this summer. The ex-England striker revealed he’ll be fronting this year’s tournament live from the USA, whilst the broadcaster will have to settle for its base in Salford.

Lineker had intended to remain with the broadcaster to front the competition for them, despite departing his role as host of the beloved highlights programme in May 2025.

However, he left the BBC sooner than anticipated. This came after a controversy where he posted on social media about Zionism that featured a rat emoji, which was deemed an anti-Semitic slur.

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The former England player issued an apology for the post and departed with immediate effect. In an ironic turn of events, Lineker will be stationed in North America for the tournament this summer as his podcast, The Rest Is Football, has landed a daily show deal with Netflix to be filmed in New York City.

Speaking to James O’Brien on the LBC podcast Full Disclosure in late February, the ex-Leicester striker made certain to have a dig at his former employers whilst discussing his departure.

READ MORE: Man Utd are paying for Ruben Amorim’s mistake as Gary Lineker sticks the boot inREAD MORE: Gary Lineker reveals White House talks over World Cup visa application amid US ban fears

He said: “I was already doing the [podcast] anyway and then other offers started to come in reasonably quickly and, again, because people recognised it was a genuine error [his social media post].

“The truth is now, in hindsight, and I never would’ve wished this, but things have transpired. I’ve had Saturdays off, I’m going to do the World Cup for Netflix, in New York, whilst the BBC are doing the World Cup in Salford but things have turned out alright.”

Following his exit from Match of the Day, Lineker has remained occupied with his podcast, which he presents alongside Micah Richards and Alan Shearer. He has also taken part in the Ballers League.

Goalhanger, the podcast firm Lineker co-established and which produces other major brands such as The Rest Is Politics, recently secured an agreement with Netflix to transform its football edition into a daily television programme on the platform during this summer’s World Cup, held across North and Central America.

The former Barcelona player is also fronting a new game show, The Box, which arrives on ITV later this year. Discussing his new position as presenter, he told O’Brien: “I’ve got a new series… a reality show, actually, which I’m hosting. I’ve always been asked to go on reality shows and I’ve always said not until Ant & Dec retire or Claudia gives up.

“It’s called The Box and it’s a lot of fun. It’s genuinely something completely different to what I’ve done before. I liked the look of this idea. I think it’s really clever. It’s light-hearted and a lot of fun.”

Apologising for the post that led to his departure from the BBC in May last year, Lineker asserted he did not see the image and “would never consciously repost anything anti-Semitic”.

He added: “However, I recognise the error and upset that I caused, and reiterate how sorry I am. Stepping back now feels like the responsible course of action.”

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Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package

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Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle for the 2025/26 season, saving £336 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.

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Sky shows at least 215 live Premier League games each season, an increase of up to 100, plus Formula 1, darts, golf and more.