A 19-year-old college wrestler from California has fallen to his death while hiking near a waterfall in Yosemite National Park, according to reports.

Ryan George’s wrestling team at Santa Rosa Junior College, about an hour’s drive northwest of San Francisco, announced the tragic news in a Facebook post Monday.

“This past weekend we received the tragic news that Ryan passed away at Yosemite National Park, following an accident,” the team wrote.

The Press Democrat, a local newspaper, reported that George was hiking with friends near Illilouette Falls on Sunday when he slipped and fell to his death. The waterfall is roughly 370 feet tall and flows all year long.

“If you knew Ryan, you know he was one of the most genuine, positive people you could ever meet,” his wrestling team said. “He had this way of lighting up a room, making you feel welcome, and bringing out the best in everyone around him. Always smiling, always encouraging, always full of life.”

Details surrounding George’s death, such as what led to the fall and the aftermath, are unknown. The Independent has reached out to the National Park Service and the Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office for comment.

George got into wrestling during his freshman year of high school. He was a football player at Montgomery High School in Santa Rosa and was too heavy to join the wrestling team. But that didn’t stop him.

“He worked really, really hard and he got his weight down,” Ian Hesz, who was George’s high school wrestling coach, told The Press Democrat.

George won an individual North Bay League title at Montgomery High, and then earned All-American honors last wrestling season as a freshman at Santa Rosa Junior College, according to the outlet. On Friday, just days before his death, George earned second place at the Dave Pacheco Invitational meet at Sacramento City College.

“It was good watching him find what he loved,” George’s older sister, Jaida, told The Press Democrat. “He was always playing and wrestling when he was a kid.”

The siblings’ father died when George was a baby and their mother died just weeks ago, according to the outlet.

In a GoFundMe page created on behalf of Jaida, a loved one wrote, “In July, we lost our Beloved Taji and now, just 2 months later, her daughter Jaida is facing another heartbreaking loss with the passing of her Little Brother Ryan Jr. this past Sunday.”

“She is grieving the loss of two people she loves deeply, while also facing all that comes with losing family members so unexpectedly, on top of it all being a New Mommy to her precious Son who is only 2 months old,” read the fundraising page, which generated more than $9,000 in donations by Wednesday.

Donald Trump raised a few eyebrows as a somewhat surreal red-carpet ceremony was put on for Chinese President Xi Jinping at a military base in Maryland on Wednesday for Xi’s arrival.

Video caught Chinese officials looking on as U.S. Marines smoothed out a red carpet for the Chinese president, who descended the stairs and was greeted by his U.S. counterpart, clad in a long winter coat and leather gloves in the 65-degree weather.

The pair, along with their spouses, then stood beside each other awkwardly as the national anthem was played, cannons fired in a salute, and a military jet soared loudly overhead — causing Trump to visibly wince while Xi placidly watched the plane pass overhead.

“[I]t is 64 degrees at Joint Base Andrews right now and yet Trump is wearing gloves are he greets President Xi,” wrote journalist Aaron Rupar.

“Trump — it’s YOUR airshow. How do you get scared?” asked Twitch streamer Hasan Piker, who played video of Xi’s arrival for his viewers.

The ceremony was a major departure from the typically more reserved setting in which U.S. presidents meet leaders of major U.S. geopolitical rivals, like Russia and China. But Trump has broken protocol on that front before, including when he rolled out a red carpet for Russia’s Vladimir Putin when the latter visited Alaska in 2025.

By comparison, Joe Biden waited to greet Xi until the Chinese president arrived at the site of their summit in San Francisco in 2024. Like Trump, Biden greeted Xi with a military guard and red carpet — though not one carted out to the tarmac at Joint Base Andrews.

Generally speaking, American presidents (other than Trump) typically eschew tarmac greetings for foreign dignitaries. The recent visit to the United States of British monarchs King Charles and Queen Camilla followed standard protocol — Trump greeted them at the White House.

Xi’s visit comes as the U.S. and China remain at odds over a number of trade issues including AI and semiconductors, and on both topics the U.S. president has been accused by his domestic critics of being too lax with Beijing. Ahead of Wednesday’s arrival ceremony, Trump faced criticism from a Republican senator typically closely aligned with the White House over putting on a “lavish” welcome for the Chinese president.

“Had the White House asked me for advice, I would have suggested the president not invite Xi Jinping to Washington for such a lavish welcome here in the United States, based on all of the troubling issues we have with President Xi and the Chinese Communist Party,” Mississippi Sen. Roger Wicker said in a speech delivered on the Senate floor.

He added that Trump, “during every minute of dialogue,” should remember that “his guest is a brutal, unelected and oppressive dictator who seeks to dominate his neighbors and whose massive military arsenal is aimed directly at the United States of America.”

The senator’s criticism is a rarity on Capitol Hill, but the rebellious nature of GOP members has grown in recent weeks as the president’s approval ratings have remained at record lows and his war in Iran has plummeted to dangerously low popularity levels.

Calls on the Hill and from Republican candidates nationwide for the war to end have grown, while Trump continues to make threats about wiping out the entire country of Iran.

Xi’s visit to Washington comes as his American opposite is facing political turmoil within his Republican Party coalition and facing a potential wipeout for the GOP in the upcoming midterm elections.

The previous week in D.C. was capped off by Trump’s decision to ban MS Now, CNN and Politico from the White House. Journalists were stripped of their White House hard passes and shown to the door as they attempted to enter the premises over the weekend and on Monday, and the three organizations filed a lawsuit to block the ban. On Wednesday, TV networks including Fox News, NBC, ABC and CBS (which make up the remainder of the TV press pool) continued to boycott coverage of White House events in solidarity with their excluded colleagues.

As a result, Trump’s ceremony was largely absent from cable news shows on Wednesday, depriving the president of an audience to look presidential in front of as he battles an image problem and the frustrations of Americans who continue to face a serious cost-of-living crisis.

Experts have warned a ‘worrying trend’ continues after a wasp spider was found in Cheshire for the first time

A wasp spider has been reported in Cheshire for the first time, which experts have warned marks a “worrying trend” as a result of climate change.

The large yellow-and-black spider, nicknamed ‘Wendy’ by the zoo team, was spotted during a biodiversity survey of Chester Zoo’s estate and has been confirmed as the first recorded sighting of the species in Cheshire.

They have been spotted in the south of England, but not in the North West – until now. The discovery was made by Chester Zoo conservationists working with Cheshire’s local environmental records centre, called RECORD. It was subsequently confirmed by an expert from the British Arachnological Society and announced on Wednesday (September 23).

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The spider was discovered by Rosie Cooper, the zoo’s estate biodiversity assistant, while she was surveying plant species on the 205-hectare estate.

She said: “When go out into the field, it involves a lot of walking, using a mixture of apps, wildlife identifying books and our own knowledge to learn more specifics about the habitats we look after.

“I was looking out for plant species and then I saw this big, stripy, brightly coloured spider. I have what you might call a healthy respect for spiders, so my first thought was ‘woah!’ But now I think it’s really cool to have found her.”

Wasp spiders are among a number of species whose ranges are moving northwards as they respond to a changing climate.

Ruby Merriman, Chester Zoo’s Estate Biodiversity Manager, said the discovery was “really exciting” but said the movement of species was also a reminder of the impact of climate change.

She said: “Wasp spiders are slowly moving north as their southern ranges in Europe warm too quickly for them to adapt. Some conservation organisations refer to animals driven to migrate by climate change as ‘climate refugees’ – which is a good term. They are moving because of human activity, and we need to make space for them.”

Scott Wilson, head of field programmes at Chester Zoo, said these markers of climate change highlight the “major threat” it poses to biodiversity.

He said: “It’s exciting to see new species like Wendy on site, but her arrival is part of a broader, more worrying trend. Our conservationists work across the world, and we are witnessing the impacts of climate change in real time, from droughts in Chile to floods in Indonesia. It is a major threat to biodiversity.

“When mountain snows thaw unseasonably, montane forests dry out and small islands face rising sea levels, the species that depend on them must disperse or die. There is a causal link between habitat loss and climate change, and both are already driving species to extinction.

“European spiders are among many species finding it harder to persist in their traditional ranges as the climate shifts. Wendy is a reminder UK biodiversity is not immune to this.”

Tucked away in Northumberland, Le Petit Chateau and its sister venue, The William de Percy, combine boutique accommodation, dining, and striking interiors that help set them apart from more traditional country hotels.

Inspired by a French country manor, the Otternburn venue has a 4.2-star TripAdvisor rating from more than 650 reviews and received the site’s Travellers’ Choice award in 2026.

The outdoor wedding ceremony space at Le Petit Château, with rows of elegant seating leading to a picturesque chapel-style building set among landscaped gardens. (Image: Nicholas Georgiou and APARTMENT GROUP)

Upon arrival, guests enter a world of crystal chandeliers, antique furnishings, landscaped gardens and individually designed rooms.

It offers a romantic Northumberland countryside escape and a base for exploring attractions such as Northumberland National Park.

Many visitors arrive for weddings, with the venue earning a reputation as one of the region’s most distinctive celebration settings.

Recent reviews suggest it continues to impress.

One guest, who visited to celebrate a wedding anniversary, praised the “beautiful setting”, “great staff” and “fabulous food”, describing the stay as a memorable way to mark the occasion.

Another reviewer who stayed with their young family praised the hotel’s “very quiet midweek relaxing stay”.

They highlighted the spacious room, welcoming staff, quality food, and attractive grounds, adding that it was well located for exploring Northumberland.

Wedding guests have praised it too.

Le Petit Château welcomes four-legged guests too, with dog-friendly accommodation designed for owners looking to enjoy a luxury break with their pets. (Image: Kristos Kabiotis Photography and APARTMENT GROUP)

A recent visitor said they looked out over the fountain and gardens from a Juliette balcony before attending a “beautifully decorated” ceremony.

They praised the helpful staff and said the food served throughout the celebrations was “delicious”.

The food is another major draw.

Dining at The William de Percy, where guests can enjoy hearty pub classics, local produce and a carefully selected range of drinks in a cosy setting. (Image: Kristos Kabiotis Photography and APARTMENT GROUP)

The William de Percy restaurant regularly receives positive comments from guests, while breakfast is another frequently praised aspect of a stay.

One visitor described dinner as “delicious and good value for money” and said they left feeling relaxed and eager to return.

With dog-friendly rooms, complimentary breakfast, picturesque surroundings, and a distinctive style that feels a world away from everyday life, it is easy to see why Le Petit Chateau continues to attract visitors seeking a little luxury in the Northumberland countryside.

DS Thea Ramsden (Chelsea Edge) arrived in Emmerdale with one goal – destroy Kim Tate (Claire King).

Viewers of the ITV soap spent weeks speculating just why Thea wanted to get revenge on Kim, and what connection they shared.

It was eventually revealed that Thea is Kim’s secret daughter, having been put up for adoption shortly after birth. Thea managed to track Kim’s location but, before she actually got to the village herself, she asked her friend Serena Sugden (Casey Al-Shaqsy) to do something first.

Thea instructed Serena to break into Home Farm to find something on Kim that would ultimately allow the copper to be successful in her plan. Serena snuck into the big house a number of times, but didn’t find anything.

While waiting for the right moment to strike and destroy Kim, Thea has been investigating Doctor Caitlin Todd’s (Caroline Harker) death, and also the crash that killed Jimmy King (Nick Miles) and Dawn Taylor (Olivia Bromley).

Next week, Thea turns her focus back to Kim as she finds her at Will’s graveside. They chat, and Thea cannot help but feel that her long-held opinion of Kim might be changing.

‘I think Kim’s sad’, star Claire King said, discussing these scenes.

‘She’s talking to Will and saying how much she loved Dawn and she couldn’t protect her and she was so sad about it. She felt guilty that this had come to pass, and she couldn’t do anything about her death.

‘Then Thea arrives and she’s vocalising this to Thea, and Thea then thinks ‘Oh. She has actually got a soft side. Maybe she is not the monster I thought she was.’ Because she has come back to get her believing that she has been this monster, this evil woman for twenty seven years. So she softens a bit.’

Thea later tells Serena about seeing Kim’s vulnerable side, and how she’s wondering if she’s got her wrong.

Pondering over whether or not to reveal her identity to Kim, Thea’s mind changes when Kim loses it after Vinny Dingle (Bradley Johnson) walks into the pub, and Thea overhears what she believes is a callous attitude towards baby Tate’s situation.

Thea throws away any sympathy and once again is determined to get revenge.

Later in the week, Sarah Sugden (Katie Hill) is walking through the street and spots Serena speaking to Thea.

Suspicious, what will Sarah do about this discovery?

Revealing how Kim will react when she inevitably learns that Thea is her daughter, Claire told us: ‘Kim will be over the moon that Thea tracked her down but she will be very, very shocked to realise that it’s someone that she’s actually been around for a few weeks.’

‘It will be a really joyful moment for her and she is going to have to work really, really hard to win Thea’s trust and make her even talk to her basically.’

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Lofft in Cardiff has been marked out by The AA as a ‘serious dining destination’

It may have only launched seven months ago but one small Cardiff restaurant is making its mark on the UK dining scene. Lofft has just achieved three AA rosettes, one of the UK’s most respected restaurant accolades, at the AA Hospitality Awards 2026.

The rosette news comes just weeks after the intimate, 12-seat dining experience was added to the Michelin Guide. The AA describes three rosettes as an award given to “outstanding restaurants that are worth travelling for”.

It also says that “only around 15% of rosette-awarded restaurants reach three rosettes”, adding “these are serious dining destinations – places you travel for, book ahead for, and remember long after the meal ends”.

Lofft opened in February above Thomas, the brasserie in Cardiff’s Pontcanna neighbourhood, and offers an intimate ten-course tasting menu experience centred around an open kitchen. For the latest restaurant news and reviews, sign up to our food and drink newsletter here.

The restaurant is led by executive chef Tom Peters, whose career includes stints at Roux at Parliament Square and Maaemo in Oslo, as well as an appearance on MasterChef: The Professionals. You can read our review of Lofft here.

The tasting menu is built around seasonal Welsh produce and showcases the best ingredients available throughout the year. Guests are seated around the chef’s counter with a full view of the cooking process, creating an immersive and personal dining experience.

Chef Tom Simmons marked the accolade as an “incredible achievement” for the team.

“From the beginning, our ambition with Lofft was to create something intimate and personal that showcased exceptional Welsh produce and the talent of our chefs,” he said.

“We’re hugely proud of what the team has built and of the experience we’re creating for our guests.”

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Executive chef Tom Peters, who guests watch preparing carefully created meals from their seats around a U-shape table, added: “At Lofft, every dish is built around exceptional ingredients, precision and attention to detail. We want every guest to leave having experienced something memorable, both in terms of the cooking and the atmosphere around the chef’s counter.

“To be recognised with Three AA Rosettes is incredibly rewarding and a testament to the hard work of the whole team.”

Lofft forms part of Tom Simmons’ reimagined Pontcanna restaurant, which launched earlier this year as two distinct but connected dining experiences under one roof: Lofft, an intimate chef’s counter upstairs, and Thomas, a relaxed Welsh brasserie shaped by seasonal Welsh produce and French-inspired cooking downstairs.

Actor James Chase will reprise his role as Tom King, the abusive husband of Belle Dingle (Eden Taylor-Draper).

He will be part of an upcoming storyline that promises to reignite painful memories and fresh danger.

Emmerdale star Tom King returning to ITV soap

James Chase will return as Tom King for a new storyline with Belle Dingle (Image: ITV)

Tom’s return follows a harrowing domestic abuse plot that saw him inflict psychological torment, cyberstalking, and even harm the family dog.

His behaviour ultimately led to a conviction and prison sentence, but he is now up for parole.

Tom’ reappearance threatens to reopen old wounds and inflict fresh trauma on Belle.

Mr Chase said: “Stepping back into Tom’s shoes is a responsibility I don’t take lightly.

“He is a character driven by obsession and a desperate need for control, and it is both fascinating and challenging to step back into that mindset.

“The audience knows exactly who he is and what he is capable of, so the challenge now is to show the lengths he is willing to go to in order to get what he wants, even if it means dismantling Belle’s life all over again.

“It’s a dark path, and I’m ready to see how far Tom will push it.”

Emmerdale producer Laura Shaw added: “James’ return isn’t just about bringing back a familiar face; it’s about reigniting a complex and challenging story.

“When Belle gets the news that Tom is up for parole, she’s forced to confront a trauma she battled hard to overcome.

“With her family and new partner Kammy by her side, we explore the lasting impact of Tom’s abusive actions on Belle as she fights to keep Tom away from the village.”

Emmerdale stars on Jimmy King’s exit from ITV soap

While one Emmerdale star returns, others have recently left the show.

Nick Miles, who played Jimmy King for 22 years, saw his character recently killed off.

Jimmy died following a car crash after losing control of his vehicle and crashing straight into the wedding marquee for Joe Tate and Dawn Fletcher.

Miles and Nicola Wheeler, his on-screen wife, Nicola King, spoke about filming Jimmy’s send-off.

The stars opened up about his death and the impact on his departure in interviews following Emmerdale’s National Television Awards win in the Continuing Drama category.

Speaking to Radio Times after the award win, Mr Miles said: “Not to talk about myself, but the clip they showed was my last ever Emmerdale, and so it’s just a lovely, lovely way to end my 22-year Emmerdale story.

“So I feel on top of the world right now.”

On his exit, Mr Miles added: “We cried.

“We cried a lot,” with Ms Wheeler agreeing.

She then said: “I’ll tell you what it was like to film.

“It’s a bit like in [the NTAs Winners Room].

“It was in 30-degree heat, but it was beautiful.

“The art team had done a fantastic job with the marquee, and it did look gorgeous, didn’t it?

“It was very technical with the dream sequence, and the other bits in the car were hot, sweaty, and smelt of cheese.”

He continued: “They packed a real picnic because Jimmy was planning a picnic, so there was a picnic in the car, and the cheese just started to pack up its bags and start to walk out.

“Yeah, and it stank like it became a smellier version a bit.

“I’d gone nose blind, but Nicola was nearly sick when she threw the car window for the first time.”

The actors also reflected on their long working relationship and the 17-year marriage between their characters.

Ms Wheeler said: “We’ve been together 17 years in the show.

“We’ve known each other for Nick’s whole 22 years in the show because I was in it a little bit before him, so we were good friends beforehand, but our characters never really interacted until we got together in the back of a van, and that was it.

“That’s history.”

Who is your favourite character on Emmerdale? Let us know in the comments.

Andy Burnham has called for a ban on football fans drinking alcohol in stadium stands to be scrapped, describing the law as discriminatory and outdated.

The Prime Minister said that targeting football spectators is unfair when followers of other sports are permitted to drink while watching their teams.

Established during the 1980s when fears of hooliganism were at their peak, the restriction applies to the top five tiers of English men’s football.

However, Everton fan Mr Burnham said the policy was created during “an era when football was very different”.

Welcoming the Prime Minister’s comments, the Football Supporters’ Association (FSA) highlighted that successful pilots of alcohol in stands had occurred within the women’s game.

Police chiefs nevertheless warned that making adjustments without full consultation with forces would be “incredibly rash”.

Mr Burnham told reporters: “I don’t think it’s fair for football fans to be singled out in that way and I made that point.

“I think that legislation dates to an era where football was very different.

“And I do believe there is a case to remove that discrimination. There are different ways it could be done, perhaps on a trial basis.

“But I’m not going to back away from what’s been a long-held view of mine. I don’t see how it can be fair that some supporters of one sport can be treated differently from others.”

The Sporting Events (Control of Alcohol) Act 1985 prohibits drinking in sight of the pitch in England and Wales in the top five men’s leagues.

FSA chairman Tom Greatrex said: “The FSA has always argued that it’s unfair to criminalise football fans for having a pint while watching the match – especially since you can sit in the same seat drinking alcohol whilst watching an Oasis gig or rugby league.

“Many clubs are in favour as well. WSL and WSL2 ran a successful pilot, meaning fans can now drink in the stands at many grounds, while the EFL has long supported a trial.

“We welcome the Prime Minister’s comments and totally agree that the legislation is outdated and deserves to be reviewed. We look forward to being part of that consultation.”

A UK Football Policing Unit spokesperson said police chiefs would welcome a meeting with Mr Burnham to “explain the challenges these proposed changes would bring to policing and the safety of staff and fans”.

The spokesperson said: ”Other sports simply don’t see the violence and criminal behaviour from their supporters that football does, albeit a minority, with alcohol often playing a significant part in violent and disorderly behaviour.

“It would be irresponsible to fuel this by allowing greater alcohol consumption during games.

“Following a number of football-related tragedies, changes in legislation were implemented after the Taylor Report for good reason and we are currently in the longest ever period without a significant football-related disaster.

“It would be incredibly rash to make fundamental changes without a full examination of the evidence and meaningful consultation with police practitioners who have the expertise in this area.”

Mr Burnham previously raised the issue shortly before entering No 10 in July, when rugby league fans were able to drink while watching matches at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium.

He was at the ground with friends, including Liverpool metro mayor Steve Rotheram, who were holding pints of beer, and said: “How come these lads can do that in my seat here when we can’t do that at an Everton home game?

“Something wrong there. I think we need to look at that.”

It is well known AI will come for all our jobs – even street artists. A vinyl mural in the ‘home of Banksy’ has been called a ‘slap in the face of Bristol’ for its AI design.

Graffiti artists are in uproar over the AI depiction of the creative centre of the south west that was slapped on the side of the Jolly Colliers pub.

It depicts an unrecognisable version of Cabot Tower and an SS Great Britain that looks more like a steam-powered tugboat than the epic sails of the once-largest passenger ship in the world docked off the River Avon.

It also displays a wrong interpretation of Banksy’s Mild Mild West, which shows a one-legged figure pointing – not Banksy’s famous petrol bomb-throwing teddy bear.

The image appears to have been converted into a large vinyl before being pasted onto the building.

With Bristol’s international reputation for street art and connection to artists like Banksy, the AI mural has the community reaching for the spray cans.

Caroline Maggs from the Bristol Mural Collective (BMC) told Bristol 24/7: ‘AI designs not only devalue but undermine the work of artists’ and that the collective was ‘saddened and angered by the Jolly Colliers not choosing to support handmade work’.

‘We are small businesses, and as a small business themselves, they should have chosen better,’ she said.

‘In a climate where humans are being replaced by AI at an alarming rate, choosing art like this is not only an aesthetic choice but a political one.’

Maggs said having no mural would have been better than the AI art now on the pub.

She added that the collective was open to discussions with the Jolly Colliers and would like to commission someone from the collective to ‘rectify their mistake’.

On Tuesday, a letter from an unknown artist condemning the AI art had been placed below the mural, but it was swiftly removed.

The letter called the decision to erect the mural ‘a disrespectful affront to this city’.

‘I am not alone in this opinion. Your decisions have angered a large portion of the very community you supposedly wish to support and exist alongside,’ the letter said.

While it was not signed by anybody, the writer acknowledged Bristol’s reputation for creativity and hosting Upfest, Europe’s largest street art festival.

The letter said: ‘Hundreds of murals exist across the city, created by truly talented individuals, with passion, hard-earned skill and dedication.

‘By choosing to “create” (though that word gives more credit than is due) an Al generated image, produce it in vinyl and stick it to the side of your building, you are actively damaging the livelihoods of artists, disrespecting and contributing to the theft of their work, and making a mockery of what makes Bristol the city it is.

‘You have watered down the spirit, the originality and the very essence of the visual aesthetic you have tried, and failed, to recreate.’

Emily Tuffen, also an artist from BMC, said the mural was a ‘slap in the face’ to Bristol, adding that ‘Brunel would be turning in his grave’ over the piece.

Tuffen said the mural was a ‘very large, very public display of something that is fast becoming a very clear and real threat to the existence of humanity’.

Several other artists from the BMC also criticised the artwork, with Nina Raines calling the work ‘visually naff,’ and Fiona Finn Teo describing it as “an appalling and tone-deaf display of absolute nonchalance and disregard to artists residing in Bristol and beyond”.

Tuffen added: ‘The mural is like a giant green light telling all of south Bristol (and anyone who views it online) – AI is fine, let’s jump in feet first!

‘Tally ho! I don’t think it will last long, one way or the other. Bristol won’t stand for it.

‘On a personal level, I would be so happy if someone circled all the mistakes in red paint like a teacher or a spot the difference puzzle. That would make it actually a good street art piece and a clear statement.

“Bristol loves authentic creativity and won’t stand for intellectual property theft! It wouldn’t cost the proprietors too much if they wanted THAT commissioned!’

A spokesperson from Punch, who own the Bedminster pub, said the mural was ‘a temporary measure due to the condition of the external wall’ and they were looking forward to collaborating with local artists and the community in the near future for a permanent mural.

In a statement, the spokesperson added: ‘The external wall requires some minor works which would make a permanent mural at this time difficult, so we have opted for a temporary solution.’

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New analysis of school funding by the independent Institute for Fiscal Studies shows the budget per pupil is growing faster than expected, by 9% in real terms between 2025-26 and 2028-29.

This is partly because of various government top-ups to the budget and falling pupil numbers in some areas.

Economist Luke Sibieta said asking schools to offer more vocational routes would be a “big change” on top of the significant reforms to support for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities.

He said there was a “big question mark” over whether there were enough people to teach technical and vocational subjects, with further education colleges already struggling to recruit.

The Association of Colleges (AoC) suggested schools worked with them because they could offer “industry standard facilities” and qualified staff.

David Hughes, from the AoC, said this would help ensure learning was “authentically different to school and properly employment focused”.

Daniel Kebede, from the National Education Union, said “sustained investment and resources” was needed to make a success of the new qualifications.

While Pepe Di’Iasio, of the Association of School and College Leaders, described the government’s plans as “well intentioned” but without making sure schools had the staffing and resources would not remove barriers to young people.

He welcomed the national push for work experience and said with placements “extremely difficult” to secure more support was needed from employers.

The existing statutory career guidelines for secondary schools in England already require “meaningful” work experience for 14 to 16-year-olds.

Employers are now being asked to contact their local careers hub to offer placements.

Laura Trott MP, who is the Conservative Party’s shadow Education Secretary said she was concerned the changes risked losing the progress England had made in improving standards, and “ripping up the system” could mean “sabotaging young people’s futures”.

“Better schools will continue to protect rigorous subjects but disadvantaged children will be steered towards easier routes, lowering expectations for the very pupils who need high standards most”, she said.