Politics
Work From Home Push Yet To Make Difference In “Understaffed” Schools
4 min read
A Department for Education push to give teachers more flexibility in terms of where they work has not led to a rise in home working, new data suggests.
According to senior sector figures, it will be difficult for teachers to take advantage of the greater flexibility while schools continue to suffer staff shortages.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson this summer said the department would issue new guidance that teachers can complete some work like lesson planning at home as part of a Government bid to make teaching more flexible for under-pressure staff.
The guidance was formally updated last month to read: “Teachers can use their PPA time flexibly at home and in one chunk of time, where operationally feasible and safeguarding considerations allow.”
The guidance also said: “Employers could look at how PPA time is scheduled as part of a strategic whole-school approach to accommodate more flexible PPA time.”
Teachers receive allocated time to complete their duties away from the children in their care known as planning, preparation and assessment (PPA) time.
But new data, collected last month by Teacher Tapp and shared with PoliticsHome, shows that the percentage of teachers in state schools who had spent their PPA time at home in the week commencing 18 November rose to 11 per cent from 9 per cent in September — a change which Teacher Tapp says is not significant.
In primary schools, the percentage of teachers spending PPA time at home rose from 16 per cent to 19 per cent.
In secondary, where it is often harder for PPA time to be taken away from classrooms, teachers completing work at home rose from just two per cent to three per cent.
There have been calls for ministers to make teaching more flexible amid a wider effort to tackle a recruitment and retention crisis in the education sector.
A recent report showed women in their thirties are the largest group leaving the profession.
The think tank The New Britain Project’s report “Missing Mothers”, which was published earlier this year, said that “increased pay alone won’t be sufficient to stem the tide of teachers leaving the profession; creating a sustainable career requires addressing other foundational needs, particularly for women”.
Speaking to PoliticsHome, Head of Community at Teacher Tapp Grainne Hallahan said: “The difference so far is within what you would expect for normal variation — there hasn’t been a sudden increase of teachers working from home.”
Hallahan said it could be that taking PPA time from home “is impractical” or that some schools are “unwilling to let teachers go home for practical reasons like needing enough staff or fire drills or covering absent colleagues”.
Ultimately, “first we need more staff in school to facilitate having staff off-site,” she said.
“Until the issue of understaffing is addressed in schools, then it is very difficult to offer flexibility like PPA at home.
“But the recruitment crisis would be eased if teachers had more attractive perks like being able to work from home. And of, course, all of this has to be balanced with ensuring outcomes for pupils aren’t negatively impacted.”
Daniel Kebede, General Secretary of the National Education Union, told PoliticsHome the “only route out” of what he called a “severe recruitment and retention crisis in schools” was increased investment in education.
“Even simple mitigations to retain more teachers, such as greater flexible working, are extremely difficult because of the lack of capacity in the school system,” he said.
A Department for Education spokesperson said: “Improving teacher wellbeing and work-life balance is vital so we can continue to recruit and keep great teachers in our classrooms and drive up standards for all children.
“On top of the 5.5 per cent pay award, we are resetting the relationship with the education workforce and working alongside them to re-establish teaching as an attractive, expert profession.
“We have already clarified that teachers can carry out their planning time at home and continue to encourage schools to make use of the full range of flexible working practices to support their staff as their lives change and develop.”
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Politics
John Healey admits he ‘struggled to get his breath’ when reading ‘horror’ of Southport attack
Defence Secretary John Healey has confirmed the Labour Government will move to introduce legislation this year forcing criminals to attend their sentencing hearings.
Healey, who appeared on GB News this morning, made the announcement following the absence of Southport killer Axel Rudakubana during his sentencing at Liverpool Crown Court yesterday.
Politics
Labour MP says CPS made ‘right choice’ to charge Rudakubana with murder, not terrorism
Labour MP Mike Tapp has backed calls for a national review into terrorism laws following the sentencing of Southport killer Axel Rudakubana.
Speaking to GB News, the Dover MP said: “These people, without clear ideologies, who are obsessed with murder, we’ve got to get on top of it.”
Politics
Labour MP Mike Tapp backs national review into terrorism legal framework after sentencing
Labour MP Mike Tapp has backed calls for a national review into terrorism laws following the sentencing of Southport killer Axel Rudakubana.
Speaking to GB News, the Dover MP said: “These people, without clear ideologies, who are obsessed with murder, we’ve got to get on top of it.”
Rudakubana 18, was sentenced to a minimum of 52 years in prison for the murders of three young girls at a Taylor Swift-themed class in Southport in July 2024.
However, Mr Justice Goose confirmed the offences he had committed “did not reach the legal definition of terrorism”, because he did not kill to further a political, religious or ideological cause.
Tapp defended the CPS’s decision to not charge Rudakubana with terrorism
GB News / PA
Speaking to the People’s Channel, Tapp stressed that the review would examine everything “from the first referral to the last” to understand how Rudakubana “slipped through the net”.
“I think this started happening when he was a very young age. So possession of knives, obsession with murder, the vile things he’s been viewing online,” he said.
Defending the decision of the Crown Prosecution Service’s to pursue murder charges rather than terrorism offences in the case, Tapp noted that the CPS “have to charge with the offence they’re most likely to convict on”.
He explained: “If there isn’t that clear evidence of that motivation and ideology leading to those viral murders, they’ve got to go with the one that’s most likely to succeed.
Rudakubana, 18, was sentenced to a minimum term of 52 years in prison on Thursday
PA
“So that was most likely the right choice here, and that’s why we’ve seen him convicted.”
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He explained that while Rudakubana “is clearly a terrorist,” prosecutors faced challenges with proving ideological motivation.
“The complex part here is, yes, he killed people, and that was vile. He terrorised, he had an al Qaeda manual, he produced ricin,” Tapp said.
“But the CPS made a decision to charge on murder because there wasn’t that clear ideological motivation for carrying out the murders.”
The Labour MP emphasised that careful consideration of charges was essential to secure a conviction.
Tapp told GB News that there wasn’t a ‘clear enough motivation’ for the CPS to charge Rudakubana on
GB News
Tapp emphasised the importance of careful language during legal proceedings to ensure successful prosecutions. “If we say the wrong things for political reasons that jeopardise a case like that, that would be disgraceful,” he said.
The Dover MP acknowledged the dedication of counter-terrorism officers, noting that many attacks have been prevented.
“Having worked in counter terrorism, we’ve really committed counter officers, people are working tirelessly to stop attacks from happening,” he told GB News.
Tapp also stressed that while many attacks were prevented, this case represented one that “slipped through the net, which is an absolute tragedy”.
Politics
His supporters cheer while illegal migrants scream in rage
As Donald Trump swore his oath of office on Monday, his supporters cheered throughout the American capital.
Not everyone is happy with the new president, however. During an immigration raid an illegal Haitian migrant with 18 previous convictions reportedly told police, “F*** Trump, Biden forever!”.
With the dawn of Trump comes his long-awaited policy of mass deportations of immigrants.
In his inauguration address, Trump promised to deport “millions and millions” of illegal aliens.
Within hours of his swearing in, he began to deliver on his core promises by signing dozens of executive orders on issues ranging from immigration to energy.
He banned DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) programmes across government, ended affirmative action (racial discrimination in favour of ethnic minorities), and declared a national energy on the US southern border.
One of the more controversial orders ended birthright citizenship for illegal migrants and those on temporary visas, meaning the children of illegal migrants are no longer given automatic citizenship. This order is set to be challenged in court as some argue that birthright citizenship is enshrined in the constitution.
Trump’s famed mass deportations programme also began within hours of his taking office, with immigration raids being launched in Chicago and Boston.
Under Joe Biden’s four years in the White House, more than eight million illegal migrants entered the United States according to estimates, though some experts suggest the number could be much higher.
Immigration, like in 2016, was one of the major reasons Donald Trump won the White House.
On Monday the freezing conditions and tight security in Washington DC did not deter the new president’s most hardcore fans who turned the usually liberal city into a MAGA heartland.
Trump’s supporters could hardly contain their excitement as their president returned to the Oval Office for the second time.
For more than half of the country, Trump’s inauguration represented a return to American exceptionalism: to expansionism, masculine energy, strong borders and self-confidence.
After witnessing murders being committed by illegal migrants, including, infamously, against the young Laken Riley, millions of Americans have now been filled with hope that they will be deported. Dreams of deportations are not simply a bigoted reaction to ethnic minorities, they are a shared desire to keep Americans safe.
Britain, where there are an estimated 1.2 million illegal migrants, could learn from Donald Trump. One in twelve people in London are reportedly in the country illegally, and the country is unified in believing that levels of immigration are too high.
In both America and Britain, the public are furious that illegal migration has been allowed to occur in record numbers. Such anger may have led to the fall of both Biden and Sunak’s regimes, though Keir Starmer does not see immigration in the same way as Donald Trump.
Under Trump’s leadership, the United States could be set to enter a period of radical transformation. Alongside his immigration crackdown, the president has announced plans for sweeping economic reforms aimed at reinvigorating American industry and reducing reliance on foreign manufacturing.
His administration has already signaled its intent to withdraw from trade agreements deemed “unfair” to American workers, with whispers of a renewed focus on domestic production under the slogan “Made in America.” This economic nationalism, while energising his voter base, has sparked concerns among business leaders who fear retaliatory tariffs and disrupted supply chains.
Trump’s energy policies are also shaping up to be as contentious as his immigration measures. On his first day back in office, the president ordered the immediate expansion of domestic oil and gas drilling, promising to make the United States “energy independent within months.”
Social policies, too, are poised for dramatic change. Trump’s ban on DEI programmes has sent shockwaves through corporate America, with companies scrambling to understand the implications. Critics have accused Trump of stoking cultural divides, while his administration claims such measures are necessary to restore meritocracy. Universities, long seen as bastions of progressive ideology, are likely to face increased scrutiny under new federal guidelines discouraging affirmative action.
Beyond the policy announcements, the mood in Washington reflects a nation deeply divided. Protesters gathered in cities across the country during Trump’s inauguration, denouncing what they called his “authoritarian” approach. The Capitol building itself remains under heavy security, a stark reminder of the turbulent political climate that has come to define modern America.
For Trump’s supporters, however, this is the beginning of what they see as a national revival. The president’s focus on immigration, energy, and economic sovereignty reflects a return to priorities they feel were neglected under Biden. While critics accuse Trump of authoritarianism, his backers argue that he is merely delivering on promises that resonate with millions.
Politics
Illegal migrants coming to Britain should be ‘put in camps on a west coast island’, Lowe claims
Reform UK MP Rupert Lowe has called for a “national emergency” to be declared over illegal migration, suggesting authorities should “round people up and deport” those in the country unlawfully.
Speaking on GB News, Lowe urged for a hardline approach similar to measures being taken in the United States.
Politics
Keir Starmer urged to ‘declare national emergency’ on illegal migration after shock London figures: ‘Deport, deport, deport!’
Reform UK MP Rupert Lowe has called for a “national emergency” to be declared over illegal migration, suggesting authorities should “round people up and deport” those in the country unlawfully.
Speaking on GB News, Lowe urged for a hardline approach similar to measures being taken in the United States.
“We have to declare a national emergency, rather like Trump’s doing, and we have to then be actually prepared to take hard decisions and deport, deport, deport,” he said.
The Reform UK politician criticised the current Labour Government’s handling of immigration, claiming the Prime Minister is “up to his neck in this”.
Rupert Lowe demanded that the Prime Minister declare a ‘national emergency’ on illegal migration
GB News / PA
“If it means we have to round people up and deport, and that’s what we have to do,” Lowe stated.
A confidential report commissioned by Thames Water has revealed that as many as one in 12 Londoners may be living in the capital illegally.
The study, obtained through a Freedom of Information request, suggests up to 585,000 illegal migrants are currently residing in London.
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp called the reported figures “deeply alarming”.
Lowe outlined proposals for dealing with illegal migrants, suggesting they should be housed in “tented camps” on a UK island.
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“Put them on a West Coast island with a limited, uncomfortable tented camp and minimal food, and encourage them then to go back to where they came from and apply to come back legally,” he said.
The Reform UK MP claimed most arrivals are economic migrants rather than asylum seekers.
He criticised the current immigration system as “weak,” suggesting much of the process relies on applicants’ own statements.
Lowe expressed concern about voting rights, stating: “What worries me is, after six years if we’re not very careful, these people have full voting rights.”
Lowe told GB News that migrants could be housed on a ‘UK island’
GB News
He pointed to Australia’s approach as a model to follow. “The Australians have shown us what to do. You only have to look. They stop the boats coming, and then people realise it’s a waste of time, spending whatever it is 500 euros to get here,” he said.
Lowe called for Britain to exit various international treaties beyond the ECHR to “take back control of our own borders.”
A Home Office spokesman said: “This Government is strengthening global partnerships and rooting out the criminal gangs who profit from small boat crossings which threaten lives.
“We have also removed 16,400 illegal migrants in just six months, the highest figure in half a decade, making it clear that those who arrive illegally will be returned.”
Politics
Reform UK MPs Lee Anderson and Richard Tice demand death penalty debate after Axel Rudakubana handed ‘unduly lenient’ 52-year sentence
Reform UK MPs have ramped up calls for a debate around the death penalty after Southport’s remorseless killer Axel Rudakubana was handed an “unduly lenient” 52-year-sentence.
Ashfield MP Lee Anderson, Boston & Skegness MP Richard Tice and Great Yarmouth MP Rupert Lowe all demanded a conversation about the reintroduction of capital punishment.
Sharing an image of a hangman’s noose, Anderson said: “This is what is required.”
Tice added: “I don’t think we should be afraid of having a national debate on important big issues like this. I think that many people in the country would like at least a debate.”
Lowe also claimed that it was now “time for a national debate” on the use of capital punishment “in exceptional circumstances”.
The death penalty was only officially abolished in Britain in 1998.
However, Peter Anthony and Gwynne Owen Evans were the last people executed in the UK back in 1964.
Following Rudakubana’s sentencing yesterday, a petition was launched on the Houses of Parliament website demanding the abolition of whole life orders and reintroduction of the death penalty.
Judge Mr Justice Goose was unable to hand Rudakubana a whole life order because he was just nine days away from turning 18 at the time of the horrific attack last July.
Southport’s Labour MP Patrick Hurley said the 52-year sentence was “not severe enough” and asked Attorney General to review the sentence as “unduly lenient”.
Attorney General Lord Hermer and Solicitor General Lucy Rigby have 28 days to decide whether to refer the sentence to the Court of Appeal.
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‘Shut up!’ Badenoch instructs ‘unhelpful’ ex-PM Truss to keep quiet
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has instructed her former Cabinet colleague Liz Truss to keep quiet during a meeting last week.
Speaking to her Shadow Cabinet, the Leader of the Opposition suggested the former Prime Minister should “shut up for a while” and “stop making unhelpful interventions”.
Despite four sources confirming comments were made about Truss, Badenoch’s spokesman said she did not use the phrase “shut up”.
Politics
Patrick Christys: I love Great Britain, but our politicians and authorities are making it unbearable
I love Great Britain. But today, Great Britain hit rock bottom.
The walking, talking advert for the death penalty, Axel Rudakubana, was sentenced for the Southport massacre.
He showed no remorse. He kicked off in the dock. And he is evil personified.
But how was he allowed to do this? Caught with a knife 10 times, reeported to Preevent 3 times, he called ChildLine and said he wanted to kill someone, they called the police, the police went round and didn’t do anything.
Patrick Christys says Britain HAS to get a grip
GB NEWS
The authorities have blood on their hands.
But as Britain’s biggest monster began his 52-year prison sentence today, I looked around at the other news.
A man in a balaclava allegedly stabbed five people in Croydon today.
Last night when I got home I saw about a stabbing spree in Plymouth – a 40-year-old woman died. The suspect is still on the run.
Look at The Sun today – A 12-year-old boy was walking through a park in Birmingham and was stabbed in the stomach.
A 14-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of his murder.
Yesterday, a man admitted killing his ex-girlfriend and her sister with a crossbow and their mother with a knife after he broke into their home.
Paedophiles caught with hundreds or even thousands of indecent images of children are not being sent to prison. They’re allowed back out onto the streets to just live their lives.
This is ridiculous.
A man was caught with a loaded AK-47 in Leeds – he had 30 rounds of live ammunition. He got 5 years in prison, he’ll be out in two and a half.
We’ve got illegal immigrants running rampant – one in 12 people in London are here illegally.
Just today an asylum seeker driving an uninsured vehicle was sent to prison after he smashed into a nurse and broke her spine three weeks before her wedding.
That’s before I’ve mentioned the catalogue of asylum seeker rapists that we have over here.
There was one bit from today’s sentencing of Axel Rudakubana that stood out to me as well.
The judge there, despite everything we heard in court today, at pains to say Axel Rudakubana wasn’t to blame for the summer disorder.
Well I think he was, now I’m not condoning the torching of a migrant hotel or any of that stuff but whether Rudakubana is to blame or not is irrelevant – it’s ALL of it, isn’t it!
It’s all of it. Every day we see news stories like the ones I’ve rattled off here.
Every day we get damning figures, like this morning the Home Office revealing the number of foreign national offenders living in the UK has tripled in the last seven years.
Or two thirds of sexual assaults in London being committed by foreigners.
It’s all of it! It’s every day. And it’s so avoidable. Don’t let wrong’uns into the country. Deport the ones we have now. Don’t miss all the warning signs from a lunatic like Axel Rudakubana who has literally screamed the fact he was going to be a serial killer from the age of about 13.
Our politicians should hang their heads in shame for all the crime we have but our authorities should do for everything.
I love Great Britain – but they are making it unbearable.
We have to get a grip.
Politics
Chopper's Political Podcast: UK terrorism agency needs reform says Tom Tugendhat after Rudakubana failings
Sit back, pour yourself a drink and join GB News Political Editor Christopher Hope at his regular table in a Westminster pub where he will discuss the latest insider political intrigue and gossip with everyone from popstars to politicians.
New episodes released every Friday.
Politics
Former security minister urges Government to ‘improve’ Home Office scheme ‘not scrap it’
Home Office’s Prevent programme should be “improved” not scrapped, says former Security minister Tom Tugendhat as Axel Rudakubana was jailed for 52 years for attacking and killing children in Southport last year.
The Government has launched a review of the Prevent programme after it emerged Rudakubana was referred to Prevent three times between 2019 and 2021, yet went on to commit his bloody murders in July last year.
Tugendhat – who was Security minister between 2022 and 2024 – was asked on Chopper’s Political Podcast whether he felt that Prevent should be axed.
He replied: “No, I wouldn’t. I would improve it.”
Home Office’s Prevent programme should be “improved” not scrapped, says former Security minister Tom Tugendhat as Axel Rudakubana was jailed for 52 years for attacking and killing children in Southport last year
Getty/ GB News
Tugendhat urged ministers to implement the recommendations in a review of Prevent by Sir William Shawcross.
He told today’s Chopper’s Political Podcast: “I would look at the Shawcross report – there’s a huge amount in there that we were able to get done. And there’s bits that we weren’t able to get done because they take time to introduce.
“And part of it is about making sure you’re ‘triaging’ properly. So you’re getting stuff in line in the appropriate way and you’re responding appropriately.”
Tugendhat – who was Security minister between 2022 and 2024 – was asked on Chopper’s Political Podcast whether he felt that Prevent should be axed
GB News
He added: “We need to get better at identifying triggers, as it were, on people.
“And when people have radicalised themselves or been radicalised to find out where we’re going.
“That’s why the Prevent aspect is so important.”
Listen or watch Chopper’s Political Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or GB News’ YouTube channel.
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