Ministers will unveil a generational overhaul of special educational needs and disabilities (Send) support, pledging 4bn to transform provision in schools in England and warning councils they could lose control of Send services if they fail to meet their legal duties. The reforms are expected to be a key policy moment for Keir Starmer and for the education secretary, Bridget Phillipson who delayed the changes last autumn after a ferocious backlash from MPs and parents.
The spat over 1,000 feet of Morrison Canyon Road reflects a question that applies at all levels of government: Do elected officials serve voters broadly or a few wealthy donors? The current issue is whether Fremont controls the road that the Alameda County Board of Supervisors ceded to Christopher George, who has now blocked access with a gate. But it is part of a longer battle that has included the board considering George's request for the land after his company
An independent investigation found that San Leandro Councilmembers Victor Aguilar Jr. and Fred Simon retaliated against Councilmember Xouhoa Bowen and engaged in gender-biased and abusive conduct following her vote to censure them in November 2024. This finding should concern every San Leandro resident. Disagreements are inevitable in public service, but retaliation, harassment and gender-based abuse are wholly unacceptable - especially from elected officials entrusted with serving the public.
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.