King's Speech 2024: Education

Labour’s manifesto sets out five missions which it said would rebuild the UK. One of these missions was to “break down barriers to opportunity by reforming our childcare and education systems, to make sure there is no class ceiling on the ambitions of young people in Britain”. The manifesto also contained Labour’s planned “first steps for change”, which included plans to recruit 6,500 teachers in key subjects, paid for by ending tax breaks for private schools. In a letter to those working in the education sector on 8 July 2024, newly appointed Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson confirmed Labour’s plans:

[…] this government will expand our early years education system, drive high and rising standards and reform curriculum and assessment. Work to recruit 6,500 new expert teachers for our schools and colleges starts now, and we will bring forward a comprehensive strategy for post‐16 education, work with local government to provide loving, secure homes for children in care, provide support for children with SEND and their families, and create higher-quality training and employment paths by empowering local communities to develop the skills people need. We will secure the future of our world class universities as engines of growth, ambition and opportunity for all.

The Library’s briefings for the King’s Speech draw on the Labour Party’s manifesto and other material in the public domain. They have been written in advance of the 2024 King’s Speech to help members of the House of Lords prepare for the debate on the speech. They do not constitute official information about the government’s intentions or provide a complete list of bills to be announced.