Editorial

30 September 2025

Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his party are still smarting from a grassroots rebellion by Disabled people and their organisations which resulted in 126 Labour MPs coming out against ill-thought out and highly damaging benefit cuts. The Welfare Reform Bill 2025 only passed after compromises had been made: the withdrawal of cuts to Personal Independence Payment, bringing forward measures to get Disabled people into work, and the introduction of the Timms Review into PIP criteria (to be co-produced with Disabled people). But young claimants not in employment, training or education will still lose out, as will many on universal credit. 

In this issue we show the impact that Labour’s failure to reflate the economy has had on education, and Inclusive Education in particular. Our articles touch on themes including the failure to listen to the many voices that are proposing alternatives; the weakness of the New Ofsted Framework; and inclusive Sex and Relationships education. By contrast, the article on Tammy Harrison’s experience at school shows it does not take much to provide an inclusive school experience to a Disabled girl. 

The Government say they want a more Inclusive Education system in England, but at the same time will not commit to a more inclusive curriculum. Nor will it commit to maintaining Education Health and Care Plans and increasing funding, as required. The Government should start by enforcing the rights to reasonable adjustments as provided for by the Equality Act that Disabled children should already have. It should vary assessments to include all students, as well as introduce a much more flexible curriculum, and train all education workers in inclusive teaching and learning. Finally, it should empower Disabled children and their peers to claim their rights through understanding disablism and developing solidarity and empathy.