Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Sunak wants to ensure all pupils in England study maths until age 18

The prime minister will set out his commitment to deliver for the long term on issues such as low numeracy rates.

Sunak wants to ensure all pupils in England study maths until age 18

British prime minister Rishi Sunak wants to ensure that all school pupils in England study some form of maths to the age of 18.

Sunak will set out his priorities for 2023 on Wednesday (4), using his first speech of the year to try to reassure his restive Conservative Party that he has what it takes to lead them into the next national election.


Billed by his Downing Street office as a speech to set out his priorities for the year ahead and ambition for a better future for Britain, Sunak, 42, will set out his commitment to deliver for the long term on issues such as low numeracy rates.

"This is personal for me. Every opportunity I've had in life began with the education I was so fortunate to receive," he will say.

"And it's the single most important reason why I came into politics: to give every child the highest possible standard of education... With the right plan - the right commitment to excellence - I see no reason why we cannot rival the best education systems in the world."

In excerpts of the speech released on Tuesday (3) evening, his office gave away little more about his plans beyond introducing maths to all students up to age 18 to improve poor numeracy, described by the OECD as affecting "particularly large proportions of adults in England".

After one failed attempt at becoming prime minister last year, Sunak took on the job after his predecessor, and one-time rival, Liz Truss was forced from power in October after just 44 days when markets rejected her unfunded tax-cutting plans.

Since then, he has faced a myriad of problems - thousands of workers have gone on strike to protest over pay, the health service is in crisis, inflation is hovering around 40-year highs and economists see Britain slipping into a long recession.

Wednesday's speech will be as much a statement of intent as a reply to critics who doubt whether the man, who failed to win against Truss in the Conservative leadership race in September, has what it takes to help the party win the next election.

But Sunak, who has emphasised his humble beginnings to combat those who criticise the former hedge fund partner's wealth, is sure to go further to set out how he will reach the goals he set out on New Year's Eve on Twitter.

Then he said he wanted people to feel pride in their country, to be less anxious about inflation, energy bills and the National Health Service, and to trust in fairness, something he said could be achieved by tackling illegal migration.

The speech will not come too soon for those in his governing Conservative Party who see little chance of winning the next election, expected in 2024.

With the opposition Labour Party holding a strong lead in opinion polls, some Conservative lawmakers and ministers have for weeks called on their leader to act and set out his vision to try to pull Britain out of its tailspin.

(Reuters)

More For You

Sir Sajid Javid leads commission 'tackling social divisions'

Sir Sajid Javid (Photo by Tom Nicholson-WPA Pool/Getty Images)

Sir Sajid Javid leads commission 'tackling social divisions'

A cross-party group has been formed to tackle the deep divisions that sparked last summer's riots across England. The new commission will be led by former Tory minister Sir Sajid Javid and ex-Labour MP Jon Cruddas.

The Independent Commission on Community and Cohesion has backing from both prime minister Sir Keir Starmer and Tory leader Kemi Badenoch. It brings together 19 experts from different political parties and walks of life.

Keep ReadingShow less
​Masum

Masum was seen on CCTV trying to steer the pram away and, when she refused to go with him, stabbed her multiple times before walking away and boarding a bus. (Photo: West Yorkshire Police)

West Yorkshire Police

Habibur Masum convicted of murdering estranged wife in front of baby

A MAN who stabbed his estranged wife to death in Bradford in front of their baby has been convicted of murder.

Habibur Masum, 26, attacked 27-year-old Kulsuma Akter in broad daylight on April 6, 2024, stabbing her more than 25 times while she pushed their seven-month-old son in a pram. The baby was not harmed.

Keep ReadingShow less
Air India flight crash
Air India's Boeing 787-8 aircraft, operating flight AI-171 to London Gatwick, crashed into a medical hostel complex shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad on June 12.
Getty Images

India declines UN investigator’s participation in Air India crash probe: Report

INDIA has declined a request from the United Nations aviation agency to allow one of its investigators to observe the probe into the Air India crash that killed 260 people in Ahmedabad on June 12, Reuters reported, citing two senior sources familiar with the matter.

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) had offered to provide assistance by sending one of its investigators, following the crash of the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner earlier this month. It was an unusual move, as ICAO typically deploys investigators only upon request from the country leading the investigation.

Keep ReadingShow less
Anna Wintour

Wintour’s style of leadership earned her the nickname “Nuclear Wintour”

Getty Images

Anna Wintour steps down as editor of US Vogue after 37 years

Key points

  • Anna Wintour steps down as editor of US Vogue after 37 years
  • She will remain Vogue’s global editorial director and hold senior roles at Condé Nast
  • Wintour transformed US Vogue into a global fashion authority
  • The 75-year-old has received numerous honours, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom

End of an era at US Vogue

Anna Wintour has stepped down as the editor of US Vogue, bringing to a close a 37-year tenure that redefined the publication and saw her become one of the most influential figures in global fashion.

The announcement was made on Thursday (26 June) during a staff meeting in New York. Wintour, 75, will no longer oversee the day-to-day editorial operations of Vogue’s US edition. However, she will continue to serve as Vogue’s global editorial director and Condé Nast’s chief content officer, maintaining senior leadership roles across the company.

Keep ReadingShow less
Post Office scandal trials 'unlikely before 2028'

FILE PHOTO: A Post Office van parked outside the venue for the Post Office Horizon IT inquiry at Aldwych House on January 11, 2024 in London. (Photo: Getty Images)

Post Office scandal trials 'unlikely before 2028'

THE people responsible for the Post Office Horizon scandal may not face trial until 2028, according to the senior police officer leading the investigation.

Commander Stephen Clayman has said that the process is taking longer because police are now looking at a wider group of people, not just those directly involved in decisions about the faulty Horizon computer system, reported the Telegraph.

Keep ReadingShow less