Education - Rachel Hopkins MP for Luton South & South Bedfordshire

Luton South MP backs Labour’s long-term plan to get children back to school

As recent figures reveal that school absences have reached historic levels under the Conservatives, Luton South MP Rachel Hopkins supports Labour’s plan to get children back to school in Luton and across the UK. In the 2022/2023 Autumn and Spring term, 23.7% of children in Luton were persistently absent from…

Protect Student Choice – Post-16 Education Bill

BTECs provide a key route into higher education and careers for many students, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Removing funding for BTECs will have a devastating impact on social mobility in Luton and across the UK. #ProtectStudentChoice Luton Sixth Form College

Addressing the Crisis in Children’s Mental Health

Children’s mental health has been ignored by this Tory Government for far too long. 60% of children referred to mental health services in BLMK Partnership are not seen within 4 weeks. Overstretched and underfunded charities in Luton deliver excellent support to our young people, but we shouldn’t have to rely…

Rachel Hopkins MP Calls on the Government to Adopt Labour’s Proposals for Apprenticeships

The Government should adopt Labour’s proposals to create apprenticeships across the Eastern region, says Rachel Hopkins MP Rachel Hopkins MP is calling on the Government to adopt Labour’s plan to create 8,271 new apprenticeships for young people in the Eastern Region ahead of National Apprenticeship Week. National Apprenticeships Week recognises…

Rachel Hopkins MP Signs Holocaust Educational Trust Book of Commitment

This week, Rachel Hopkins MP signed the Holocaust Educational Trust’s Book of Commitment. Rachel pledged her commitment to Holocaust Memorial Day, honoured those who were murdered during the Holocaust and paid tribute to the extraordinary Holocaust survivors who work tirelessly to educate young people today. This year is 77 years since…

Protect Student Choice

The Tory government’s plan to scrap BTECs will leave many students without a route to University or employment. The Department for Education accepts it will impact people from SEND, ethnic minority, and disadvantaged groups. Government must listen to employers and education professionals and #ProtectStudentChoice.

Mental Health Support In Schools

Access to free, timely counselling in schools can play a vital role in supporting students’ mental health. Yet, Government complacency has left CAMHS overwhelmed & schools without necessary resources. Labour would deliver access to trained mental health counsellors in every school.

Fund Our Children’s Future Protest

Maintained nurseries are the foundation of our education system. Yet the Government consistently undervalues their importance through underfunding and short-term settlements. I was pleased to join with parents, teachers and unions, including staff from Rothesay Road Nursery School in Luton South, at a protest outside Parliament. The Fund Our Children’s…

Labour Education Plan – Labour Party Conference 2021

Labour would make sure every child leaves school job-ready and life-ready. Labour would refocus the curriculum, deliver new opportunities for digital skills, practical work and life skills, sport and the arts, and access to a professional careers adviser, to make sure every child leaves school ready for work and ready…

Rachel Hopkins MP Welcomes Labour’s Bold Recovery Plan To Support Children In Luton South

Rachel Hopkins MP has accused the Conservatives of neglecting children’s futures after announcing a recovery package that is 10 times less than their education catch-up ‘tsar’, Sir Kevan Collins told them is needed. The Conservatives’ measly package provides nothing to boost children’s wellbeing or social development, despite parents saying this…

Free School Meals

Many constituents have contacted me regarding supporting the provision of free school meals to children in poverty. I wholeheartedly support Marcus Rashford and food poverty activists’ free school meal campaign in continuing to raise the issue of holiday hunger. Child poverty and holiday hunger were crises before the pandemic, but the…