Mairi McAllan is a Scottish politician, serving as the Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Transport in Holyrood and previously as a minister in devolved government.
A look across UK education stories as costs of schooling and school-life gear are debated. BBC reports Hull’s uniform-approval day; Independent highlights rising education costs; The Scotsman questions Scotland’s Welcome To School Bag budget while VAT cuts on family outings are rolled out across England.
Scottish exam results show pass rates rising across National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher, with record numbers of passes and a narrowing but persistent attainment gap between deprived and better-off pupils. Education Secretary McAllan describes the day as positive and pledges further action.
The Teaching Regulation Agency has found that Tandy L’Enfant, who led health and social care at Joseph Whitaker School, engaged in serious misconduct across multiple classes and examinations. She has been banned from teaching indefinitely, with a possibility to apply for the prohibition to be lifted in 2031. The findings highlight deliberate fraud and dishonesty in handling coursework and grades.
The UK government has announced plans to bar under‑16s from major social platforms and to restrict risky features, including livestreaming, stranger‑to‑stranger chats and romantic AI chatbots for under‑18s. Ministers say the measures will start next spring; critics warn the ban is rushed, risks driving children to unregulated services and could face legal challenges.
The Edinburgh International Festival cites the need to protect live performance, with a policy banning phones at Queen's Hall concerts after disruptions. Critics argue it signals a broader clash over audience behavior and artistic focus.