Lord Peter Mandelson has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in a public office, the Metropolitan Police has said.
The former US ambassador, who was sacked in September 2025, is alleged to have shared confidential government information with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein when he was business secretary.
His arrest follows search warrants carried out at two properties in Wiltshire and Camden, police said.
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: “Officers have arrested a 72-year-old man on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
“He was arrested at an address in Camden on Monday, February 23 and has been taken to a London police station for interview.”
The announcement came as government ministers gave an update on the release of swathes of files related to the appointment of Lord Mandelson.
The ex-Labour peer stepped down from the House of Lords earlier this month after emails released by the US Department of Justice appeared to show him sharing sensitive information with Epstein.
Sir Keir Starmer has faced growing scrutiny over his decision to appoint Lord Mandelson as US ambassador including a backlash from his own back benches.
Just days ago an advisory firm co-founded by Lord Mandelson collapsed into administration amidst the fallout from the scandal surrounding his historical links to the paedophile financier.
Key Points
- BREAKING: Lord Peter Mandelson arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office
- Police statement in full as Lord Peter Mandelson arrested
- Reform promises ICE-style 'UK Deportation Command'
- 'Reform wants to divide our country', Labour says
- Starmer sets out £4bn SEND reform package
What is Misconduct in Public Office? Peter Mandelson’s arrest explained
17:45 , Nicole Wootton-CanePolice have confirmed this afternoon that former US ambassador Lord Peter Mandelson has been arrested at his Camden home.
The ex-Labour peer is being questioned on suspicion of misconduct in a public office, the police statement said.
But what does this offence mean? The Independent takes a look below:
What is Misconduct in Public Office? Peter Mandelson’s arrest explained
Police statement in full as Lord Peter Mandelson arrested
17:35 , Nicole Wootton-CaneLord Peter Mandelson has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in a public office, the Metropolitan Police have confirmed.
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: “Officers have arrested a 72-year-old man on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
“He was arrested at an address in Camden on Monday, February 23 and has been taken to a London police station for interview.
“This follows search warrants at two addresses in the Wiltshire and Camden areas.”
Lord Mandelson arrested at Camden home
17:27 , Nicole Wootton-CaneFootage shown by broadcasters shows a plain clothed police officer leading Lord Mandelson out of a house.
Lord Mandelson then gets into the left rear seat of a waiting unmarked Ford Focus police car.
The male police officer then gets into the right rear passenger seat.
A female police officer gets into the front seat of the car before it is driven away.
BREAKING: Lord Peter Mandelson arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office
17:16 , Nicole Wootton-CaneLord Peter Mandelson has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office, the Metropolitan Police said.
Starmer confirms government are considering succession of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor
16:45 , Dan Haygarth'A grotesque display'
16:30 , Dan HaygarthNatasha Tsangarides, associate director of advocacy at charity Freedom from Torture, has accused Zia Yusuf of "a grotesque display of ethno-nationalist, authoritarian cruelty" following his speech on Reform's immigration policies.
She added: "His divisive and dangerous proposals threaten to divide families and wreak terror and chaos in our communities.
“Under a Reform government, the survivors that we support every day would face the very real risk of deportation and return to persecution.
“Threats to leave the European Convention on Human Rights are a direct attack on the rights that protect all of us, including the absolute ban on torture."
She warned: "This kind of political theatre brings only hate and division; it’s a further advance of the populist playbook that demonises migrants to grab power and erode legal safeguards."
Starmer orders ethics chief to investigate Labour minister over targeting of reporters
16:15 , Dan HaygarthSir Keir Starmer has ordered his ethics watchdog to investigate a cabinet office minister, following claims a Labour think tank paid for an investigation into journalists.
Joshn Simons has faced calls to resign from his ministerial post after reports Labour Together, which he ran before entering government, paid a PR firm to look into the personal background of a journalist in 2023.
‘I’ve been in Britain for my whole adult life. I don’t know what I would do under Reform’s immigration plans’
16:02 , Dan HaygarthKaelynn Narita, an American research manager has built a life in London, but her future could be thrown into jeopardy by Reform’s plans to scrap indefinite leave to remain. Read more:
‘I’ve been in the UK for my adult life but I fear for my future under Reform’s plans’
Farage says he was barred from Chagos Islands— Here’s the truth
15:50 , Dan HaygarthGorton and Denton by-election is 'battle of values', Starmer says
15:37 , Dan HaygarthSir Keir Starmer said only Labour can beat Reform UK in a “battle of values” in Gorton and Denton.
On a campaign visit to the constituency, the prime minister said: “This is a battle of values in this by-election.
“The values of the Labour Party, which wants to bring communities together in unity and hope, or the toxic division of Reform that wants to tear our communities apart, that wants to break apart everything that we’ve stood for, for years and years in this country.”
Labour faces a challenge from both Reform and the Green Party to hold onto the Greater Manchester seat.
Keir Starmer campaigns in Gorton and Denton
15:09 , Dan HaygarthThe prime minister is in the Greater Manchester constituency where voters will go to the polls on Thursday.
Labour are defending a 13,000 vote majority but polls expect Reform and the Green Party to reform well - Sir Keir Starmer’s party has a fight on its hands to keep hold of what traditionally would be a heartland seat.
This long read below looks at the feeling among voters and what could happen on polling day.
Why this forgotten corner of Manchester could signal a turning point in UK politics
Badenoch plans to double apprentice numbers and cut university entrants
15:00 , Dan HaygarthKemi Badenoch has pledged to double the number of apprenticeships and cut university entrants by 100,000 as part of reforms to education funding.
The Conservative leader completed an engineering apprenticeship before going to university, and said she was having so much fun she did not want to leave.
She discussed the issue with apprentices during a visit to the Virgin Media O2 headquarters in Paddington, west London on Monday.
Mrs Badenoch said her party would reform education funding by cutting some university courses and transferring the money saved to apprenticeships.
The Conservatives previously said cutting the number of university entrants by 100,000 would save the Government £3.6 billion and fund the same number of extra apprenticeships for 18 to 21-year-olds, as part of a “new deal for young people”, according to the Sunday Times.
On Monday, Mrs Badenoch told the apprentices: “I remember when I finished my apprenticeship, I was having so much fun I didn’t want to leave.”
She discussed the need to “elevate” the prestige of apprenticeships, with Mrs Badenoch adding apprentice schemes “are actually a really fantastic way to learn and get in the workplace”.
My late brother’s struggles in school inspired Send overhaul, Starmer says
14:45 , Dan HaygarthSir Keir Starmer has revealed that his late brother’s “fight every day to be seen” in the classroom has inspired his £4bn overhaul of special educational needs (Send) to make the system more inclusive.
The prime minister said his brother Nick, who had learning difficulties, faced a constant battle in a system “that never had any expectations for him” and that the government’s plans to transform the system would bring an an end to the “one size fits all system”.
Read the full story below:
My late brother’s struggles in school inspired Send overhaul, Starmer says
Yusuf says UK Deportation Command will not face same issues as ICE
14:19 , Dan HaygarthReform UK’s proposed agency to carry out mass deportations will not become like Donald Trump’s ICE programme in the US, its home affairs spokesman has said.
Zia Yusuf said it is “not true” that the party’s plans for a UK Deportation Command will face the same issues as Mr Trump’s body, which saw an immigration crackdown in Minnesota lead to mass detentions, protests and two deaths.
Under a Reform government, the party would set up the unit to “track down, detain and deport” people in the country illegally, aiming for up to 288,000 people each year.
Mr Yusuf said it was “very tempting” and “somewhat inevitable” for people to make the comparison between Reform’s model and the US, but said the UK does not have the same problems with firearms and policing is “much more” done by consent.
Speaking at a press conference in Dover, he said: “So you know this notion that we’re going to have the same issues that come sharply into focus internationally as a result of Trump’s Ice programme – it’s just not true, we would not expect UK Deportation Command to carry weapons. It’s not going to be the case.
“But I also want to be clear that if you’re in this country illegally, they will detect you and they will detain you and they’ll deport you.”
He added: “If your question is: are we going to have the kind of situation that we saw in Minnesota in Britain as a result of our deportation programme? No.”
‘Nothing is off the table’ in response to Trump tariff threats, Downing Street says
14:10 , Nicole Wootton-CaneDowning Street has insisted “nothing is off the table” when it comes to the UK’s response to Donald Trump’s renewed threats of increased global tariffs amid speculation over whether Sir Keir Starmer will retaliate.
The US president has threatened to impose 15 per cent global tariffs in the wake of his defeat in the US Supreme Court, bringing the UK’s preferential tariff deal with the US into question.
Downing Street has insisted discussions between the UK and US are “happening at all levels”, but did not rule out reciprocal action if the increased levy came into place.
The Independent’s political reporter Athena Stavrou has this story:
‘Nothing is off the table’ in response to Trump tariff threats, Downing Street says
Watch: The Independent's David Maddox questions Reform UK on Cardiff status as 'sanctuary city'
13:45 , Nicole Wootton-CaneFarage accuses Starmer of being in 'weak negotiating position' over US tariffs
13:30 , Nicole Wootton-CanePrime minister Sir Keir Starmer is in a weak negotiating position with Donald Trump after blocking the US from using British military bases to strike Iran, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has said.
The US President has threatened to impose 15 per cent global tariffs in the wake of his defeat in the US Supreme Court.
Mr Farage told broadcasters: “The Trump tariffs, as announced a couple of days ago, will hurt us, which just goes to show that the relationship between us and Trump really matters.
“He’s going to be there for several more years to come, and I’m not sure this Prime Minister now is in a very strong position with Donald Trump.
“I think telling the Americans that they can’t use bases on UK soil to attack the appalling Iranian regime now puts us in a very, very bad place.
“I would suggest on tariffs right now, we don’t have a negotiating position.”
Fact check: Yusuf says British taxpayers spent £15bn on universal credit payments to foreign households over the last 18 months
13:15 , Nicole Wootton-CaneReform UK home affairs spokesperson Zia Yusuf said during a speech in Dover that "British taxpayers have been forced to spend £15 billion on universal credit welfare payments to foreign households in the last 18 months alone".
This claim appears based on data which covers January 2024 to June 2025 and likely includes payments to households with British citizens.
The data on this claim comes from a Centre for Migration Control blog post, which cited a freedom of information release from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). The DWP confirmed to the Press Association that the release is real.
The data shows that in the 18 months to 30 June 2025, a total of £15.12 billion was paid out to households with at least one person who is not a national of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man.
The payments going to these households may also be going to British and Irish citizens if - for example - a non-British national is married to a British person.
The release says that, for the purpose of the figures, nationality is self-declared and where claimants have multiple nationalities and one is British or Irish, they are defined as British.
So, households of people who immigrated to the UK and later gained British citizenship are excluded from the figures.
Yusuf said the rights of British citizens are being placed 'beneath those of criminals'
13:05 , Daniel HaygarthMr Yusuf said the rights of British citizens are being placed “beneath those of criminals” because of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).
The party has pledged to leave the treaty.
He listed what he said were examples of judges blocking the deportation of illegal migrants who had committed crimes.
“How many more people must die at the hands of those who should never have been in our country in the first place?” he said.
“How many more victims’ families must be devastated in this way when their rights are placed beneath those of criminals?
“The answer is none, Vote Reform. We will leave the ECHR and end this madness.”
How Nigel Farage’s plan to scrap indefinite leave to remain could put thousands at risk of deportation
12:55 , Dan HaygarthFarage says the plan would save over £200bn – but the figures have been called into question. Albert Toth reports:
How Farage’s plan for legal migration could put thousands at risk of deportation
Reform announces plans to "deport all illegal migrants"
12:43 , Dan HaygarthParty leader Nigel Farage with Reform UK's home affairs spokesman Zia Yusuf holding their party's plan, Operation Restoring Justice, to deport all illegal migrants in the UK.
Reform's aim of negative net migration would require significant new restrictions that could hit the economy, analysis warns
12:34 , Dan HaygarthReform have pledged to deliver net negative immigration but how realistic would that be to achieve? Home affairs correspondent Holly Bancroft reports:
Dr Madeleine Sumption, director of the University of Oxford's Migration Observatory, explains that it is not impossible, but "in today's world it would require significant new immigration restrictions".
She explained that the easiest leavers to pull to reduce migration are visa routes that are the "most economically beneficial, namely highly skilled people coming on work visas".
She added: "A UK government could probably push net migration into negative territory if it ended all work visas.
This includes work visas going to people whose high earnings mean they make large net contributions to public finances over the course of their lifetimes."
If that wasn't desirable then "another route to sustained zero or negative net migration would be to end the asylum system", Dr Sumption added.
"It is difficult to predict how likely this scenario is in practice, because it depends on whether the government was both willing and able to cooperate with countries like Afghanistan and Eritrea to send migrants and refugees back there—or to set up large-scale external camps in a third country or British territory. In practice, the government might well remain quite reliant on other countries’ willingness to cooperate with the UK."
Net migration has fallen 78 per cent in two years - down to 204,000 in the year ending June 2025. Fewer non-EU nationals have been coming to the UK for work and study, however experts think that falling net migration may not be sustained in the long term.
Dr Sumption predicts that a government taking office in 2029 is likely to inherit rising migration
Yusuf would ban “all face coverings in public”
12:25 , Dan HaygarthZia Yusuf said he backs a ban on “all face coverings in public” when asked by a reporter if he supported a Burka ban.
Last year, Mr Yusuf briefly quit the party after he described a question to the Prime Minister about a ban on burkas as “dumb”.
He told the press conference: “I personally support a ban on all face coverings in public… that’s actually a piece of legislation that has multiple bonuses to it because it’s going to aid integrations, it’s also going to help people feel safe.”
Conservatives say Reform has 'nothing new to offer'
12:24 , Dan HaygarthChris Phlip MP, Shadow Home Secretary, said:“Reform’s home affairs spokesperson has nothing new to offer beyond copying and pasting Conservative plans.
“Reform are a one man band. Only the Conservatives have a credible plan to control our borders through leaving the ECHR, deporting all illegal immigrants within a week and banning asylum claims from illegal entrants".
Yusuf expands on UK Deportation Command's role
12:24 , Dan HaygarthMr Yusuf says: “We’re going to deport hundreds of thousands of people across our first term.”
On that timeline, he adds: “It’s going to depend on some degree how quickly we will be able to pass the legislation and get that team staffed.
“Number one if you are in this country illegally, you should not expect to stay - you will be deported.
“Number two, this programme will the biggest mass deportation programme in this country’s history.”
'Cardiff will no longer continue to be a city of sanctuary', Farage says
12:19 , Dan HaygarthRegarding Cardiff and Sheffield’s status as ‘cities of sanctuary’ for asylum seekers and refugees, Nigel Farage and Zia Yusuf suggest Reform would change that. The two speak about launching their Welsh manifesto in the near future.
Responding to a question from The Independent’s David Maddox, Mr Farage says: “If we win the Welsh parliament elections, Cardiff will no longer continue to be a city of sanctuary.”
Zia Yusuf says UK is being 'invaded' by migrants
11:59 , Dan HaygarthFarage takes aim at Archbishops of Canterbury
11:53 , Dan HaygarthWhen asked about Reform’s plans to give churches listed status, the party leader says more people may attend churches if “we had rather better Archbishops of Canterbury”.
Analysis: Zia Yusuf outlines what he learnt from Jenrick and Braverman
11:51 , Dan HaygarthPolitical editor David Maddox reports from Dover:
It was always a question over why Zia Yusuf would square his past attacks on ex-home secretary Suella Braverman and former immigration Robert Jenrick before they defected to Reform UK.
Answering questions at the press conference in Dover, Mr Yusuf said he had “spoken to former minister including those who are now in our party” before putting his draconian policies together.
“They said that you can’t do what is necessary without the support of the prime minister,” he said, pointing to Mr Farage.
So now we know that they are there to blame Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak for their long record of failures in dealing with irregular migration.
Zia Yusuf promises Reform would introduce a 'UK Deportation Command'
11:50 , Dan HaygarthThe party plans to create a new “Trump inspired” deportation agency with the capacity to detain 24,000 migrants at a time, modelled on the controversial Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency in the US.
Yusuf takes aim at ECHR
11:42 , Dan HaygarthZia Yusuf as said the rights of British citizens are being placed “beneath those of criminals” because of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).
Speaking at a press conference in Dover, Mr Yusuf listed what he said were examples of judges blocking the deportation of illegal migrants who had committed crimes.
“How many more people must die at the hands of those who should never have been in our country in the first place?” he said.
“How many more victims’ families must be devastated in this way when their rights are placed beneath those of criminals?
“The answer is none, Vote Reform. We will leave the ECHR and end this madness.”
Yusuf claims UK is being 'invaded' by migrants.
11:40 , Dan HaygarthZia Yusuf said the UK is being “invaded” by migrants.
Reform UK’s new home affairs spokesman said his party would launch a programme to deport “all illegal migrants” in the country.
Defending his choice of language, he told the Dover audience: “I know many in the establishment gasp at that word.
“They may well clutch their pearls in the television studios, but the dictionary definition of invasion is an incursion by a large number of people in an unwanted way.
“Make no mistake, as home secretary, I will end and indeed reverse this invasion, because the patience of the British people is now exhausted.”
Reform's policies are 'cruel and economically self-defeating'
11:38 , Dan HaygarthHome Affairs correspondent Holly Bancroft reports:
Dr Dora-Olivia Vicol, CEO of the Work Rights Centre, has criticised Reform for wanting to emulate the US ICE deportations, saying it is a waste of money and will see families and communities torn apart. She said that plans to retrospectively strip people of their settled status in the UK would be "callous" and would "actively hurt our economy and public services".
Speaking about Reform's deportation proposals, she said: “This is a sadistic vision of UK families and communities being ripped apart, money being wasted, and the government turning against its own people."
Dr Vicol added: “Cancelling the immigration status of people who have settled and built their entire lives here would not only be callous, but actively hurt our economy and public services. People who hold ILR are our partners, neighbours, friends, teachers, NHS workers, and include high tax contributors. There is absolutely no reason to terminate their status other than for Reform’s own self-serving goals of division and chaos.
“These are proposals designed purely to grab headlines and stoke anger. They are cruel, economically self-defeating, and offer no solutions to the real problems facing people in Britain: poverty and exploitative work.”
Reform would increase stop and search powers
11:36 , Dan HaygarthZia Yusuf says Reform would see a “vast expansion” of stop and search powers, including “saturation policing” in high-crime areas.
Zia Yusuf says that Reform UK’s migration proposals are important to him
11:34 , Dan HaygarthAll churches would get listed status under Reform
11:33 , Dan HaygarthA Reform government would introduce a listed status for all churches, Mr Yusuf announces. He says this would ensure they are not converted into places of worship for any other faiths.
11:29 , Dan HaygarthAbout deportations, Mr Yusuf says: "There will not be a judge in the country who can prevent flights from leaving."
He says that he believes the country must leave the European Convention on Human Right and repeal the Human Rights Act.
'Visa freezes' announced
11:26 , Dan HaygarthZia Yusuf has announced plans to impose “visa freezes” on Pakistan, Afghanistan and Syria if the countries refuse to take back migrants with no legal right to stay in Britain.
The party’s new home affairs spokesman has unveiled proposals for the “immediate suspension of visa issuance” if the nations do not accept deportees, which would also apply to Eritrea, Sudan and Somalia.
Reform would leave ECHR if in government, Yusuf says
11:25 , Dan HaygarthZia Yusuf says a Reform government would leave the ECHR and deport “all of those (here) illegally”.
He adds: “If you come to this country illegally, you will never be granted asylum.”
Analysis: Is Farage really taking on the far right or copying it?
11:18 , Dan HaygarthReform’s leader spoke before Zia Yusuf’s speech began. Political editor David Maddox reports:
Nigel Farage has just said that “nobody has done more to take on the far right” in British politics than him.
It is a repost to the attacks from Labour that Reform is a far right party.
But his ways of “taking on the far right” appears to be copying their language about migrants “invasion” and called for “mass deportations”.
They also seem to be copying the Tommy Robinson line that Britain’s Christian heritage needs to be protected and promoted.
Indeed, their candidate for the Gorton and Denton by-election Matt Goodwin was very reluctant to distance himself from Robinson’s endorsement.
Today’s press conference seems in truth to be more about dealing with a threat on the right - the emergence of former Reform MP Rupert Lowe’s rightwing Restore UK party being launched.
Zia Yusuf begins to outline Reform UK’s migration proposals
11:15 , Dan HaygarthPolitical reporter Athena Stavrou reports:
Reform UK’s Zia Yusuf has begun to outline the measures he would take on migration were he to be elected as home secretary.
“This country has given me every opportunity. It gave me a tremendous education, the opportunity to start, build and sell a successful business,” he told a press conference in Dover.
“I’m eternally grateful, and that's why I'm in politics. I love my country, and it's why as home secretary, I will not allow the generosity of the Great British people to be taken advantage of.”
Social contract has been 'shattered', Yusuf says
11:12 , Dan HaygarthSpeaking about immigration, Zia Yusuf says: “That social contract has not merely been broken, it has been shattered”, adding that he believes “hospitality” in Britain has been extended to too many people.
Zia Yusuf has begun his speech
11:10 , Dan HaygarthAfter being introduced by Nigel Farage, Zia Yusuf has begun his speech.
'Shadow Home Secretary' title on Zia Yusuf's lectern
11:08 , Dan HaygarthZia Yusuf will deliver his speech from a lectern labelled ‘Shadow Home Secretary’.
He is not the actual shadow home secretary - that is Chris Philp from the Conservative Party, who are the official opposition as they have the second most MPs in the House of Commons.
Mr Yusuf’s new role with Reform was unveiled last week. He is not an MP but has been the party’s head of policy since November,
Zia Yusuf to speak at 11
10:53 , Dan HaygarthReform’s home affairs spokesperson will deliver his first speech in his new role at 11am.
Reform's plans will 'damage democracy, crash the economy, and make the UK a more hostile place'
10:39 , Dan HaygarthMinnie Rahman, CEO of human rights charity Praxis, said Reform's plans will "damage democracy, crash the economy, and make the UK a more hostile place".
She said: “Reform UK is offering a future where people’s rights are stripped away to push racist, xenophobic policies that spread hate and division.
“These plans won’t just target migrants - they will damage our democracy, crash the economy, and make the UK a more hostile place for all people of colour, regardless of immigration status.
"We only have to look at the United States to see where this road leads: children torn from their parents, communities living in fear of random detention, and a state that cannot be held to account.
"British people want libraries, not detention centres. More homes, not neighbours in handcuffs. A functioning NHS, not mass deportations.”
'Reform are once again stoking hatred towards migrant communities', says migrants rights group
10:27 , Dan HaygarthThe Independent’s Home Affairs Correspondent Holly Bancroft reports:
Ahead of Zia Yusuf's speech on Reform UK's immigration plans, Andreea Dumitrache, from the migrants rights group the3million, told The Independent: “It is despicable that Reform are once again stoking hatred towards migrant communities.
“Stripping people of their rights after they’ve built lives, families and futures in the UK is fundamentally unfair. Importing the worst aspects of the US model, with large-scale detention and aggressive raids, would only sow fear and cause harm. These racist policies would benefit no one.
“We urge the government to stop pandering to anti-migrant rhetoric and instead stand up for fairness.”
What else will Zia Yusuf set out today?
10:02 , Dan HaygarthOther home affairs policies Zia Yusuf will set out today include:
- A promise to impose “visa freezes” on Pakistan, Afghanistan and Syria if the countries refuse to take back migrants with no legal right to stay in Britain.
- Immediate listed status granted to all churches to “legally prevent their conversion into mosques or other places of worship” as part of “protecting Britain’s Christian heritage”.
- Immediate termination of Universal Credit welfare payments to foreign nationals.
- Charter flights to run five times daily, supported by a standby RAF Voyager aircraft.
- Police to be stripped of diversity, equity, and inclusion mandates.
Reform said costings would be set out at the event on Monday when asked for its calculations.
'Too many children have been let down'
09:55 , Dan HaygarthSchools standards minister Georgia Gould said “too many children are being let down” as they have been unable to find a place within their local community.
Asked if inclusion works is the organising principle of the reforms, she told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “Absolutely. We want children to be educated in their community with their friends.
“And I have travelled around the country talking to young people, to parents, and there is nothing more distressing than talking to a young person who is desperate to be in education, desperate to be supported by teachers and with their friends, but have found themselves unable to find a place within their local community. And that has to change. Too many children are being let down.
“And you know, I know from talking to teachers and schools, this is something they want to do, but they haven’t had the right tools and resources, and that’s why today, we’re announcing £4 billion of investment to wrap around schools to really make sure that every school is able to provide the support children need, whether that’s access to a speech and language therapist, whether that’s that additional staff member or the training to be able to really meet the needs of children.”
'Substantial reform is desperately needed so that they get the support they need'
09:35 , Dan HaygarthResponding to the schools white paper, Cllr Louise Gittins, chair of the local government association, said: “For too long, the SEND system has been failing children, young people and their families. Substantial reform is desperately needed so that they get the support they need.
“We're pleased the government shares our aspiration that children with SEND who require support do so in a mainstream setting where appropriate; and that all children can reach their potential.
“Councils want every child to get the support they need without parents and carers necessarily having to apply for a statutory plan.
“For improved mainstream inclusion to be successful, all settings need to be empowered and resourced to meet the needs of children and young people with SEND, with a workforce that has the capacity and right skills.
“Councils have a key role to play and will need powers to lead local SEND systems and to hold health and education partners to account, to make sure they are meeting children’s needs.
“The LGA looks forward to studying, responding and working with government and partners on the White Paper to ensure it meets the needs of children and their families.”
Starmer sets out £4bn SEND reform package
09:10 , Dan HaygarthThe current system for supporting children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) “does not work”, Sir Keir Starmer said, as he set out a £4 billion reform package.
Mainstream schools in England will receive direct funding to support Send children as part of a plan to make the system more inclusive.
Targeted interventions such as small-group language work will be invested in, as well as help for staff to introduce adaptive teaching styles, as part of a major government overhaul.
Some £1.6 billion over three years will be provided to early years, schools and colleges through an “inclusive mainstream fund”.
Another £1.8 billion over the same period will go towards creating an “experts at hand” service, made up of specialists such as SEND teachers and speech and language therapists in every area.
Schools will be able to draw from this bank on demand regardless of whether pupils have education, health and care plans (EHCPs) – legal documents setting out the support children with Send are entitled to – the Department for Education (DfE) said.
'For so many children, they are held back by a system that doesn’t work for them', Starmer says of Send reforms
08:54 , Dan HaygarthElsewhere, mainstream schools will receive direct funding to support children with special educational needs and disabilities (Send) as part of a £4 billion package to make the system more inclusive.
Targeted interventions such as small-group language work will be invested in, as well as help for staff to introduce adaptive teaching styles, as part of a major Government overhaul to be announced on Monday.
Some £1.6 billion over three years will be provided to early years, schools and colleges through an “inclusive mainstream fund”.
Sir Keir Starmer said the reforms would help youngsters make the most of their talents.
At a breakfast meeting with school leaders and charities in Downing Street, the prime minister said: “For so many children, they are held back by a system that doesn’t work for them.”
The prime minister referred to his own brother Nick, who died on Boxing Day 2024, who had struggled with learning difficulties and was “put to one side”, adding that “his life was very different from mine” because the system did not work for him.
“I’m not saying for a moment there haven’t been huge improvements since then, but that same sense is still there of children who cannot find the opportunities and chances they need to go as far as their talents and their ability will take them,” Sir Keir said.
'Reform wants to divide our country', Labour says
08:32 , Dan HaygarthAbout Mr Yusuf’s upcoming speech, Labour Party chairwoman Anna Turley said: “Reform wants to divide our country, not deliver for the British people.
“Their plan to deport people who have followed the rules, worked hard and built their lives here – our friends, neighbours and colleagues – is a direct attack on settled families and fundamentally un-British.”
She added: “The British people are right to expect firm control of our borders – with clear rules about who can come here and swift action against those with no right to be here – alongside action to make our country safe – and that is what Labour is delivering.”
Reform accused of launching a 'direct attack on settled families'
08:29 , Dan HaygarthAmnesty International UK has accused Reform UK of scapegoating migrants to “justify mass deportations and expanded police surveillance”
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Reform plans ICE-style borders agency for UK under new migration plan
Reform to outline plans for ICE-style UK border agency
08:25 , Dan HaygarthThe plans for a new deportation agency would have the capacity to detain 24,000 migrants at a time and deport up to 288,000 annually, Reform said, as well as promising to run five deportation flights each day.
Ms Yusuf is expected to say: “For decades, the Tories and Labour have turned the other way while the very fabric of our society has been under assault.
“The social contract has not merely been broken; it’s been shattered. Under a Reform government, His Majesty’s Parliament will be sovereign once again.
“We will secure our borders, leave the ECHR and deport those here illegally. My message to the British people is simple: I will secure our borders and make you feel safe.”