Ed Miliband criticised former prime minister Tony Blair’s recent statement on slavery and voiced support for Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham’s proposal for a formal apology, in remarks that have added to an increasingly heated public debate within the Labour movement. The foreign secretary, speaking amid the controversy, said the government would not change its position on reparations.
Miliband’s comments come as senior figures within Labour and across Westminster continue to wrestle with how to address historical injustices while navigating the political sensitivities that surround them. The exchange between leading politicians underscores divisions over tone and substance in the party’s approach to the legacy of slavery.
SEND reform delayed
Separately, Caroline Wheeler of the i reports that ministers have postponed publishing their response to a consultation on special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) reform. Officials had been expected to set out revised plans this month that would, the report says, emphasise greater support for children in mainstream schools and reduce reliance on individual education, health and care plans.
Multiple Whitehall sources told the i that the timetable for the Department for Education’s response has slipped into the new year, but the department declined to confirm when its revised plans would be published. The delay has prompted concern among campaigners and opposition figures that children with special educational needs face prolonged uncertainty.
Opposition criticism
Critics seized on the postponement to assail the government’s record on education. "Under Labour, educational standards and the requirements of children with special educational needs are being pushed down the agenda," said opposition figures. "Children with SEND can’t afford to wait any longer. They deserve a Government that listens and takes action — not more of the empty promises that have become a defining characteristic of Labour’s time in office."