Tue Sep 10 17:00:01 UTC 2024: ## UK Government Launches Urgent Mission to Fix Foundations of Opportunity, Starting with Child Poverty

**London, UK** – The UK government has announced a new, urgent mission to tackle child poverty and ensure all children have access to a high-quality education, regardless of their background. This mission, outlined by Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson at the OECD Education at a Glance annual report launch, aims to rebuild the “foundations of opportunity” in Britain.

Phillipson highlighted the stark reality that one in ten pupils miss meals due to poverty and that a third of children leave primary school without meeting the expected standard in reading, writing, and math. This disparity, she argued, has its roots in the persistence of poverty and lack of access to early education and childcare.

“The British people know it: three in four of adults agree that a person’s background influences their outcomes in life,” said Phillipson. “It’s the luck of your background, rather than how hard you work, that all too often delivers success.”

To combat this, the government has formed a taskforce to address child poverty and is publishing a strategy in the spring. The mission will focus on:

* **Eradicating child poverty**: The government acknowledges that tackling child poverty is a top priority and crucial to leveling the playing field for all children.
* **Ensuring equity in education**: This includes high and rising standards for all children, with a focus on supporting great teachers and recruiting new talent.
* **Investing in early education and childcare**: The government is increasing funded childcare hours for working parents and working with childcare providers to ensure a smooth rollout.
* **Delivering a cutting-edge curriculum**: A review is underway to create a curriculum that is fit for the future and reflects the diverse needs of today’s students.
* **Reforming accountability**: The government has ended single headline Ofsted grades for schools and is moving to a clearer, broader, and more transparent reporting system.

Phillipson emphasized that the government is committed to a future where every child has the opportunity to succeed, regardless of their background. “We can’t let excellence in education be the reserve of a lucky few. It has to be for all, for everyone, forever.”

The launch of this ambitious mission signals a new beginning for education in the UK, with the government determined to rebuild the foundations of opportunity for all children.

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