Unions Demand Urgent Government Action to Address School Violence

Unions Demand Urgent Government Action to Address School Violence

Following recent violent incidents in schools, union leaders call for increased safety measures and better youth services.

Union leaders have urged the Government to take immediate action to address rising violence in schools after a violent incident at The Birley Academy in Sheffield, where two adults and a child were injured. A 17-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after the attack on Wednesday, which follows a stabbing incident just a week earlier at Amman Valley School in Wales, where two teachers and a pupil were injured.

Daniel Kebede, the general secretary of the National Education Union (NEU), condemned the violence, stating that it was unacceptable for staff and students to feel unsafe in their schools. He called for a public health approach similar to the one implemented in Scotland in the 1990s, which aimed to tackle youth violence comprehensively. Kebede emphasised the urgent need to reinvest in youth services that had once played a key role in preventing violence.

Patrick Roach, general secretary of the NASUWT teaching union, expressed concern for the wellbeing of both staff and students affected by the Birley Academy incident. He stressed the importance of providing adequate support for those impacted by such traumatic events.

While violent incidents involving weapons are still relatively rare in UK schools, unions have raised alarm about the increasing levels of disruptive behaviour and violence among pupils in recent years. A recent Government survey revealed that only 39% of pupils in England felt safe at school every day, a statistic that has sparked further concern over the state of school environments.

The Department for Education’s (DfE) research also found a decline in the number of school leaders and teachers who reported that their schools were “calm and orderly.” Tom Bennett, a behaviour advisor to the DfE, warned that violence in schools, although not frequent, was a significant indicator of deeper problems within school environments. Bennett highlighted that violence is only the “tip of the iceberg” and pointed out that teachers and students deserve safe and peaceful workplaces.

In response to the Sheffield incident, Education Secretary Gillian Keegan expressed her distress, offering her support to the school community. Keegan confirmed that the Government was in contact with the academy and extended her thoughts to those affected by the situation.

The Government has already committed resources to addressing youth violence, including funding 20 Violence Reduction Units across England and Wales. These initiatives have reached over 271,000 vulnerable young people through early intervention programmes. Additionally, the Government has invested £200 million into the Youth Endowment Fund to help identify effective strategies for preventing serious violence. Specialised support in schools is also being bolstered, with over £50 million dedicated to helping schools in areas where violence impacts children the most.

Despite these efforts, unions maintain that more must be done to ensure the safety of staff and pupils in schools, and they continue to push for a stronger, more comprehensive approach to combat youth violence and disruptive behaviour in educational settings.

Rishi Sunak Supports Independent Probe into Controversial Donation to Welsh FM

Rishi Sunak Supports Independent Probe into Controversial Donation to Welsh FM

Prime Minister calls for transparency over £200,000 donation linked to Vaughan Gething’s leadership campaign.

Rishi Sunak has endorsed calls for an independent inquiry into a significant donation received by Vaughan Gething, the Welsh First Minister, amid growing concerns of a potential conflict of interest. The donation, totalling £200,000, was made by Dauson Environmental Group, owned by David Neal, a man previously convicted of environmental offences. Gething received the funds during his campaign to become the leader of Welsh Labour in early 2021.

During Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday, Sunak described the matter as “incredibly important,” emphasising the need for transparency and a thorough investigation. The donation has sparked controversy, with opposition parties questioning whether it constitutes a conflict of interest, particularly given Neal’s links to the Welsh government’s Development Bank.

Gething, however, has consistently defended the donation, insisting that all rules and regulations were followed. He stated that he had no involvement in any decisions concerning Dauson Environmental Group or the Development Bank of Wales, and maintained that there was no conflict of interest in accepting the funds.

Despite Gething’s insistence that the process was transparent, he has faced mounting pressure. A Conservative motion is scheduled for a vote in the Senedd, calling for the appointment of an independent adviser to investigate any potential breaches of the ministerial code. In addition, Plaid Cymru has introduced a motion proposing a cap on the maximum amount of political donations an individual Member of the Senedd (MS) can receive annually.

The opposition’s concerns are compounded by the fact that Dauson Environmental Group’s subsidiary, Neal Soil Suppliers, received a loan of £400,000 from the Welsh government’s Development Bank in 2023, which was used to purchase a solar farm. Critics argue that this financial involvement raises questions about the influence of the donation on the Welsh First Minister’s actions.

While Gething rejected calls for an independent investigation into the donation, he appointed former First Minister Carwyn Jones to review the party’s electoral processes, including the scrutiny of campaign financing. The Dauson Group has also faced criticism for ongoing odour problems at its Pembrokeshire landfill site, with local MP Stephen Crabb, who represents the area, highlighting the concerns of his constituents during the Prime Minister’s Questions session.

Crabb pointed out that thousands of residents in Pembrokeshire had been living with foul air due to the landfill, which he described as an ongoing environmental problem. He also underscored the donation’s connection to the company and called for an independent investigation, arguing that the matter was far more than just an internal Labour Party issue.

In his response, Sunak agreed with Crabb, stressing that the issue required transparency and the need for answers. While Gething has previously argued that a “reasonable person” would not see a conflict of interest, the Prime Minister supported further examination into the matter, suggesting that the current situation lacked clarity.

As the controversy continues, the Welsh First Minister faces growing scrutiny from both the media and opposition parties, with the public awaiting a detailed investigation into the circumstances surrounding the £200,000 donation.