Child poverty in the UK is widespread and deepening, with profound effects on children’s health, wellbeing and educational outcomes, and with disproportionate impacts on some communities.
A high-quality early years system improves children’s life chances and supports families, but current provision is fragmented, underfunded and too often shaped by private profit rather than children’s needs
The current system of provision for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) is not working.
NEET levels reflect structural failures, not a lack of motivation among young people.
A severe global shortage of qualified teachers is one of the biggest barriers to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4 and realising the right to education for all children.
School spending power has been cut across England and Wales, leaving most schools with lower real-terms funding than in 2010 and increasing pressure on staff, pupils and buildings.
Assessment across early years, primary, secondary and post-16 education remains overly high-stakes, narrow and closely tied to accountability.
Recent cuts to the United Kingdom’s aid budget and the deprioritisation of education within aid spending undermine global progress on education, gender equality and sustainable development.
Children and young people are exposed to significant harms online, while regulation and enforcement have not kept pace with the power and reach of large technology and social media companies.
Teacher pay has been cut sharply in real terms since 2010, making pay uncompetitive and damaging teacher living standards.
Concise factsheets for NEU activists, bringing together important, verified and up‑to‑date facts on a topic, providing a trustworthy evidence base that supports campaigning, organising, and member engagement.
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