In one of the first major policy reversals following the General Election, Labour's new Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has officially scrapped her predecessor's controversial plan to enforce longer school days across England.
The policy, a personal flagship initiative of former Chancellor Jeremy Hunt, proposed making the school day 9am to 5pm for all pupils. It was a central pillar of the Conservative Party's election manifesto, touted as a way to improve educational outcomes and support working parents.
However, in a swift move that signals the new government's direction, Ms Phillipson has condemned the proposal as an "unfunded commitment" that would have placed an unbearable burden on already stretched school budgets and teaching staff.
An 'Unworkable' Burden for Schools
In her announcement, the Education Secretary was unequivocal in her criticism. She stated that the plan failed to account for the immense practical and financial challenges schools would face, from arranging additional staffing and resources to simply keeping children engaged for such extended periods.
"This was an unfunded commitment that would have piled more pressure onto school leaders and staff," a source close to Ms Phillipson confirmed. The move underscores Labour's intention to pursue its own educational agenda, focusing on what it deems more practical and fully costed reforms.
The End of a Conservative Legacy Policy
The abandonment of the extended hours policy represents a significant dismantling of a key Conservative education pledge. Jeremy Hunt had been a vocal proponent, arguing that longer days were essential for catching up on learning lost during the pandemic and for providing a safe and productive environment for children whose parents work full-time.
Its immediate dismissal by the incoming government highlights the stark ideological shift in education policy now underway in Westminster. The decision has been welcomed by many teaching unions, who had long expressed serious concerns about the viability and potential impact on teacher workload and wellbeing.
As the new Labour government begins its term, the focus now turns to its own promised reforms for the education sector, leaving Hunt's extended school day policy firmly on the political scrapheap.
