Kent and Surrey Bylines

24/12/2025

What we choose to snap on our phones reflects current culture | Charlotte Mbali

What we choose to snap on our phones reflects current culture

21/12/2025

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20/12/2025

Last week, I hosted a roundtable discussion with Headteachers, SENCOs and parents of children with SEND alongside representatives from the Department of Education, to discuss the ongoing SEND funding crisis and explore what is going wrong and what more can be done to ensure some of the most vulnerable children in our society are not failed.

It was heart-breaking to hear yet more desperate stories about children with documented needs on an EHCP (Educational Health and Care Plan) are no longer receiving adequate funding in some cases, and of Headteachers and SENCOs within my constituency who are working as hard as they can to ensure all children receive an excellent education, without adequate resources or funding.

Unfortunately, the blame for this sudden decrease in SEND funding throughout the constituency lies at the door of the Reform led Kent County Council who - despite being invited - did not attend this meeting. Their current policies and approach to engaging with key stakeholders, particularly Kent's Members of Parliament, alongside the delay in responding to any cases of concern (my office are now regularly waiting around 9 - 12 months for replies) are having a direct impact on children’s education and lives.

This cause is particularly important to me as before I became an MP, I worked in education supporting children with SEND . I will not give up the fight to raise the voices and concerns of those who are being failed by bad choices and governance.

20/12/2025

‘Since my husband died two weeks ago, I’ve been living on Weetabix. My account was frozen, and Universal Credit hasn’t started.’

No one should have to worry about whether they can afford food, especially after losing a loved one. 💔

But the rising costs of essentials, will push people to the brink this winter.

20/12/2025

After years of groups lobbying for it, the Erasmus+ scheme will now return to the UK! Here's a young NE4EU member telling the world's media on Brexit Day that her dreams of working in Travel and Tourism had been destroyed thanks to a Brexit vote she was too young to have a say in. Now the door is once again open for British youths...Erasmus+ is about working abroad not just studying there!

20/12/2025

Electronic waste continues to grow at a record pace. It is necessary to responsibly recycle these items to protect the environment and human health. | Charlotte Mbali

Electronic waste continues to grow at a record pace. It is necessary to responsibly recycle these items to protect the environment and human health.

18/12/2025

How the Christmas classic got its start as a cry of Ukranian liberty and defiance | Tetiana Toma

How the Christmas classic got its start as a cry of Ukranian liberty and defiance

16/12/2025

A former child refugee looks at how the new UK asylum and migrant policy would have hindered her family’s integration into UK society | Magdalena Williams

A former child refugee looks at how the new UK asylum and migrant policy would have hindered her family’s integration into UK society

13/12/2025

The wrong people are telling the story of Britain, and the story they tell is exhausted | Gerry Mitchell

The wrong people are telling the story of Britain, and the story they tell is exhausted

11/12/2025

In his first article on the state of the world’s oceans, Mike Phillips focuses on the challenges faced by the Mediterranean Sea | Mike Phillips

In his first article on the state of the world’s oceans, Mike Phillips focuses on the challenges faced by the Mediterranean Sea

10/12/2025

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09/12/2025

As parties like Reform UK and the Greens surge in the polls, support for the use of First Past the Post in UK elections is fading | Tetiana Toma