Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has reaffirmed the Government’s decision to apply VAT on private school fees, dismissing concerns that it will cause widespread closures. Speaking on Camilla Tominey Today on GB News, Phillipson emphasized that private schools must adapt to market forces, as closures are not a new phenomenon.

“Private schools, as businesses, will face choices as to how they manage their money. Parents also have choices as to how they spend theirs,” Phillipson said. She acknowledged that falling demand could lead to some closures, but attributed this to broader demographic trends, including lower birth rates, rather than VAT alone.

When asked about the potential impact on the sector, she noted that private schools have closed “in significant numbers” for many years, reinforcing that the policy is not unprecedented. Phillipson remained resolute, stating, “The policy stands, and I see no reason to move away from it.”

The VAT policy has drawn criticism from parents and school administrators who fear rising costs will force more closures. However, Phillipson stressed that the government is focused on fairness in education and that private institutions must navigate financial challenges like any other business.

Support for Trump’s Ukraine Approach

Shifting to foreign policy, Phillipson also addressed the ongoing war in Ukraine, expressing support for former US President Donald Trump’s calls for diplomatic negotiations to end the conflict. She urged the UK government to take a more active role in peace efforts.

“We believe the British government should step up and play a bigger role,” Phillipson said, commending Trump’s initiative to bring warring parties to the negotiating table. She highlighted the economic repercussions of the conflict, including rising energy costs and broader instability, as key reasons for seeking a swift resolution.

Phillipson also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to increasing defence spending, suggesting that the target of 2.5% of GDP could be reached by 2028, earlier than the previously proposed 2030 timeline.

As debates over both private education funding and the UK’s role in global diplomacy continue, Phillipson’s firm stance on these issues ensures they will remain focal points in the coming months.

In a landmark shift for the James Bond franchise, Amazon MGM has partnered with long-time producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli to oversee the future of 007. While all three entities retain co-ownership of the Bond intellectual property, Amazon MGM will now lead creative decisions, marking a significant departure from its previously limited role.

The move follows Amazon’s $8.5 billion acquisition of MGM in 2021, which granted it partial ownership but little say in the franchise’s artistic direction. With Daniel Craig’s departure after 2021’s No Time to Die, speculation about the next James Bond has intensified. Jeff Bezos, Amazon’s founder and executive chairman, fueled the debate by asking his followers on social media platform X, “Who’d you pick as the next Bond?” The overwhelming response highlighted British actor Henry Cavill as a fan favorite. Known for roles in Superman, The Witcher, and Mission: Impossible – Fallout, Cavill previously auditioned for the role in 2006’s Casino Royale but lost to Daniel Craig. Director Martin Campbell praised Cavill’s audition but deemed him too young at the time. Now in his early forties, Cavill’s age could be a factor if long-term commitments are considered.

Daniel Craig acknowledged Wilson and Broccoli’s contributions, telling Variety, “My respect, admiration, and love for Barbara and Michael remain constant and undiminished.” With Wilson stepping back and Broccoli expected to reduce her involvement, Amazon MGM gains greater creative control, raising questions about the franchise’s future direction.

Fan speculation continues to swirl around Cavill, alongside other contenders like Taron Egerton, Tom Hardy, and Idris Elba. While Amazon MGM has yet to announce a timeline or reveal casting decisions, industry watchers anticipate a new era that may extend beyond traditional films, potentially including spin-offs, series, and streaming exclusives. As the studio reshapes Bond’s future, audiences worldwide eagerly await the next chapter in the iconic spy saga.

The global job market is experiencing its longest downturn in over 20 years, according to Dirk Hahn, CEO of Hays, Britain’s largest listed recruitment firm. Hahn attributes the slump to ongoing macroeconomic uncertainty, which is deterring both employers and job seekers from making moves.

Hays, which employs nearly 7,000 consultants worldwide, reported weaker demand for temporary workers in early 2025, while demand for permanent roles—particularly in Europe—remains sluggish following a pre-Christmas dip. Countries such as France, the UK, Ireland, and Germany, Hays’s largest market, are feeling the pressure most acutely.

In the six months leading up to December, Hays reported a 15% drop in group net fees, falling to £496 million from £583.3 million the previous year. Pre-tax profits fell sharply by 67% to £9.1 million, compared to £27.6 million during the same period the prior year. Hays’s share price, already down 25% over the past year, dipped a further 1.8% on Thursday, closing at 71¾p and placing the company’s market value just below £1.2 billion. Despite declining profits, the company will maintain its interim dividend at 0.95p per share.

While the broader UK labor market has shown resilience with limited mass layoffs, businesses remain cautious about expanding their workforce. “Most companies have enough work to retain their current staff, but they’re not looking to increase headcount,” said James Hilton, Hays’s chief financial officer. “Many employees who received pay increases in recent years are not seeking new roles, creating a stalemate. However, over time, people will seek promotions or fresh challenges.”

Recruiters had anticipated a market recovery earlier this year, but Hahn now warns that the rebound may not materialize until 2026. In the meantime, Hays is focusing on its technology recruitment division—its most profitable segment—as it navigates the prolonged global hiring slowdown.