I’ve been talking with colleagues about their kids’ recent return to school, and so many mentioned the cost of uniforms. It really shocked me, so I decided to find out more...

Families in England are paying an average of over £340 for primary school children and more than £450 for those in secondary. That's a huge burden on families, especially as the cost of living continues to rise.

In Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, families on certain benefits can access uniform grants worth up to £200 per child. But in England, support seems patchy at best, with many councils offering nothing. This postcode lottery risks deepening inequalities and means some children will have access to basic school clothing whilst others may not.

The Department for Education has limited branded items to cut costs, but the average uniform bill still runs into hundreds of pounds. Campaigners have warned this isn’t enough to stop low-income families being pushed further into hardship. For low-income families, the return to school isn’t just about pencils and new shoes, it’s another financial hurdle the government should be invested in tackling.

Karim - Lead D&I Consultant

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One in three entrepreneurs are dyslexic – and it’s powering innovation

Virgin and Made By Dyslexia highlight how Dyslexic Thinking powers innovation and growth.

Dyslexia as a strength

A new analysis from Made By Dyslexia shows that one in three entrepreneurs are dyslexic, contributing at least £4.6 billion to the UK economy and supporting more than 60,000 jobs. Far from being a barrier, Dyslexic Thinking powers problem-solving, creativity, visualisation, and communication — skills that have shaped some of the world’s most transformative inventions.

From awareness to action

To celebrate this, Virgin StartUp has launched Momentum, the UK’s first free business accelerator for dyslexic founders. Over eight weeks, participants will access tailored workshops, one-to-one mentoring, and a supportive community designed to harness their unique strengths. Applications are now open — find out more and apply here.

Richard Branson has called his own dyslexia a “superpower,” and the campaign is about showing others the same. Virgin and Made By Dyslexia want to shift outdated perceptions, promote tailored support, and remind us that backing dyslexic entrepreneurs isn’t just inclusive — it drives innovation and growth.

Learning disability campaigners call out ‘shocking’ gaps in life expectancy

Campaigners say avoidable deaths highlight deep inequalities in healthcare.

A life cut short too often

People with learning disabilities die on average 20 years younger than the general population — and 39% of these deaths are avoidable. Campaigners say this gap is unacceptable and reflects systemic failings in healthcare.

Community councillor Sara Pickard, who has Down’s syndrome, called the figures “shocking.” She noted friends who had died prematurely, adding: “One was younger than me. It’s really sad to think.”

Academic Dr Dawn Cavanagh described how her son’s burst appendix was missed because professionals focused on his behaviour instead of his symptoms — a form of “diagnostic overshadowing.” “What that tells me as a mother is that my son’s life doesn’t matter. It makes me ashamed of the society in which I live,” she said.

A call for change

Campaigners argue that annual health checks for people with learning disabilities, while useful, can feel like a tick-box exercise. More meaningful adjustments are needed — from liaison nurses to better links between GPs, hospitals and A&E.

Despite government pledges and NHS training programmes, many believe progress is far too slow. Prof Richard Todd, who researches end-of-life care, says people are dying from conditions not usually seen as life-threatening, often without the right treatment.

The message is clear: lives are being lost not because of disability itself, but because of an unequal system that is failing to provide proper care.

Government sets sights on making UK global leader in women’s sport

New Women’s Sport Taskforce to drive equal access, better facilities and protections from online abuse by the 2035 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

What’s the plan?

A new Women’s Sport Taskforce, bringing together UK Sport, Sport England and major governing bodies, has begun work to remove barriers for women and girls in sport. Chaired by Sports Minister Stephanie Peacock, the first meeting (held in Brighton alongside the Women’s Rugby World Cup) focused on female athlete health research and tackling online abuse, with input from Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, Chris Boardman and UK Sport’s Sally Munday.

The mission: equal access to pitches and programmes, best-in-class facilities, continued professionalisation, visible role models, and a pipeline of UK-hosted women’s events through to 2035. This builds on investment in grassroots facilities and major tournaments, plus campaigns such as This Girl Can

The bigger picture

The press release highlights safety, visibility and access as key barriers for women and girls in sport. But for true equity, inclusion must extend further. That means ensuring reforms also support trans women and girls, disabled athletes, and those from other marginalised communities, so the future of sport is one where everyone feels welcome.

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