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Last week, the Welsh education minister Jeremy Miles announced a £2 million programme to trial new approaches to the timing of the school day. In the two-year pilot, participating schools will provide learners with the opportunity to take part in music, art, sports, and other activities after core school hours, to build rich social and cultural knowledge. As well as supporting individual children’s health and wellbeing, the policy could also be a powerful way of addressing child poverty in the round.

Between July 2020 and July 2021, we worked together to document life on a low income during the Covid-19 pandemic. Through the Covid Realities research programme, over 100 parents and carers kept online diaries about what everyday life was like, and took part in online discussion groups to explore what needs to change and why. As a participant (Kim) and a researcher (Ruth) working together on this project, we wanted so share our reflections.

For many children, the run-up to the Christmas holidays is packed with excitement, twinkling lights and glitter. However, this fun and festivity also means additional school-related expenses for families. Our blog explores how these cost pressures can affect families and children, and how schools can shift towards a more inclusive festive season.

Tomorrow, the chancellor will give his budget speech. Some of the key announcements have already been revealed. We know for example that the minimum wage will increase to £9.50 an hour for those aged 23 and over. While this is a welcome change, it fails to compensate for the £20 a week cut to universal credit which has hit both working families and those who cannot work.