So far this year, a record-breaking number of migrants have traversed the English Channel, according to preliminary figures from the Home Office. The count reached 4,644 within the first quarter of 2024, setting a new high for the initial three months of a year.

On a single day, Tuesday, 338 individuals were transported to the UK aboard seven vessels. This surge in arrivals surpasses the early 2022 record of 4,548 from January through March, and also outstrips the 3,793 migrants recorded in the early months of the previous year.

This increase occurs amidst Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s concerted efforts to curtail such crossings under his “stop the boats” initiative, which he claimed was showing results. Despite these efforts, a recent declaration from Downing Street labeled the situation as a “migration emergency,” following a record-setting day for crossings on March 20, with 514 individuals arriving in 10 boats.

Prime Minister Sunak had outlined the “stop the boats” campaign as a key goal for 2023, promising the enactment of new laws aimed at deterring unauthorized arrivals. According to this pledge, illegal entrants would face detention and expedited removal.

Comparatively, the UK saw 29,437 migrants arrive by crossing the Channel in the previous year, a decrease of 36% from the 2022 peak of 45,774. However, current figures indicate a 23% increase in crossings over the same period in 2023, and a 12% rise over 2022, based on PA news agency’s analysis.

Amid these developments, the government’s proposed Rwanda Bill is facing delays in Parliament, with discussions postponed until after the Easter recess. In response to the latest statistics, the Labour Party has criticized the government’s handling of the situation, with Shadow Immigration Minister Stephen Kinnock urging for more effective border control measures. He criticized Prime Minister Sunak for denying the rise in small boat arrivals and emphasized the need for a more organized border strategy.

Labour proposes enhancing border security, dismantling smuggling networks, addressing the asylum application backlog, ceasing the use of hotels for asylum seekers, and establishing a new returns and enforcement unit.

In its response to the climbing numbers of small boat crossings, the Home Office emphasized the urgency of initiating deportation flights to Rwanda and highlighted ongoing collaboration with French authorities to combat the escalating violence and obstructions faced by police on French shores. The Home Office remains committed to legislative strengthening and international partnerships to decrease these crossings and ensure safety.

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A recent study recommends reducing the length of school summer vacations to four weeks and extending the duration of mid-term breaks instead. The study, which is set to be released next month and is backed by the Nuffield Foundation, argues that the current school schedule in England, which has remained unchanged since the Victorian era, needs to be updated. This change aims to better support modern families, students, and educators by balancing out the academic year and addressing educational disparities intensified by the pandemic.

Lee Elliott Major, a professor at the University of Exeter and co-author of the study, believes that adjusting the distribution of school holidays throughout the year can improve student wellbeing, ease the workload of teachers, and even out childcare expenses for parents, without incurring additional costs. He asserts that reducing summer breaks while extending the February and October half-terms could help rejuvenate teachers and provide students with breaks during the more intense periods of the school year.

The suggested modifications are especially aimed at benefiting students from less advantaged backgrounds and those with special educational needs, who typically struggle with returning to school after a long summer break. Moreover, teachers have reported improvements in behavior and wellbeing when breaks are more evenly distributed throughout the year.

The concept of a shortened summer holiday has previously been experimented with by certain school trusts and local authorities, resulting in significant reductions in absenteeism. Despite this, the proposal has met with some resistance from parents concerned about arranging extended childcare.

Teacher opinions on reducing the summer holiday length are mixed, with no clear consensus according to recent surveys. While the idea of altering school holiday schedules is not new and has seen various levels of implementation and reaction over the years, it continues to provoke debate.

Geoff Barton from the Association of School and College Leaders acknowledges the potential benefits but cautions against quick changes without comprehensive understanding of the impacts. He emphasizes the need for careful consideration of the effects on mental health, educational inequality, and other pressing educational challenges before making any significant calendar adjustments.

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Eddie Howe has been instrumental in Newcastle United’s turnaround since his arrival in early November 2021, when the team was languishing near the bottom of the Premier League table.

Under Howe’s guidance, the team witnessed a significant revival, notably after acquiring five new players in January 2022, concluding the season in 11th position with 49 points.

The following season was extraordinary, as Newcastle soared to a 4th place finish, amassing 71 points and securing a Champions League berth for the first time in two decades.

Additionally, the team made it to the Carabao Cup final, only to be outplayed by Manchester United, resulting in a 2-0 defeat at Wembley.

However, the current season has presented challenges, including the demands of twice-weekly matches and a spate of injuries to key players, which have disrupted the team’s momentum.

Despite these setbacks, Newcastle reached the FA Cup quarter-finals but finds itself in a precarious 10th position in the league, currently risking missing out on a European spot for the upcoming season.

Alan Shearer has expressed his support for Eddie Howe on BBC Radio One,

“This season has been tough for Newcastle, but there have been mitigating circumstances, the injuries, especially to Nick Pope and Joelinton,” “They miss both of those a lot.” “Eddie Howe still has plenty of credit in the bank.” “Whatever happens this season, whether they finish mid-table or qualify for Europe, Eddie Howe will be Newcastle’s manager next season.”

While agreeing with Shearer, it’s clear that the next season must show improvement for the Newcastle owners who will have lofty ambitions for the club.

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