Free school meals push: Labour MP Ian Byrne’s Right to Food Commission warns food insecurity is a “national crisis” and urges Andy Burnham to make free school meals universal up to age 18, to tackle hunger, stigma and school food debt. School mental health: Research highlights “school connectedness” (feeling belonging with peers and staff) as a key factor in student wellbeing, alongside attendance and school culture. CPR training for schools: Restart A Heart Live 2026 (Oct 1) offers free interactive CPR/defib awareness training that can be streamed into classrooms and homes. Reading support in Scotland: Scottish Greens back a £3.54m Dolly Parton-inspired primary library fund, aiming to boost access to books via unstaffed lending libraries. Higher education and migration: University of Essex playwright Dr Mary Mazzilli’s touring play “Lightstreams” explores migration, racism and care workers’ experiences, with post-show panels. NHS cancer turnaround: A Birmingham and Midlands NHS pilot will roll out a rapid brain tumour test to cut diagnosis from weeks to up to 24 hours. Local education demand: Preston’s Olive School received 135 first-choice applications for 60 places for 2026-27 entry, making it Lancashire’s most in-demand primary. Community energy via schools: Octopus Energy’s £30m Local Power Plan funding wave encourages projects like solar on schools and community buildings. Safety and security: Police arrested five men after a terror alert near RAF Fairford, evacuating about 85 households from nearby Whelford.