The Government has unveiled plans to invest an additional £3bn in creating tens of thousands of new specialist places for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) within mainstream schools. Ministers say the funding will help expand high-quality, purpose-built spaces that enable pupils to learn closer to home, while still accessing mainstream lessons where suitable. The move is intended to form the foundation for wider reforms to be detailed in the upcoming Schools White Paper.

However, the announcement has prompted concerns from charities and advocacy groups. Some fear the money may be used to deliver low-quality facilities, with no guarantee of sufficient specialist staff to support children effectively. Organisations including IPSEA warn that the shift could reduce access to dedicated special schools, while creating isolated units lacking proper integration or individualised support. They argue that without a national workforce plan, shortages of teachers, therapists and educational psychologists will continue to undermine provision.

Others, including Contact, stress that any new units must uphold children’s rights to mainstream education while complementing, not replacing, specialist schools. They caution that poorly regulated expansion could lead to increased segregation rather than inclusion. Meanwhile, recent surveys show significant anxiety among teachers, many of whom fear that more SEND pupils entering mainstream settings without adequate support will place further strain on staff and resources.

Local authorities and unions have responded more positively, welcoming the investment as a step toward reducing long waiting lists and providing support closer to home. They now await the White Paper, which is expected to set out a clearer roadmap for building a more responsive and better-resourced national SEND system.

People in England who need emergency dental treatment or have serious oral health problems are set to be prioritised under new government proposals aimed at easing the growing strain on NHS dentistry. Officials say the plan could cut costs for patients facing multiple appointments for complicated procedures, potentially saving them up to £225.

Access to NHS dentists has become increasingly difficult in many areas, with some communities described as “dental deserts”. Ministers argue the system introduced in 2006, which pays dentists according to Units of Dental Activity (UDAs), has long rewarded quick, routine check-ups instead of time-intensive work. Health minister Stephen Kinnock said too many people with good oral health were being seen unnecessarily, suggesting most only need a check-up every two years.

Under the proposed overhaul, dentists would be encouraged to provide extended treatment plans through the NHS for issues such as advanced gum disease or widespread tooth decay. Instead of several costly visits, patients would receive a tailored package of care delivered across a longer period, aimed at reducing both waiting times and out-of-pocket expenses.

However, the British Dental Association warned that the changes amount to minor adjustments to a system that is fundamentally flawed. The BDA said years of underfunding have driven dentists away from NHS work, and argued that meaningful improvement will only come with major investment and full-scale reform of the contract.

England’s busiest emergency departments are already straining as an early and intense wave of winter viruses fills hospital beds by midday. At Leicester Royal Infirmary, rapid cleaning and turnaround procedures are underway as soon as one patient leaves, with staff racing to prepare space for the next arrival. This early flu spike, driven by a stronger H3N2 strain, has significantly increased demand ahead of the typical peak period.

Across the country, hospitals are reporting rising cases of flu and other respiratory illnesses, squeezing already stretched services. Leicester’s emergency unit, which handled more than 1,000 daily attendances last winter, is again approaching similar volumes. Attendance numbers are up by about 8% compared with last year, and the hospital continues to face a shortage of dozens of beds every day, with many already occupied by patients with respiratory conditions.

To cope, the hospital has introduced enhanced triage processes at the entrance, allowing clinicians to assess patients immediately and divert less urgent cases to more appropriate community services. Additional units, including prefabricated structures converted into clinical spaces and off-site recovery facilities, have been brought online to ease ambulance delays and free up acute beds.

NHS leaders expect pressure to escalate further into January, with some planned procedures likely to be postponed to create emergency capacity. The Department of Health and Social Care has urged eligible people to get vaccinated, confirming there is no national shortage of flu jabs and emphasising the importance of protection as virus levels continue to climb.

A dedicated set of learning materials has been released to help road safety practitioners better support autistic and neurodiverse learners. The toolkit, created by Co-Pilot in collaboration with the National Autistic Society, includes 24 concise videos showcasing practical demonstrations of accessible, inclusive approaches to road safety education.

The resource is designed to guide professionals as they put together lesson plans, develop teaching materials and anticipate situations where autistic people may require additional support. It also encourages organisations to consider reasonable adjustments that ensure disabled learners are not placed at a disadvantage. According to the National Autistic Society, the aim is to give staff clear and usable insight so they can build confidence in adapting their practice.

With an estimated 700,000 autistic people in the UK, most road safety professionals are likely to work with autistic children or adults at some point, including individuals without a formal diagnosis. Differences in communication, sensory processing and executive functioning can influence how autistic people engage with safety sessions and learning environments. One local authority recently improved its school walking-route guidance—adding clearer maps, colour cues and quieter alternatives—after feedback from a parent, demonstrating how small adjustments can enhance accessibility.

Co-Pilot’s CEO James Evans said the new toolkit aims to equip practitioners with practical, inclusive methods as the sector prepares for the forthcoming Road Safety Strategy. He emphasised that understanding autism not only supports effective learning but also fulfils professional and legal duties to create fair and accessible services.

The British Medical Association (BMA) has confirmed another round of industrial action in England as its dispute with the government over pay continues. Resident doctors — formerly known as junior doctors — will withdraw their labour for five days from 17 December, marking their 14th walkout since March 2023. The strike is expected to place further strain on hospitals already under seasonal pressure, with both emergency and planned care affected.

NHS leaders have condemned the timing, calling it highly provocative. Daniel Elkeles of NHS Providers warned that December is a crucial period for patient discharges and said the strike would be unfair to both patients and staff who remain on duty. Senior doctors are expected to step in to provide cover, though widespread disruption is still anticipated. The BMA, however, maintains that the government has yet to present a meaningful offer and insists it has been pushed into taking further action.

Talks collapsed last month after ministers proposed improvements to training opportunities, workplace conditions and financial support for exam fees, but refused additional pay increases. Health Secretary Wes Streeting argues resident doctors have already received pay rises approaching 30% over three years and says he will not reopen negotiations on salary. The union counters that, after inflation, doctors’ pay remains around 20% lower than in 2008.

Dr Jack Fletcher, chair of the BMA’s resident doctors committee, said the union was still open to discussion, noting that gradual pay restoration and basic job-security measures were achievable. With the current strike mandate due to expire in early January, the BMA has confirmed it will ballot members again to decide the next steps.

The health secretary, Wes Streeting, has commissioned an independent inquiry to explore the sharp rise in referrals for mental health, ADHD and autism services across England. The review, headed by clinical psychologist Professor Peter Fonagy, will assess whether current diagnostic practices are appropriate and identify where services are failing to meet people’s needs. It follows longstanding concern about stretched provision and lengthy waits for treatment in many regions.

Ministers say they have already increased investment in talking therapies and school-based support, yet demand continues to outpace capacity. NHS data indicates a steep rise in reported mental health difficulties over the past 20 years, particularly among younger people and those out of work. The number of working-age adults receiving disability or incapacity benefits has also grown markedly since 2019. Streeting has previously suggested that over-diagnosis may be contributing to pressure on services, emphasising the need for a “clinical, evidence-led” approach to reform.

Professor Fonagy has pledged that the review will challenge assumptions and take seriously the perspectives of those who rely on support. Professional bodies and charities, including the Royal College of Psychiatrists and Mind, have welcomed the initiative, stressing the importance of understanding why more people are seeking help and identifying persistent gaps in care.

Autism organisations have urged swift action, noting that although referral numbers may be stabilising, waiting times for assessments continue to rise sharply. The review’s findings are expected in summer 2026.