Ryan Henson: How to improve opportunities for white working-class boys – and get more on the Tory benches too

Research shows that investment in the early years of a child’s life is the most effective way to improve his or her long-term life chances.

Peter Thompson: The inconsistencies, contortions and self-contradictions of the case for votes at 16

On what basis would they then be prevented from appearing in pornography? Should they then not be tried as adults and sent to adult prisons? And so on.

More good school places for pupils. Back to the future with Hinds.

His first major interview returns policy to the spirit of May’s original education ideas, with new faith schools and expanded selective ones as part of the mix.

Robert Halfon: Three big Conservative achievements. Better schools, more apprenticeships – and help for lower paid people.

Of course, mistakes are made, and governments get things wrong – but there is also a duty to make sure that the good gets out into the public sphere too.

Frank Young: Putting relationships back on the school curriculum means putting marriage on it too

New polling on behalf of the Centre for Social Justice and Family Stability Network helps to highlight what young people themselves are asking for.

James Frayne: Six barriers to voting Tory

In trying to maximise the Party’s vote share, it’s essential that a proper audit of these barriers takes place (and others will no doubt think of some I have missed).

Education, housing, the environment: May’s campaigning priorities. And there is an NHS row. But what about the economy?

The Government had next to no living standards message at the election. It needs one now – and to explain how it fits in with those three priorities.

Last June’s election has transformed the debate about capitalism. May must find a strategic response.

Tactical newspaper articles are necessary but insufficient. She should make a series of speeches to set out her stall and try to change the weather.

Luke Springthorpe: This was not as bad a year for the Conservatives as some claim. But 2018 must be much better.

The full force of policy and how it is communicated will need to be wrapped in an overarching theme of securing a bright future for the country after Brexit.

Matt Smith: Welsh Labour’s two decades in power have left behind a lost generation of state school pupils

This year, Wales produced the lowest A* to C grade GCSE results since 2006, with the GCSE attainment gap between the best and worst performing areas widening.

Nadhim Zahawi: How one man’s passion for phonics is helping an entire generation

Nick Gibb changed the National Curriculum to require schools explicitly to teach reading using the method. The results have been outstanding.

Jacob Rees-Mogg: Why won’t the Education Department honour our manifesto pledge on Catholic schools?

There is no wriggle room in the commitment. Yet the department has decided to have an enquiry to decide whether to do what was promised or not.

Nicky Morgan: Why this social mobility setback? Because the best brains in the Government are fixated on Brexit.

Too little attention is focused on the reasons why where you are born and your family background still matter far too much in modern Britain.

Andrew Wood: Yes, Singapore really is an example we can learn from. But not for the reasons some Tories give.

It is not especially low tax, nor is it unregulated – though it is certainly a more business-friendly environment then the UK. Here is why it works.

James Palmer: Ofsted measures academic achievement. Let’s get it measuring apprenticeship success too.

Another option would be for Ofsted to rate the school in question from “Outstanding” to “Inadequate” for its engagement and the breadth of its careers advice.