Nick Maughan: After Covid, our children will need after-school clubs to make up lost ground

All young people have been dealt a bad hand by the indirect effects of the pandemic – however, some are more equal than others.

Mark Lehain: “The Government stands unequivocally against critical race theory.” The significance of Badenoch’s speech this week.

The Campaign for Common Sense has four simple, low-effort, suggestions as to how schools can be helped to get back on track.

Philippa Stroud: Now that we can measure poverty, we can work together to tackle it

For too long, much of the political and policy debate on this has not been focused on the action needed to drive better outcomes for the most disadvantaged in our society.

Penny Mordaunt: The twelve new rules of politics

Ideas and vision are necessary, but they are not sufficient. People need to see results and to achieve them they need to take part.

Rob Wilson: How government must change to deliver real social reform

It is too fragmented to deliver this successfully – so a senior Cabinet minister should be tasked with bringing about change.

More public appointments should be explicitly political

We must return to open, transparent political patronage. You can place plum jobs beyond scrutiny and accountability, but not above politics.

Hancock needs a plan to enforce spirit of new charity rules

Banning the direct state subsidy of third-sector lobbying is welcome, but will be meaningless without measures to prevent indirect subsidy.

The state-charity relationship needs more transparency still

Having Freedom of Information law follow public funds into the third sector is welcome, but the Government must stop paying to lobby itself.

Natalie Elphicke: The refugee challenge – a chance to harness social finance for housing

For every safe home we make for our refugee neighbours, we could build up to another two or more homes to meet current domestic need, across all tenures.

Francis Davis: Transforming lives means taking risks. Don’t let the collapse of Kids Company persuade you otherwise.

The voluntary sector needs pooled budgets, enhanced leadership and greater innovation – and thus follow the lead of the best in the private and public sectors.