Labour would link services data for children in England ‘to boost standards’

Bridget Phillipson says unique number to link school, health and council data would stop childrens’ needs ‘falling through gaps’

Children in England should be given a unique number to link their records held by schools, health visitors and councils, allowing governments to harness artificial intelligence and data-mining to improve standards, according to shadow education secretary Bridget Phillipson.

In a keynote speech, Phillipson also praised former Conservative education secretary Michael Gove for his high expectations, in contrast to the “merry-go-round” of ministers that have followed him.