Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has called the situation a 'national disgrace,' highlighting that many white working-class children are being 'written off' in the education system, with only 18.6% achieving a strong pass in GCSE English and maths in 2023-24, compared to 45.9% of all pupils.

Phillipson has pledged to focus on closing the attainment gap for white working-class pupils, who face significant barriers to academic success and access to further education or employment.

This disparity has been described by officials as a 'national disgrace,' emphasizing the urgent need for reforms.

Addressing high absence rates and sharing effective support strategies in schools are seen as crucial to narrowing the educational gap.

Disadvantaged white pupils in England, particularly in areas with higher populations of poor white children, are experiencing particularly poor educational outcomes.

The government is taking steps such as expanding free school meals, breakfast clubs, and family support services, with plans to publish a White Paper later this year to introduce further reforms aimed at creating a more equitable education system.

High absence rates among disadvantaged pupils, including nearly 150,000 children who were 'severely absent' in autumn 2024, are identified as major obstacles to educational equity, especially since inequalities have widened post-COVID-19.

A report by the Institute for Government highlights that local authorities with the lowest performance among disadvantaged pupils tend to have higher proportions of disadvantaged white children, revealing a significant racial and socio-economic disparity.