Artificial intelligence (AI) played a significant role in the tech skills landscape in 2025, from helping teachers do their jobs to becoming a vital skill for people to learn. On the other hand, hiring across the technology sector was less predictable, with fewer jobs advertised, though having the right skills was found to increase job security. Skills will continue to be important going forward, regardless of where AI takes the sector.
The government has promised to create 50,000 more places for children with special educational needs (Send) in mainstream schools in England. It plans to invest 3bn over the next three years, partly funded by cancelling the building of some planned free schools. Councils - who will receive the funding - have argued the money needs to be diverted to the right areas and to the people who know what is needed in their local communities.