Bright Horizons Family Solutions, the second biggest nursery group in the UK, has acquired all of Casterbridge Nurseries’ 27 settings, in what is the largest deal that the UK nursery sector has seen for some years.

Essex County Council has won a landmark ruling in the High Court against the Department for Education over cuts to early years education and funding.

The funding gap for reforming social care in England could be plugged by raiding the NHS surplus or restricting access to benefits such as the winter fuel allowance, experts say.

Middle class pensioners should pay extra taxes or lose benefits such as winter fuel allowances and bus passes to help pay for the cost of care in old age, a leading health think-tank has suggested.

Health experts have called for more public funds to be found to help vulnerable older people Health experts have called for more public funds to be found to help vulnerable older people

People in Herefordshire could face increased charges for a range of social services, under plans put forward by the county council.