Podcast: Kent parents taken to court because their children won’t go to school

Our top story today is about the number of children in Kent not going to school.

Since the pandemic, there’s been a real issue with young people not turning up to class – and it can lead to parents ending up in court.

Hear from reporter James Pallant who has been looking into this issue in depth, and a mum whose daughter refused to go to class.

Also on today’s podcast,  it’s been a big day in parliament with the first King’s speech in more than 70 years.

King Charles III has set out the government’s plans for the next year – we’ve got analysis from our political editor Paul Francis.

A Medway charity boss has criticised the home secretary for describing rough sleeping as a “lifestyle choice”.

Suella Braverman made the controversial comments while defending a policy to restrict the use of tents by homeless people.

We’ve got reaction to news that tips across Kent won’t be shutting.

The county council were looking to close four sites in Maidstone, Richborough, Dartford and Faversham in a bid to balance their budget – but the controversial proposals were voted down.

The KentOnline Podcast has been told the number of students at Ashford college has doubled in just three years.

The Elwick Road site has just had a £10 million extension completed. Hear from the chief exec of EKC Group which runs the campus.

And in sport, it’s EFL Trophy action for Gillingham tonight who welcome Fulham’s under 21s to Priestfield.

It’s the second game in charge for new Gills manager Stephen Clemence and his first experience of the competition.