GENERAL

• Prison education. The Education Committee described a system ‘crying out for an overhaul’ as it published the results of its Inquiry into prison education, recommending as a result a much greater focus on education for inmates with secure laptops, potential higher ed loans and the creation of Deputy Governors of Learning as important remedies. 
• Labour market analysis. The Institute for Employment Studies (IES) published its regular accompanying analysis of the latest labour market figures, equally highlighting the fall in unemployment but pointing too to continuing recruitment and participation issues and a widening wage gap.
• Assistive Technology. UNICEF and the World Health Organisation reported for the first time on how large chunks of the world, particularly those in low and middle-income countries, were missing out on assistive technology, denying those in education as well as employment and old age of the opportunities and support seen as vital in life for so many. 

SCHOOLS

• Schools Bill. The Education Secretary wrote to the Chair of the Education Committee setting out the main proposals in the recently published Schools Bill and offering to work closely with the Committee as the Bill progresses.
• Fake exam papers. Ofqual reminded students in its latest rolling guidance, about the dangers of fake exam papers being offered on social media websites which if used, could lead to student disqualification.
• Review of computing education. Ofsted published the latest in its series of subject reviews looking here at computing and highlighting features that make for successful delivery and assessment including the sequencing of knowledge and skills and the use of formative assessment but pointing to concerns about a lack of specialist teachers.

FE/SKILLS

• L3 issues. Edge responded to the government’s recent plans to defund a number of L3 qualifications that overlap with T levels, arguing that the proposals could have ‘significant consequences’ for learners, especially the most disadvantaged and urging the government to consider the lessons that could be learnt from previous policy experience. 
• NEET options. The EDSK think tank reported on the issue of NEETs (young people not in education, employment or training) highlighting the continuing extent of the problem and calling for a stronger emphasis on prevention rather than cure through for example a dedicated careers link and a more practically focused curriculum to increase options.
• Adult skills and training. The Fabian Society and partners published a collection of essays from leading commentators on adult skills and training with contributors highlighting weaknesses in the current system, regional inequalities, apprenticeships and the need for a coherent skills settlement. 

HIGHER EDUCATION

• Capital funding. The Office for Students (OfS) set out the arrangements for capital funding for the next three financial years with £11.2m to be distributed via a numbers-based formula and £400m via a bidding process. 
• Blended learning. The Office for Students announced the names of the panel members that will support the OfS’s review of provider approaches to blended learning likely to meet regulatory requirements, with review outcomes set for September. 
• Attracting international talent. Universities UK published a new report highlighting issues around attracting and retaining international research talent pointing in particular to the high costs and mismatch of visas, calling for a review of costs and a more inclusive and less burdensome system.