GENERAL: Digital government. The Technology Secretary set out the government’s vision for ‘a modern digital government,’ with the creation of a new digital centre and a six-point plan for public sector digital reform incorporating among other things verifiable user digital credentials, an LLM-powered chat user interface for GOV.UK to help solve queries and a new AI accelerator upskilling programme.
Value for money? The Treasury Committee raised questions about the Office for Value for Money in a new report, suggesting it had no clear remit or vision and arguing that a range of other bodies were already doing similar work.
Labour market outlook. The ONS published its latest estimates for the UK labour market over the last quarter, with average earnings up, vacancies down and unemployment up, including notably that for young people.
Global CEO survey. The consultancy PwC published the results of its Annual Global CEO survey conducted last autumn with AI and climate change as the two defining issues for many, with some companies moving faster than others to embrace change but with an increase in business confidence generally this year.
Pay divide. Centre for Cities highlighted the extent of the pay divide across different parts of the UK with cities like London, Reading and Cambridge, all places with leading private sector and business jobs having some of the highest average annual wages as opposed to Burnley, Middlesborough and Huddersfield, without such jobs, having some of the lowest.
Internships. The Sutton Trust explored the world of internships for graduates finding many (61%) either unpaid or poorly paid, increasing numbers not now being advertised and accessible only through or who you knew, and a gulf growing between the advantaged and the disadvantaged when it comes to getting internships.
Wealth inequality. Oxfam called on governments such as the UK to do more to tackle wealth inequality and ensure that the richest people and corporations pay more as it published a new report showing that global wealth grew three times faster last year than previously, increasing for instance the number of UK billionaires. SCHOOLS: Bett presentation. The Education Secretary made a keynote presentation at this week’s Bett conference where she heralded the advance of edtech and the benefits it can bring to schools, promising more resources, training and secure guidelines to help with future development.
Funding. The School Cuts coalition reported that most schools will not be able to cover their costs next year, including the likely 2.8% pay rise, without additional funding from government.
SEND funding. The House of Commons Library service published a briefing on the current provision in terms of funding and support for special needs, ahead of the Jan 30 deadline for the Education Committee’s call for evidence on the matter.
Reforming Accountability. The Education Policy Institute published a new report on how to reform the accountability system, pointing to some of the flaws in the current model and calling among other things for Ofsted to separate out safeguarding and to focus on teaching and learning along with pupil wellbeing.
Primary curriculum. The NEU published the results of its survey conducted among primary teacher members last autumn with many raising concerns about the amount of time spent on assessment priorities such as English and maths, calling as a result for a more balanced approach to the curriculum and to childhood development generally.
EdTech in Schools. Bett called on schools to devote one INSET Day per term to technology training as it published an eve of conference survey on tech adoption in schools showing training, or a lack of it, as well as costs and time, among the reasons hampering edtech take-up.
Business plan. The Standards and Testing Agency published its Business Plan for 2024 – 2026 listing 8 KPIs covering assessment provision from reception to KS2 and pointing to the contract transition to Pearson for 2025/26 and the increase in digital services generally as key priorities for the future.
Free School Meals. Labour MP Dr Simon Opher called in an amendment to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill for free school meals to be extended to every child in state primary schools in England, pointing to ‘the harm poor diet and nutrition can do’ over a person’s lifetime.
Children’s reading. Children’s Laureate Frank Cottrell-Boyce hosted a ‘Reading Rights Summit’ with the BookTrust and partners to highlight the importance of reading with children with the aim of opening out ‘the joy of reading’ to wider groups and promising a report and recommendations shortly. FE/SKILLS: Commissioner’s Report. The FE Commissioner issued her Annual Report for 2023/24 covering support and interventions over the past year with 178 Active Support visits, 6 health checks and various forms of mentoring all carried out, 9 interventions in place and investment, staff recruitment and estate capacity listed as sector challenges.
FE funding. The House of Commons Library service published a useful primer on FE funding in England describing it as ‘complex’ and having undergone a number of recent changes as it provided a run through of current funding streams and trends, complete with the changes from the most recent budget.
L3 reform. The Commons Library service also provided a summary of the current position around the L3 qualification reform programme, running through the various moves and debates leading to the government’s review statement last month and reactions to it. HE: Student Support Statement. The Education Secretary confirmed fee levels and further support arrangements for students for 2025/26 in a Statement to MPs along with confirmation of government plans for reform of HE by this summer.
University challenge. Former minister David Willetts challenged many of the current questions about the value of the university experience in a report for King’s College, brushing away concerns that too many people go to university and arguing that not only does it benefit the individual but also the country.
World University Rankings. The Times Higher reported on subject-based World University Rankings with US state universities sweeping the board for most subjects, Asian institutions performing well and Oxbridge continuing its presence.
PIR provision. The British Academy published its latest report on how particular disciplines were faring in UKHE, focusing on this occasion on Politics and International Relations (PIR,) finding aggregate demand ‘strong’ especially at postgrad level but recruitment generally variable across institutions.
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