GENERAL: Staff recruitment. The British Chambers of Commerce published its latest quarterly survey on the recruitment market, finding sectors like construction, transport and hospitality all experiencing difficulties and concerned about skills levels, inactive young people and government policies.
Key employer challenges 2026. HR software provider Ciphr reported on its survey among members of challenges they expect to face next year with the recruitment and retention of skilled staff at the top of the list, along with managing rising costs, meeting employees’ remote or hybrid working expectations and managing the responsible use of AI all in the top ten.
Financial struggles. The FT reported that the British Council was having to scale down operations as it sought to clarify its position with the government on grants and loans needed to secure its financial position. SCHOOLS: Teachers’ pay. The government issued its response to the school teachers’ pay review body proposing a 6.5% pay rise for teachers over the next three years “with the level of awards weighted towards the latter part of the remit,” arguing that this was appropriate in the wider context of likely future pay trends. RAAC removal. The Education Secretary outlined plans for RAAC to be removed, or to be underway for those under the School Rebuilding Programme, from all schools and colleges by the end of this parliament.
Regulator’s Rebuke. Ofqual updated its regulatory policy for qualifications following recent consultation, confirming a ‘commitment to early engagement, proportionate action, and transparency’ and introducing the concept of a Chief Regulator’s Rebuke when an Awarding Organisation has committed a minor breach but one not deemed serious enough for a fine.
Home to school transport. The National Audit Office (NAO) reported on the rising cost of home to school transport which has risen by 70% over the last decade creating a growing debt for local councils, calling for it to be ‘considered’ in the forthcoming SEND reforms. Inquiry evidence. The Centre for Young Lives reported on the recent evidence coming out of the latest Covid 19 Inquiry witness sessions on children and young people, listing some key recommendations coming from Children’s Rights Organisations including the introduction of a named Cabined Minister for Children and proper planning for future such emergencies.
Recruitment and retention. The Education Endowment Foundation published work by researchers on the challenges around the recruitment and retention of teachers especially in more disadvantaged schools, showing that flexi working, financial incentives and teacher workloads can all have positive effects.
Tackling failing poor children. Former Permanent Secretary Jonathan Slater called in a new publication for a new plan to help low-attaining FSM children including better sharing of best practice and a reformed accountability system.
Free School Meals. LACA and the ParentPay Group pointed to 70%+ of children not accessing their free school meals, as their latest report highlighted ‘a growing disparity between eligibility and usage.’ FE/SKILLS: Skills priorities. The government set out the priorities for Skills England following its move into the DWP, listing research and skills mapping, system simplification and accessibility, and coherence and collaboration, as its three core priorities for the rest of the year.
AI skills. Skills England reported on its recent work on AI skills and the challenges facing many employers as they seek to develop such skills as it released a new AI skills tool package comprising a new AI skills framework, AI adoption pathway and checklist, all designed to help employers needing support.
Digital MoU. JISC and the AoC announced a new formal partnership with shared priorities and a joint executive steering group to help ‘accelerate digital transformation across the FE sector.’
New acquisition. Exam board AQA announced the acquisition of the Realise Training Group, ‘one of the UK’s fastest growing training providers,’ as it sought to strengthen its hand in the vocational market.
Apprenticeship consultation. The Skills Federation commissioned a new consultation to hear how the sector is preparing for forthcoming apprenticeship reforms, particularly in areas like flexible assessment, compliance and completion. HE:
UCAS early application data. UCAS reported that the number of applicants, including UK 18 yr olds, applying to early deadline (15 Oct) undergraduate courses such as medicine, dentistry and Oxbridge courses had reached a record high.
A Call for Radical Reform. Former OU VC Tim Blackman argued in a new Debate Paper for HEPI that universities should play a key role in a rapidly changing and challenging society but that ‘radical reform’ of the sector is needed to shift from the current f/t hons degree model to a more flexible, lifelong learning model.
ResearchPlus. A group of ten UK universities formally launched a new ‘national collaborative,’ known as ResearchPlus and aimed at strengthening research in areas such as advanced skills that could support ‘economic growth and societal wellbeing.’
Going Global. The British Council hosted the 2025 Going Global Conference focusing on the three themes of ‘resilience, values and innovation’ needed to help global HE leaders best ‘survive and thrive in a volatile world.’
Change programme. Alistair Jarvis, the newish chief exec of Advance HE, set out in a blog for Wonkhe, a new programme of work for the organisation built around embedding transformation and change, developing a new strategic advisory group and extending its global reach.
Tackling inequality. The World Access to HE Network (WAHEN) called for further research and advocacy as its latest report mapping global inequalities in HE participation and attainment showed patchy progress, with things actually worsening in some 27 countries.
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