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LOOKING BACK AT THE WEEK THAT WAS
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The main stories from the papers
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The latest announcements and policy news
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Follow this link to view the full version of Steve Besley's popular policy round-up – including an overview of all the important stories, his top headlines of the week, tweets and posts of note, the most memorable quotes, and all the not-to-be-missed statistics.
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GENERAL:
Youth Strategy. The government announced a new National Youth Strategy pledging funding to transform youth provision with upgraded facilities, new Young Futures Hubs, increased support in some schools and strengthened youth services generally.
Digital skills. The government announced the launch of some 80 local projects designed to support communities in providing training, access and support in digital skills for those in danger of being left behind.
Child Protection. The government called for views on the creation of a Child Protection Authority, asking for comments on the potential scope, structure and powers of a body it hopes will strengthen and unify the child protection system.
Social mobility. The Social Mobility Commission published a survey Report looking into how people viewed social mobility, finding people fairly pessimistic about social mobility generally, valuing health, wellbeing, education and family relationships more highly than professional occupations and income, and tending to describe themselves as working class overall.
HAF response. The Local Government Association (LGA) highlighted the importance of the government’s Holiday and Activities Food (HAF) programme as it issued its response to the government’s latest extension of the programme, calling among other things for increased flexibility in its application. SCHOOLS:
On-screen assessment. Ofqual launched a series of research reports and consultation on how on-screen assessment should be regulated in GCSEs, AS and A levels in England, suggesting a ‘controlled’ approach as a way forward with each exam board putting forward two lower volume specs for on-screen assessment but with pen and paper remaining and students using school rather than their own laptops.
2024/25 exams. Ofqual published its delivery report on awarding organisations’ delivery of exams this year, pointing to ‘a successful series’ with few errors and incidents but underlining the need to remain constantly vigilant over developments in AI and cyber interference.
School system. The government announced funding to create more specialist places, including for SEND pupils in mainstream education, raising concerns about money being diverted from planned special schools as well as halting a number of free school projects.
Call for Evidence. The government launched a second Call for Evidence as part of its National Professional Qualifications (NPQ) Review, asking for views this time on a further seven frameworks.
Lost boys. The Centre for Social Justice set out a series of recommendations to improve the lot of white working-class boys, including scrapping the triple lock and re-investing the money to support for disadvantaged boys, overhauling support in early years and tackling screen time. FE/SKILLS:
Apprenticeships. The government set out further details on how the money announced in the recent Budget will be used to reform the apprenticeship system promising to create more foundation apprenticeships, deliver free apprenticeships for under 25 yr olds in SMEs, work with local mayors to create more apprenticeship starts and create new upskilling short courses from next April.
Youth opportunities. The government outlined a package of funded measures to help young people, particularly NEETs, into work including training and job interviews, a guaranteed job in some regions and expanded Youth Hubs, with the expectation that sanctions might apply to those that don’t take up offers.
Committee response. The Education Committee published the government’s response to its earlier Inquiry Report into FE and skills, showing it agreeing with a large number of the recommendations and already acting on many but rejecting proposals on VAT exemption and a pay review body for colleges, among others.
Occupations in demand. Skills England examined data on occupations where there is the highest level of employment demand in the UK labour market, showing health and care, especially care workers and medical practitioners, as the sector with the largest numbers in high demand, and information and communications with the highest proportion of workers in high demand occupations.
AI in FE. Gatsby reported on its work looking into the development of AI in FE, suggesting a growing awareness of its potential among both staff and students but a need also for more guidance, training and support to enhance practice. HE:
Franchising. The government announced new rules for large franchise providers following recent consultation, requiring them to register with the OfS from 2028/29 in order to secure student finance for such courses, with new legislative powers promised to enable the regulator to clamp down on poor quality provision and misuse of funds.
University admissions. UCAS published its End of Cycle Report on HE applications and admissions this year, showing accepted applicants at a record high along with a notable increase in the number of UK 18 yr olds intending to live at home.
Maintenance support. The House of Commons Library Service reported on student maintenance support, running through the changes from the late 1990s and the variations by household, by student type and by place of study, including the levels of loans from parents and other relatives, concluding with details on the promised targeted maintenance grants in 2028/29.
University finances. The Times Higher reported on the continuing financial challenges facing a number of universities, particularly non-Russell Group research universities who have been hit by falls in student income but who are battling hard to control costs and manage deficits.
Graduate tax. The NIESR highlighted some of the unfairness around the current system of tuition fees, including the introduction a couple of years ago of the Plan 5 model, arguing in a new blog for replacing the loan system with ‘an explicit graduate tax’ despite some of the obstacles around this.
Evaluating regulation. Nicola Dandridge called in a blog for the Social Market Foundation (SMF) for a more strategic approach to evaluating regulation in HE, arguing that too much of it is focused on individual components rather than wider concerns, themes and interested parties.
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Research, reports and studies published this week
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COMING UP IN THE NEXT WEEK
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Important reports, deadlines and government events
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Education Committee evidence session on Teacher Recruitment, Training and Retention (Tuesday 16 December)
Parliamentary Recess (Friday 18 December – Monday 5 January 2026)
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Conferences and CPD opportunities
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MONDAY 15 DECEMBER
On this day in 2001 the Leaning Tower of Pisa reopened after a team of experts spent eleven years fortifying the tower and reducing its tilt.
TUESDAY 16 DECEMBER
On this day in 1653 Parliamentarian General Oliver Cromwell was appointed as Lord Protector of England, Scotland and Ireland.
WEDNESDAY 17 DECEMBER
On this day in 1967 Harold Holt, Prime Minister of Australia, vanished in mysterious circumstances while swimming near Melbourne.
THURSDAY 18 DECEMBER
On this day in 1642 Abel Tasman's expedition was the first European voyage to reach New Zealand.
FRIDAY 19 DECEMBER
On this day in 1984 Chinese Premier Zhao Ziyang and British PM Margaret Thatcher signed an agreement committing Britain to return Hong Kong to China in 1997.
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