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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:
Violence against women and girls. The government published its long-awaited strategy for preventing violence and abuse of women and girls, proposing a 10-yr plan built around the three objectives of prevention and early intervention, pursuit of perpetrators, and support for those in need, with schools given a key role.
Labour market data. The ONS pointed to ‘a weakening labour market’ as it published latest data showing a further slight rise in unemployment for the period to October 2025 but with young people particularly badly hit amid an overall drop in workforce jobs.
Labour market outlook. The Resolution Foundation published its Labour Market Outlook for the last quarter of the year indicating that despite some mixed trends ‘the share of people actually in work has been falling’ with young people notably exposed, calling on the government to extend the youth guarantee and job support.
Social Mobility. The Social Mobility Commission published its latest ‘State of the Nation’ Report indicating that ‘extreme regional disparities exist’ notably in many old industrial and mining areas but that growth ‘hubs’ are emerging across the UK and more young people are in professional occupations now.
SCHOOLS:
Parent Voice. The consultancy Public First published the first of three intended reports looking into how parents view the education system in England, with this first survey finding parents generally supportive of the work of schools but concerned about funding, behaviour, phones and mental health.
Teachers’ pay. The NFER set out some thoughts about the prospects for this year’s pay award for teachers indicating that despite recent awards, teachers’ pay has become less competitive, suggesting that the Pay Review Body should consider a 7.4% award over the proposed three-year period rather than the 6.5% put forward by government.
Reforming technical education. The Centre for Social Justice called in a new report for a re-balancing of the education system by creating a technical pathway to match the academic one, using the model of the Manchester Bacc to propose a series of principles for a future ‘rewiring’ of the system.
Phones in school. The Shadow Education Secretary outlined her reasoning behind an amendment to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill that would see current guidance on banning smartphones during the school day enforced in law.
FE/SKILLS:
NEET Review. The Milburn NEETs Review formally launched its investigation into the root causes of youth inactivity, with a call for evidence and the backing of a new Advisory Panel as it looked to produce an interim report in the spring.
Earning or Learning. Policy Connect issued an interim Report from its ongoing inquiry, led by the Skills Commission, into earning or learning for young people, pointing to emerging evidence around the importance of early identification and prevention, flexible pathways and local coordination.
TECs. The government opened up applications from eligible colleges for a 2nd Wave of Technical Excellence Colleges (TECs,) proposing 19 in all covering Defence, Digital and Technologies, Clean Energy and Advanced Manufacturing.
Apprenticeship assessment. The Gatsby Foundation published a commissioned report on the latest reforms for end-point assessments of apprenticeships, acknowledging that while some changes were needed, the latest proposals seem heavy-handed, calling for a full evaluation of the impact of the reforms before progressing.
Commissioner’s Report. The FE Commissioner published her summary and valedictory report for the last year, showing a range of ‘active support’ activity over the year, including college health checks, structural reports and effective practice guides, with just 8 colleges now subject to intervention.
Workforce cuts. The Guardian reported that the new owners of the City and Guilds training and awarding business were looking to reduce the size of the workforce over the next two years with much of it coming through ‘natural attrition.’
HE:
Erasmus back. The government announced that it had agreed terms to join the EU Erasmus+ programme in 2027, enabling young people, including apprentices and FE students, to study and train abroad, with further guidance and details to come nearer the time.
Consumer protection. The OfS confirmed that it had referred a number of providers to National Trading Standards over concerns that during industrial action, obligations under some student contracts may not have been met.
Future Universities. Universities UK’s Chief Exec, Vivienne Stern, outlined in a blog on the Wonkhe site, the priorities of a new strategy the organisation has been developing for next year, positioning universities as a source of strength and positivity for the future, responsive to needs and aligned to the country’s future success.
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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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A jolly red figure coming down the chimney with a sack of presents (Thursday 25 December)
Parliamentary Recess (Friday 18 December – Monday 5 January 2026)
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MONDAY 22 DECEMBER
On this day in 1849 the execution by firing squad of Russian writer Fyodor Dostoyevsky was called off at the last moment.
TUESDAY 23 DECEMBER
On this day in 1954 the first human kidney transplant was performed by Dr Joseph E Murray in Boston, Massachusetts.
WEDNESDAY 24 DECEMBER
On this day in 1914 Agatha Miller married aviator Archibald Christie taking the name Agatha Christie by which she became a world-renowned English novelist and playwright.
THURSDAY 25 DECEMBER
On this day in 1066 William the Conqueror was crowned King of England at Westminster Abbey, completing the Norman conquest of England.
FRIDAY 26 DECEMBER
On this day in 2004 a 9.3 magnitude earthquake created a tsunami, causing devastation in Sri Lanka, India, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, the Maldives, and the edges of the Indian Ocean, killing 230,000 people.
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