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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: The Chancellor’s Spring Statement. The Chancellor reported on the UK economy in a set piece speech to MPs, highlighting figures from the OBR’s latest outlook report on growth, inflation, borrowing and unemployment to suggest that while global uncertainty remained challenging and forecasts uncertain, her economic plan was the right one.
OBR Report. The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) published its latest ‘outlook’ report on the UK economy with five-year forecasts and figures to accompany the Chancellor’s Spring Statement, pointing to borrowing down and unemployment due to peak but listing concerns around welfare spending, pressures on depts and the current geopolitical situation.
Spring Statement verdict (1.) The IfS put forward its assessment of the Chancellor’s Spring Statement, suggesting that partly because of global tensions and partly because of a forthcoming planned speech, it was largely a ‘holding exercise,’ but pointing to three risks, including rising unemployment, falling net migration and stock market volatility, likely to shape future Budget planning.
Spring Statement verdict (2). The Resolution Foundation published its perspective on the Chancellor’s Spring Statement acknowledging the thinking behind keeping it low key but arguing that with familiar challenges remaining she should have seized the opportunity to put forward some bold options.
Consultation on social media use. The government launched a major three-month consultation on digital and social media use by young people with views sought on a range of matters including minimum age usage, age verification and tackling addictive features.
Antisemitism Review. The government called on Sir David Bell to lead an independent review into “the policies, procedures and support available to schools and colleges in England when dealing with antisemitism,” with a call for evidence to be issued shortly and a final report due this autumn.
Industrial policy. The EU outlined measures to boost ‘Made in EU’ and low-carbon products as part of a new Industrial Accelerator Act intended to support manufacturing, a shift towards cleaner, future-ready technologies and a strengthened EU industrial base generally.
Children’s commissioner. The children’s commissioner reported on the work of her organisation over the past year and important work ahead as she headed into the final year in her role. SCHOOLS: Exams malpractice. Sir Ian Bauckham, Ofqual Chief Regulator, pointed to mobile phones in exam halls and misuse of AI as two growing areas of concern ahead of this year’s exam/assessment season, calling on exam board chiefs to confirm with him arrangements for tackling such risks.
Ofqual consultation. Ofqual launched a three-week consultation on the continued provision of support materials, such as formulae and equation sheets for current GCSE maths, physics and combined science exams.
On-screen assessment. Exam board AQA published its response to Ofqual’s consultation on regulating on-screen assessment, calling for Ofqual to be bolder in its approach and allow for more subjects to be rolled out albeit with fewer student numbers.
Support staff. The NFER called on the government to do more to help schools recruit support staff and to consider how far low pay is a factor as it published the latest annual report on the support staff workforce in schools, showing the importance and further widening of their responsibilities but also low morale and retention difficulties.
Secondary school places. The government outlined procedures around this week’s secondary school offers to families, noting that last year 83.5% of families were offered their first choice, (data for this year follows in June,) and how to appeal where necessary.
SEND transport. The Public Accounts Committee called on the government to provide clarity about the costs and support available for transport for SEND children, pointing to the importance of such transport to families but equally the growing burden of costs on councils. Allergy training. The government announced the introduction of compulsory allergy awareness training for staff along with a clear school policy on the matter to take effect from this September as it responded to concerns raised by families and campaigners.
Two-stage maths. BBC presenter and professor Hannah Fry argued that the current Maths GCSE was trying to do too much at once, calling instead for a two-stage qualification with all students taking a core qualification and only high-performing students taking a more advanced paper. Careers education. The Careers and Enterprise Company published its annual report for last year pointing to a ‘strengthening’ system with students and employers more involved, as it set out a 5-point blueprint around early intervention and updated benchmarks for further improving the system.
Strike ballot. The NEU announced an indicative online ballot for strike action among members over the government’s current pay proposals and workload demands, with voting due to close on 17 April 2026. FE/SKILLS: Adult learning. The cross-party parliamentary group on FE and Lifelong Learning announced an inquiry into adult education, with five sessions on areas such as policy and funding, skills and workforce needs, and social mobility and inclusion, set to be held over the coming months and a report due later this year.
College enrichment. The AoC highlighted as part of this year’s Colleges Week, the importance of enrichment activities and spread of opportunities available through colleges to help 16-19 learners develop the skills and resilience needed for future progression.
College support. The children’s commissioner highlighted the important role that colleges play in supporting many young people at a critical transition time in their lives as she published a new report for Colleges Week, calling as part of this for better transport links, data sharing and funding generally to strengthen the work. Apprenticeships. The Edge Foundation announced a new project with Amazing Apprenticeships that would run over the summer term and help bring together small businesses and young people to consider apprenticeship opportunities.
Possible merger. The government confirmed plans for ECITB and CITB, who have been working closely together in many areas since an independent review last year, to consult formally on becoming one body to help address priority skill needs in engineering and construction. HE:
Study visas. The Home Secretary announced an ‘emergency brake’ on study visas from four countries: Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar and Sudan, to come into force from 26 March this year following claims of ‘visa abuse’
Creative HE Strategy. GuildHE launched a call for evidence as it looked to create a roadmap ‘to champion the transformative power of creative higher education’ as part of its Creative HE Strategy Project.
Student accommodation. The Save the Student (money) website reported on its latest annual survey of student accommodation showing annual rental costs now up to £575 pcm with some 60% of those surveyed indicating they struggled to meet the costs and over 60% having issues with their accommodation.
Student loans. The IPPR think tank added its thoughts to the continuing debate over the costs of student loans, especially those on Plan 2, calling for ‘targeted relief’ through either raising the threshold at which debts start to be repaid or reducing the repayment rate.
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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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MPs consideration of Lords Amendments to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill (Monday 9 March)
Education Committee evidence session on forced adoption (Tuesday 10 March)
Work and Pensions Committee evidence session on youth education and training (Wednesday 11 March)
Science and Tech Committee evidence session on social media age restrictions (Wednesday 11 March)
Learning and Work Institute ‘No train, no gain’ webinar (Wednesday 11 March)
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Conferences and CPD opportunities
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Monday 09 March: Next steps for higher education admissions in England | Westminster Forum (online event)
Tuesday 10 - Wednesday 11 March: Digifest 2026 | Jisc (in-person event)
Wednesday 11 March: SEND Update - London | Optimus Education (in-person event)
Thursday 12 March: Next steps for the National Youth Strategy | Westminster Forum (online event)
Thursday 12 March: MAT Executive Leadership - London | Optimus Education (in-person event)
Friday 13 - Saturday 14 March: ASCL Annual Conference 2026 | ASCL (in-person event |
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MONDAY 09 MARCH
On this day in 1959 the first Barbie doll went on display at the American Toy Fair in New York City.
TUESDAY 10 MARCH
On this day in 1969 James Earl Ray pled guilty to murdering American civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.
WEDNESDAY 11 MARCH
On this day in 1851 Giuseppe Verdi's opera Rigoletto premiered at the Teatro La Fenice in Venice, Italy.
THURSDAY 12 MARCH
On this day in 1930 Mahatma Gandhi began his famous 200-mile protest march against the widely hated British salt tax in India.
FRIDAY 13 MARCH
On this day in 2003 the journal Nature reported that 350,000-year-old footprints of an upright-walking human had been found in Italy.
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