Follow this linkto 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, not-to-be-missed statistics and what to look out for next week.

As your starter for ten we've chosen three items from each phase to include below ...

GENERAL
Recruitment problems. The British Chambers of Commerce published its latest Quarterly Recruitment Outlook showing that 76% of businesses were still having problems finding staff, with manufacturing facing the biggest problems, followed by hospitality, logistics and construction/engineering.
Rising poverty levels. The TUC called for benefits to be increased in line with inflation and for the minimum wage to be increased to £15 an hour as it published survey evidence at its annual Congress showing that I in 7 people across the UK were having to skip meals to make ends meet.
Cost-of-living. Barnardo’s highlighted the impact of the cost-of-living as it published a new report and YouGov survey showing that increasing numbers of families were struggling to cope, with just over half cutting back on food spending over the last year.
 
SCHOOLS
GCSE performance. The government released provisional data on GCSE KS4 performance this summer showing that 49.6% of pupils achieved a 5 or above in English and maths, down on last year but up on the pre-pandemic year, but also a further widening of the overall disadvantage gap.
School meals. Leading education organisations wrote to ministers urging them to extend free school meals, particularly to all families on benefit, given the current cost-of-living crisis.
National Tutoring Programme. The NFER reported on its commissioned evaluation of the first year of the National Tutoring Programme where two ‘pillars,’ one on tuition support and one on mentoring, were offered especially to pupils most in need, finding some evidence of improved scores in English and maths in the former but less evidence of positive impact from the latter, pointing generally to the need for greater clarity around design and approach in future. 
 
FE/SKILLS
Skills Coalition. The AoC, AELP and City and Guilds announced they had joined forces to create a ‘Future Skills Coalition,’ that would campaign on and promote the importance of technical and vocational education and seek to see it as a fully funded priority for the country.
L2 and below qualifications. The government issued its response to the March 2022 consultation on post-16 qualifications at level 2 and below, confirming that it will proceed with the main proposals which will see a number of qualifications defunded although it will now fund vocational taster courses at Entry 1 and 2, allow for more flexibility for employment qualifications at L2 and move the first teaching of reformed qualifications to 2025 rather than 2024.
Improving skills. Rob Halfon, Chair of the Education Committee outlined in a comment piece on comservativehome four ways in which skill levels could be improved despite the current economic difficulties, listing introducing a Skills Tax Credit, reforming the apprenticeship levy, building on the apprenticeship programme and focusing on careers guidance. 
 
HIGHER EDUCATION
International students. Universities UK highlighted the vital economic and social contribution that international students make to the UK, following concerns that the government is considering limiting their numbers.
R/D. The Russell Group called on the government to prioritise science, and research and development as it prepares to publish its medium-term fiscal plan, calling in particular for simpler bureaucracy when it comes to funding along with targeted support for spinouts and start-ups and innovation hubs focused around research-intensive universities.
Work and wellbeing. The Institute of Student Employers reported on research being undertaken by HESA and others into the correlation between the nature of work and worker wellbeing, with the latest evidence suggesting a strong relationship between the two especially among Gen Z employees.
 

Tuesday 25 October: RISE: The Role Of Purpose In Driving Change In Education Systems | UKFIET (online event)
Thursday 27 October: Graduate Employability Conference 2022 | Inside Government (Central London Conference)
Monday 31 October: Immigration & Student Visa Webinar | AoC (online event)

Running an education-related event that you'd like to see included in our calendar? Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with details and a link to the booking info.

OCTOBER IS: 
 
UK:
Go Sober for October, Book Month, Black History Month, Unblocktober, Arts and Humanities Month, Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Mental Health Month, Museums and Galleries Month, Learning and Development Month, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Cholesterol Month, Pituitary Awareness Month, Lupus Awareness Month, UDEP Action Month, Crime Prevention Month, Fire Prevention Month, Computer Learning Month, Emotional Intelligence Awareness Month, Seed Gathering Season.
 
INTERNATIONAL:
Global Diversity Awareness Month, School Libraries Month, Walk to School Month, The Big Draw, Fair Trade Month, World Animal Month, World Autism Month, World Habitat Awareness Month, World Menopause Month, ADHD Awareness Month, AIDS Awareness Month, Blindness Awareness Month, Bat Appreciation Month, Dyslexia Awareness Month, CMT Awareness Month, Family History Month, Halloween Safety Month, Healthy Lung Month, Health Literacy Month, Dysautonomia Awareness Month, Celebrate the Bilingual Child Month, Down Syndrome Awareness Month, Eat Better-Eat Together Month, Emotional Wellness Month, Head Start Awareness Month, Long Term Care Planning Month, Medical Ultrasound Awareness Month, Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, Critical Illness Awareness Month, Liver Awareness Month, Spina Bifida Awareness Month, Prenatal-onset GBS Disease Recognition Month, Rett Syndrome Awareness Month, 
 
US & CANADA:
Bullying Prevention Awareness Month, Canadian Library Month, LGBTQ+ History Month, Cyber Security Awareness Month, Depression Education and Awareness Month, Dental Hygiene/Orthodontic Health Month, Adopt a Shelter Dog Month, Black Cat Awareness Month, Pet Wellness Month, Physical Therapy Month, Work and Family Month, Indigenous Peoples Month, Polish American Heritage Month, Italian-American Heritage Month, German-American Heritage Month, Filipino American History Month, Pasta Month, Pizza Month, Pescatarian Month, Disability Employment Awareness Month, Caffeine Addiction Recovery Month, American Cheese Month, American Pharmacists Month, Country Music Month, Church Library Month, Contact Lens Safety Month, Eye Injury Prevention Month, Financial Planning Month, Hog Out Month, Animal Safety and Protection Month, Apple Month, Caramel Month, Chili Month, Chiropratic Month, Cookbook Month, Cookie Month, Audiology Awareness Month, Dessert Month, Ergonomics Month, Medical Librarians Month, Non-GMO Month, Pickled Petters Month, Pitbull Awareness Month, Pretzel Month, Protect Your Hearing Month, Sausage Month, Squirrel Awareness Month, Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 to October 15).

THIS WEEK IS:
Global Media and Information Literacy Week (International) Brain Tumour Awareness Week (International: from 29 October to 05 November), Disarmament Week (UN), Bat Appreciation Week (International), Polar Bear Week (International), Digital Parenting Week (International), Grandparents Week (International), International Brain Tumour Awareness Week (International), Temperature Check Week (US).

MONDAY 24 OCTOBER
Kali Puja (Religious – Hindu), Lakshmi Puja (Religious – Hindu), Diwali (Religious – Hindu), Naraka Chaturdashi (Religious – Hindu), World Development Information Day (International), World Polio Day (International), World Meningitis Day (International), World Tripe Day (International), United Nations Day (UN), Food Day (US), Bologna Day (US), Senior UTI Awareness Day (US), Jamaican ***** Day (US), Elizabeth Day (US), Chulalongkorn Day (Thailand), Kangaroo Awareness Day (Australia), Labour Day (New Zealand), Independence Day (Zambia).

TUESDAY 25 OCTOBER
Laxmi Puja (Religious – Hindu), Dwarfism Awareness Day (International), International Artist Day (International), World Pasta Day (International), World Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Day (International), MDS World Awareness Day (International), World Opera Day (International), I Care About You Day (US), Merri Music Day (US), Crisp Sandwich Day (US), Greasy Foods Day (US), Sourest Day (US), Punk for a Day (US), Chucky The Notorious Killer Doll Day (US), Danielle Day (US), Yasmin Day (US), Fine Art Appreciation Day (US), Hope for Henry Day (US).

WEDNESDAY 26 OCTOBER
Bhai Dooj (Religious – Hindu), Black Cat Day (UK), Cheese Toastie Day (UK), Austrian National Day (Austria), Pumpkin Day (US), Chicken Fried Steak Day (US), Microneedling Day (US), Mule Day (US), Mincemeat Day (US), Lung Health Day (US), Day of the Deployed (US), Financial Crime Fighter Day (US), Noah Day (US), Tennessee Day (US), Transgender Children Day (US).
 
THURSDAY 27 OCTOBER
World Day for Audiovisual Heritage (International), Cheese Toastie Day (UK), Black Cat Day (UK), Cranky Co-Workers Day (UK), Mentoring Day (UK), Navy Day (US), American Beer Day (US), Henry C Ramos Day (US), St Vincent and the Grenadines Independence Day, Turkmenistan Independence Day, Civics Day (US).
 
FRIDAY 28 OCTOBER
Chhath Puja (Religious – Hindu), Animation Day (International), World Lemur Day (International), Global Champagne Day (International), Plush Animal Lover’s Day (US), Breadstick Day (US), Immigrants Day (US), Chocolate Day (US), First Responders Day (US), Frankenstein Friday (US), Pharmacy Buyer Day (US), Wild Foods Day (US), Internal Medicine Day (US), Chucks-N-Pearls Day (US), Czech Founding Day (Czechoslovakia), William Day (US), Bandana Day (Australia).

SATURDAY 29 OCTOBER
World Psoriasis Day (International), World Stroke Day (International), RSPB Feed the Birds Day (UK), Republic Day (Turkey), Indigenous People’s Thanksgiving Day (Philippines), Pit Bull Awareness Day (US), Martina Day (US), Cat Day (US), Prescription Drug Take Back Day (US), Internet Day (US), Oatmeal Day (US), Hug a Sheep Day (US), Muddy Dog Day (US), Hermit Day (US).
 
SUNDAY 30 OCTOBER
Mischief Night (International), Daylight Saving Time (British Summertime) Ends (UK), Pension Tracing Day (UK), Haunted Refrigerator Night (US), Create a Great Funeral Day (US), Candy Corn Day (US), Speak Up for Service Day (US), Treat Your Pet Day (US), Text Your Ex Day (US), Checklist Day (US), Publicist Day (US), Pastor Appreciation Day (US), Visit a Cemetery Day (US).