GENERAL

• Project leadership. The government confirmed that the Oxford Saïd Business School had been awarded the contract to deliver the next phase of the Major Projects Leadership Academy, providing senior government officials with features like digital training to help deliver major projects more efficiently.
• Life Sciences. The government invited companies to submit expressions of interest (by the end of the month) for Wave 3 of Phase 1 of its Life Sciences Innovative Manufacturing Fund where £60m has been made available to support the manufacture of human medicines, medical diagnostics and MedTech products.
• National Manufacturing. The Minister for Industry addressed the Make UK National Manufacturing dinner where he outlined the government’s support for the sector, highlighted latest developments and announced the launch later this year of a new manufacturing investment prospectus.

SCHOOLS

• Ukrainian pupils. The Education Secretary wrote to schools and local authorities thanking them for their efforts in helping Ukrainian families settle in, and outlining the curriculum resources and guidance available to help with Ukrainian pupils in school.
• National Tutoring participation. The government confirmed plans to publish data from this autumn that would be shared with Ofsted and others on how schools in England were adopting the National Tutoring Programme.
• Exam stress. The charity Young Minds published guides for both pupils and parents on coping with revision and exam stress, with a range of supportive tips offered in both cases. 

• Local Skills Improvement Plans. The government invited employer groups wishing to become lead players in drawing up local skills improvement plans to submit expressions of interest by 6 June 2022, listing four application criteria and promising statutory guidance and funding to follow. 
• Investing in skills. The Learning and Work Institute with NOCN called in a new report for a much more ambitious approach to skills training, arguing that employer investment in training had fallen in recent years and calling for ‘a new long-term plan for skills and growth’ that would include a reformed apprenticeship levels and a new Skills Tax Credit.
• Cyber skills. The government published its latest report into UK cyber skills gaps and shortages, pointing to a continuing shortage of skilled staff and of training, with the workforce gap worsening over recent years.

HIGHER EDUCATION

• Student complaints. The Office of the Independent Adjudicator published its annual report for 2021 showing a 6% rise on the previous year in the number of student complaints lodged, many related to the pandemic and involving service issues such as teaching and facilities. 
• Value for money. The Russell Group published its response to the government’s consultation on HE financing and value for money, calling for the development of a new funding formula within the next 2/3 years, a rethink around minimum entry requirements, and further work around improving admissions arrangements.
• In our view. Universities UK published its response to the government’s consultation on a Lifelong Loan Entitlement broadly welcoming its potential and the opportunity to create a strong modular system but stressing the need for it to be available for all learners through a range of routes.