Letter to The Times
Sir, We welcome the work of the Times Education Commission and urge the government to look seriously at its recommendations. The pandemic has created a reset moment and it is imperative that education is put back at the top of the political agenda to boost productivity and make a reality of the levelling-up agenda.
The commission has highlighted the importance of taking a serious, long-term approach to education, from the early years, through school, to further and higher education and lifelong learning, to better prepare young people for the challenges they face. The changing world of work, stalled social mobility, the growing mental health crisis and new technology means that reform is more important than ever to capitalise on all the country’s talent.
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Sir Tony Blair, Prime Minister 1997-2007; Sir John Major, Prime Minister 1990-97; Justine Greening, Education Secretary 2016-18; Baroness Morgan of Cotes, Education Secretary 2014-16; Ed Balls, Education Secretary 2007-10; Alan Johnson, Education Secretary 2006-7; Ruth Kelly, Education Secretary 2004-6; Charles Clarke, Education Secretary 2002-4; Baroness Morris of Yardley, Education Secretary 2001-2; Lord Blunkett, Education Secretary 1997-2001; Baroness Shephard of Northwold, Education Secretary 1994-97; Lord Baker of Dorking, Education Secretary 1986-89; Lord Adonis, education minister 2005-08; Lord O’Donnell, Cabinet Secretary 2005-11; Sir Richard Sykes, chair, The Royal Institution; Lord Puttnam, film producer, chair, Atticus Education; Sir Michael Barber, former government adviser, founder and chairman, Delivery Associates; Lord Willetts, president, the Resolution Foundation; Baroness Casey of Blackstock, former government adviser on social policy; Kevin Ellis, chairman and Senior Partner, PwC UK; Dame Sharon White, chairman, John Lewis Partnership; Brent Hoberman, entrepreneur, co-founder, 01 Founders, Lastminute.com, Made.com; Andrew Law, chairman and chief executive officer, Caxton Associates; Sir Charlie Mayfield, chairman, QA Ltd, former chairman, John Lewis Partnership; Priya Lakhani, chief executive officer, Century Tech; Tabitha Goldstaub, co-founder, CogX, chair, the AI Council; Sir Roger Carr, chair, BAE Systems; Tony Danker; director general, the Confederation of British Industry; Dame Kate Bingham, managing partner, SV Health Investors; Lord Winston, professor of science and society, Imperial College London; Sir Paul Nurse, chief executive officer, the Francis Crick Institute; Sir Nick Hytner, theatre director, film director and producer; Rufus Norris, artistic director and joint chief executive, National Theatre; Maria Balshaw, director, Tate; Tim Bevan, film producer, co-chairman, Working Title Films; Eric Fellner, film producer, co-chairman, Working Title Films; Lisa Bryer, film producer; Barbara Broccoli, film and stage producer; Michael G Wilson, film and stage producer.
