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, 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 below ...
GENERAL Back to Work. The government announced a Back to Work Plan ahead of next week’s Autumn Statement building on funding from the Spring Budget to outline a carrot and stick approach of extending the Restart scheme, developing individual placement and support and launching WorkWell as carrots but with stricter sanctions in some cases, ending access to additional benefits and stricter claims as sticks. The generation gap. The Centre for Social Justice examined the growing gap between young and old in a collection of essays ranging over housing, education and childcare, calling among other things for improving essential skills for children and reforming the student loan system. APPG on Carers. The All-Party Parliamentary Group called in a new report for an urgent national strategy for young carers as it highlighted the challenges many face, including missing school time, losing out on employment, and waiting for support.
SCHOOLS School cuts. Education unions relaunched the ‘Education Cuts’ website ahead of next week’s Autumn Statement, using it to highlight the impact of government funding decisions on mainstream schools in England, arguing that many face real-term cuts from next April. Teacher Wellbeing. The charity Education Support called for better support, training and investment in education professionals as it published its latest annual Index of teacher wellbeing showing a marked increase in teacher stress and anxiety over the past year. Exams 2024. Ofqual invited views on government plans for formulae and equation sheets to be made available to support GCSE candidates in maths, physics and combined science exams next year for the final time, on the basis that they were the final cohort to experience two-years of disrupted education.
FE/SKILLS 2023 exam results. The government published provisional data on this year’s 16-18 results showing an average point score lower than the previous year as grading returned to pre-pandemic arrangements but with the attainment gap improved. Minister’s address. Skills minister Rob Halfon addressed the AoC Conference where he widely praised the sector as ‘a key pillar of his ladder of opportunity’ and set out four challenges it faces including resourcing, T level rollout, responsiveness, and future skills provision. Skills shortages. Edge published its latest Skills Bulletin with contributions from a range of organisations highlighting skills needs and shortages and the importance of helping young people develop the core skills needed to operate in a fast-moving market.
HE LLE. The government published further details on the Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE) which is due to become operative in 2025, promising as part of the next steps, consultation and legislation on funding and fee limits in the spring. Graduate employment. Universities UK published a series of case studies, taken from universities careers services, showing how universities have used such approaches as work experience, student preparation and skillsets to help improve graduate employment rates. Quality matters. The QAA published its latest briefing on the Future of Quality in England, looking at the lessons that could be learned from the evolved nations and calling for a more collaborative approach across the four nations.
Education Committee evidence session on screen time and the impact on education and wellbeing (Tuesday 21 November). The Chancellor presents the Autumn Statement (Wednesday 22 November). Westminster Hall debate on the apprenticeship levy (Wednesday 22 November). Schools and Academies Show (Wednesday 22 November). Employment and Skills Summit online (Thursday 23 November).
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MONDAY 20 NOVEMBER On this day in 284 Roman general Diocletian was proclaimed Emperor by armies of the east and west after the death of Carinus at the Battle of the Margus. On this day in 1805 Ludwig van Beethoven's only opera "Fidelio" premiered at Vienna's Theater an der Wien. On this day in 1945 the Nuremberg war trials began as twenty-four Nazi leaders were put on trial for atrocities committed during World War II.
TUESDAY 21 NOVEMBER On this day in 1941 the fictional cartoon canary Tweety Bird made his debut in "A Tale of Two Kitties". On this day in 1976 "Rocky" directed by John G Avildsen and starring Sylvester Stallone premiered in New York. On this day in 2017 Robert Mugabe's resignation after thirty-seven years in power was read out in Zimbabwe's parliament during impeachment proceedings.
WEDNESDAY 22 NOVEMBER On this day in 1497 Portuguese navigator Vasco da Gama rounded the Cape of Good Hope on the first voyage from Europe to reach India. On this day in 1963 US President John F Kennedy was assassinated by Lee Harvey Oswald while riding in an open-topped motorcade in Dallas, Texas. On this day in 2005 Angela Merkel became the first female Chancellor of Germany.
THURSDAY 23 NOVEMBER On this day in 1499 Flemish imposter Perkin Warbeck who claimed to be the lost son of King Edward IV was executed for allegedly trying to escape from the Tower of London. On this day in 1863 Louis Ducos du Hauron was granted a patent on a process for making colour photographs. On this day in 2019 the Sumatran rhino was officially declared extinct in Malaysia after the last-known specimen died of cancer.
FRIDAY 24 NOVEMBER On this day in 1859 English naturalist Charles Darwin published "On the Origin of Species" radically changing the view of evolution. On this day in 1971 'DB Cooper' hijacked a Boeing 727 and extorted a $200,000 ransom before parachuting out of the plane over Washington State, never to be seen again. On this day in 1974 the most complete early human skeleton, Australopithecus afarensis, nicknamed 'Lucy', was discovered in Ethiopia.
Awareness days from around the world
NOVEMBER IS UK: Veg Pledge, Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month, Mouth Cancer Action Month, National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), Lung Cancer Awareness Month. WORLDWIDE: National Diabetes Month, COPD Awareness Month, National Family Caregivers Month, National Career Development Month, National Scholarship Month, Movember - Men's Health Awareness Month, National Military Family Month, National PPSI Aids Awareness Month, National Medical Science Liaison (MSL) Awareness & Appreciation Month, National Pet Cancer Awareness Month, National Hospice & Palliative Care Month, Stomach Cancer Awareness Month, Worldwide Bereaved Siblings Month, World Vegan Month, Sweet Potato Awareness Month, Spinach And Squash Month, PTA Healthy Lifestyles Month, Prematurity Awareness Month, National Roasting Month, National Raisin Bread Month, National Pomegranate Month, National Pepper Month, National Peanut Butter Lovers Month, National Family Literacy Month, National Native American Heritage Month, National Marrow Awareness Month, National Long-term Care Awareness Month, National Life Writing Month, National Inspirational Role Models Month, National Impotency Month, National Home Care & Hospice Month, National Fun With Fondue Month, National Alzheimer's Disease Month, National Adoption Month, Historic Bridge Awareness Month, Gluten-free Diet Awareness Month, Family Stories Month, Epilepsy Awareness Month, Diabetic Eye Disease Month, Banana Pudding Lovers Month, Aviation History Month, Adopt A Senior Pet Month, National Gratitude Month.
THIS WEEK IS UK: Road Safety Week. WORLDWIDE: National Farm City Week, National Game And Puzzle Week, National Bible Week, Better Conversations Week.
MONDAY 20 NOVEMBER UK: St Edmund's Day. WORLDWIDE: Transgender Day of Remembrance, World Children's Day, National Absurdity Day, National Peanut Butter Fudge Day, Africa Industrialization Day, Name Your PC Day.
TUESDAY 21 NOVEMBER WORLDWIDE: World Television Day, World Hello Day, National Gingerbread Cookie Day, National Red Mitten Day, National Stuffing Day, National Working Daughters Day, Entrepreneurs’ Day, False Confession Day.
WEDNESDAY 22 NOVEMBER WORLDWIDE: Oceans Of Plastic, National Tie One On Day, National Jukebox Day, National Cranberry Relish Day, Go For A Ride Day, DrinksGiving.
THURSDAY 23 NOVEMBER UK: Carers Rights Day, Doctor Who Day. WORLDWIDE: Thanksgiving, Wolfenoot, Fibonacci Day, National Espresso Day, Turkey Free Thanksgiving, National Day Of Mourning, National Eat A Cranberry Day, National Cashew Day.
FRIDAY 24 NOVEMBER UK: Cancer Support Scotland Day. WORLDWIDE: Win Friends and Influence People Day, Unthanksgiving Day / National Day of Mourning, National Day of Listening, Black Friday, Maize Day, National Flossing Day, Buy Nothing Day, National Native American Heritage Day, You're Welcome Giving Day, National Sardines Day, DB Cooper Day, Celebrate Your Unique Talent Day, Sinkie Day, National Illustration Day.
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