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 Visa changes. The government announced a number of changes to its entry and visa arrangements for foreign workers and students which included raising the minimum salary threshold for skilled worker visas apart from those in health and care, reviewing jobs on the list of shortage occupations, and calling for a review of the graduate visa route. Economic forecast. The British Chambers of Commerce published its latest economic forecast pointing to ‘sluggish’ growth for at least the next three years with core inflation slowing and average earnings improving but the unemployment rate remaining high. Child poverty. UNICEF published its latest Report Card on child poverty affecting OECD and EU countries, pointing to the fact that some 69m children live in families earning below the average national income and showing that some of the least well-off countries are managing to reduce child poverty while some of the richer countries are lagging behind.
SCHOOLS RAAC. The government published its latest list of schools and colleges affected by unsafe (RAAC) concrete, adding a further 17 institutions to the overall list and indicating that at least three secondary schools are having to resort to a mix of face-to-face and remote learning. Digital exams. The exam board OCR announced that following a successful pilot, students starting their GCSEs in 2025 will be able to take a fully digital GCSE in Computer Science, subject to regulatory approval by Ofqual, but with paper-based versions to remain where needed and with more subjects expected to follow in time. ITT. The government published latest figures for initial teacher training for 2023/24 showing a notable drop in both undergraduate and postgraduate recruitment compared to the previous year.
FE/SKILLS New Strategy. The Education and Training Foundation announced a new strategy built around four core ‘goals,’ including improving teaching and learning across the FE and skills sector, driving professionalism, championing inclusion and supporting sector change. T levels. The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE) invited bids from awarding organisations ‘to refresh and develop’ seven existing T levels including Education and Early Years, Digital Support Services and Onsite Construction. The other 50%. The EDSK think tank examined the plight of young people who don’t follow the traditional academic route through to university, finding the ‘ladder of opportunity’ missing for many and calling in a new report for redesigned traineeship and apprenticeship programmes, employer training programmes targeted at 16–24-year-olds and an independent review into T levels.
HE Horizon. The government formally completed the UK sign-up to the EU Horizon and Copernicus programmes as it prepared to push UK research and innovation as part of the £80bn schemes, with a new comms programme and support for UK bodies looking to bid for the first time. Visa review. Universities UK reassured international students that UK universities remained ‘an attractive destination’ and that the graduate route remains ‘part of the essential offer’ as it issued a response to government plans for a review of the graduate visa route. UCAS report. UCAS published its End of Cycle data for 2023 showing ‘a year-on-year decline’ in applications and admissions including among international students but with overall numbers still up on the last pre-pandemic figures along with an increase in those with a disability and progress in access and participation.
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MONDAY 11 DECEMBER On this day in 1792 France's King Louis XVI went on trial accused of high treason and crimes against the state. On this day in 1913 Leonardo da Vinci's 'Mona Lisa' was recovered two years after it was stolen from the Louvre Museum in Paris. On this day in 1936 Edward VIII became the first English monarch to voluntarily abdicate the throne after ruling for less than one year.
TUESDAY 12 DECEMBER On this day in 1901 Guglielmo Marconi sent the first transatlantic radio signal from Poldhu in Cornwall to Newfoundland, Canada. On this day in 1980 American oil tycoon Armand Hammer paid over $5million for a notebook containing writings by legendary artist Leonardo da Vinci. On this day in 2019 the deepest point on land was identified under the Denman Glacier, east Antarctica at 3.5km (11,500ft) below sea level.
WEDNESDAY 13 DECEMBER On this day in 1577 Francis Drake set sail from England on an epic three year circumnavigation of the world aboard the 'Pelican' (later renamed the 'Golden Hind'). On this day in 1920 the League of Nations established the International Court of Justice in The Hague. On this day in 2003 former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein was captured near his home town of Tikrit during Operation 'Red Dawn' by US forces.
THURSDAY 14 DECEMBER On this day in 1900 the quantum theory of modern physics was born when German physicist Max Planck presented a theoretical derivation of his black-body radiation law. On this day in 1911 Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen and his team reached the South Pole becoming the first men in recorded history to set foot on the most southern point on Earth. On this day in 2016 University of Toronto scientists presented findings of the world's oldest pool of water dated at two billion years old from a mine in Canada.
FRIDAY 15 DECEMBER On this day in 1593 the State of Holland granted a patent on a windmill with a crankshaft that converted circular motion into a vertical sawing motion. On this day in 1612 German astronomer Simon Marius became the first person to observe the Andromeda galaxy through a telescope. On this day in 2001 the Leaning Tower of Pisa reopened after a team of experts spent eleven years to fortify the tower and reduce its tilt.
Awareness days from around the world
DECEMBER IS UK: Decembeard. WORLDWIDE: Safe Toys & Gifts Month, International Sharps Injury Prevention Awareness Month, World Twin To Twin Transfusion Syndrome Awareness Month, Tomato And Winter Squash Month, Quince And Watermelon Month, Learn A Foreign Language Month, National Car Donation Month, National Pear Month, Worldwide Food Service Safety Month, Universal Human Rights Month, Spiritual Literacy Month, Root Vegetables and Exotic Fruits Month, Operation Santa Paws, National Tie Month, Write A Business Plan Month, National Human Rights Month, National Drunk & Drugged Driving Prevention Month, Bingo's Birthday Month, A Blue Christmas, Gift Of Sight Month.
MONDAY 11 DECEMBER UK: Postal Workers Day. WORLDWIDE: National Stretching Day, National App Day, National Noodle Ring Day, International Mountain Day, UNICEF Day for Change, National Have a Bagel Day, Green Monday, Metal Music Day.
TUESDAY 12 DECEMBER WORLDWIDE: International Day of Neutrality, National Workplace Day of Remembrance, International Universal Health Coverage Day, National Ding-A-Ling Day, National Ambrosia Day, National Poinsettia Day, National Gingerbread House Day.
WEDNESDAY 13 DECEMBER UK: National Hot Chocolate Day. WORLDWIDE: National Guard Birthday, National Violin Day, National Cocoa Day, National Day of the Horse, Pick A Pathologist Day.
THURSDAY 14 DECEMBER WORLDWIDE: Martyred Intellectuals Day, National Alabama Day, National Bouillabaisse Day, Monkey Day, National Screwdriver Day, Roast Chestnuts Day, Free Shipping Day, Sustainable Entrepreneurship Day.
FRIDAY 15 DECEMBER WORLDWIDE: International Tea Day, National Wear Your Pearls Day, Ugly Christmas Sweater Day, National Cupcake Day, National Underdog Day, Cat Herders Day, Bill of Rights Day.
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