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 Public services. The IPPR think tank highlighted the challenges facing a new government over reforming public services, calling in a new report for a set of mission bodies to be created, and supported with funds for training workers and new technology to help drive reform in sectors like health, schools and the law courts. Future Signals. The innovation foundation, NESTA, listed what it called ‘seven Future Signals’ which could emerge this year and help shape the future, built around two core themes -the environment and digitalisation and including such features as virtual hospital wards at home and countries making digital twins to mitigate natural disasters. Childcare. The government launched the application process for eligible working parents of two-year olds to be able to claim 15 hours free childcare a week from this April.
SCHOOLS Ofsted. Sir Martyn Oliver, Ofsted’s new chief inspector, announced a delay in school inspections to allow for inspectors to undertake mental awareness training following the tragic death of Ruth Perry and also declared a major listening programme to help strengthen the relationship with parents and professionals in the future. Exams 2025. Pearson announced that subject to regulatory approval, students would be able to sit GCSE English Language and Literature exams onscreen next summer if they so wish, and that all its GCSEs would have an onscreen option by 2030. Exams 2024. The government confirmed that it wouldn’t be possible to change exams and assessments this year for specific groups of pupils whose learning had been disrupted by the concrete crisis in schools but that schools could "get in touch with their exam boards for support on a case-by-case basis" where necessary.
FE/SKILLS Adult skills. The Learning and Work Institute called on the government to fund and support an increased target of 90% of adults to have the essential skills they need by 2035 rather than the current aim of 75%, as it published new modelling showing ‘significant disparities’ in essential skill levels within rather than between regions.
HE Student numbers. The House of Commons Library Service published a report on student numbers in UKHE looking at major trends and developments from over recent years, showing a continued increase in entry rates including among disadvantaged groups for f/t undergraduates but a less rosy picture for mature, p/t and EU applicants. EU research programmes. The House of Commons Library Service also published a briefing on the rules, regulations and funding for the two EU research programmes of Horizon and Copernicus which the UK formally rejoined this week. Turing Scheme. The government published a research report into the first year of the Turing Scheme for international student exchanges, finding participants positive about the benefits of the Scheme but providers concerned about the admin involved in getting started and some concerns about late approval of places and funding, with the report recommending improvements to the application process accordingly.
MPs return (Monday 08 January 2024). Education Committee evidence session on the impact of screen time on education and wellbeing (Tuesday 09 January 2024). Westminster Hall debate on access to free school meals for children with special needs (Wednesday 10 January 2024).
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MONDAY 08 JANUARY On this day in 1656 Haarlems Dagblad, the oldest surviving commercial newspaper, was first published in the Netherlands. On this day in 1790 the first US President George Washington delivered the inaugural State of the Union address. On this day in 1959 Charles de Gaulle became president of France.
TUESDAY 09 JANUARY On this day in 1768 British equestrian Philip Astley staged the world's first modern circus in London. On this day in 1969 the Concorde supersonic jetliner made its maiden test flight out of Bristol. On this day in 2007 Apple CEO Steve Jobs introduced the iPhone for the first time calling it a 'revolutionary and magical product'.
WEDNESDAY 10 JANUARY On this day in 1863 the London underground railway opened between Paddington (then called Bishop's Road) and Farringdon Street. On this day in 1946 the first General Assembly of the United Nations convened at Westminster Central Hall in London. On this day in 2008 Tata Motors debuted the Nano at the New Delhi Auto Expo in India billing it as the world’s cheapest car.
THURSDAY 11 JANUARY On this day in 1879 the Anglo-Zulu War began as British troops under Lieutenant-General Lord Chelmsford invaded Zululand in South Africa. On this day in 1922 14-year-old Leonard Thompson became the first person to receive an injection of insulin to treat his type 1 diabetes. On this day in 1935 Amelia Earhart successfully completed a solo flight from Hawaii to California.
FRIDAY 12 JANUARY On this day in 1684 French King Louis XIV secretly married Madame de Maintenon in a private ceremony. On this day in 1908 the first long-distance radio message was broadcast from the Eiffel Tower in Paris. On this day in 2010 a massive earthquake devastated Haiti claiming an estimated 316,000 lives and destroyed the majority of the capital Port-au-Prince.
Awareness days from around the world
JANUARY IS UK: Love Your Liver Month, Veganuary, Dry January. WORLDWIDE: Walk Your Dog Month, National Mentoring Month, National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, World Health Esteem Month, National CBD Month, National Soup Month, National Slow Cooking Month, National Braille Literacy Month, Veganuary, Dry January, National Hobby Month, Hot Tea Month, National Oatmeal Month, National Blood Donor Month, National Menudo Month, National Bath Safety Month, National Black Diamond Month, National Sunday Supper Month, Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, Red January (Beat The Winter Blues), Ginuary.
THIS WEEK IS UK: Houseplant Week, Big Schools Birdwatch. WORLDWIDE: National Mocktail Week, National Obesity Awareness Week.
MONDAY 08 JANUARY UK: National Argyle Day. WORLDWIDE: Earth’s Rotation Day, National Career Coach Day, National Winter Skin Relief Day, National Clean Your Desk Day, National JoyGerm Day, National English Toffee Day, National Bubble Bath Day, Plough Monday, National Fourth Graders Day, World Typing Day, National Gluten Free Day, Coming of Age Day, Show & Tell At Work Day.
TUESDAY 09 JANUARY WORLDWIDE: National Balloon Ascension Day, National Shop for Travel Day, National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, National Apricot Day, National Static Electricity Day, International Choreographers Day, Play God Day, Poetry at Work Day, National Cassoulet Day, National Word Nerd Day.
WEDNESDAY 10 JANUARY WORLDWIDE: National Houseplant Appreciation Day, National Oysters Rockefeller Day, National Save the Eagles Day, National Cut Your Energy Costs Day, National Bittersweet Chocolate Day, National Take the Stairs Day, Peculiar People Day.
THURSDAY 11 JANUARY WORLDWIDE: Paget’s Awareness Day, National Human Trafficking Awareness Day, National Arkansas Day, National Step in a Puddle and Splash Your Friends Day, National Milk Day, International Parity at Work Day, National Hot Toddy Day, National Learn Your Name In Morse Code Day, National Girl Hug Boy Day, Secret Pal Day, Heritage Treasures Day, World Sketchnote Day.
FRIDAY 12 JANUARY WORLDWIDE: National Marzipan Day, National Curried Chicken Day, National Pharmacist Day, Kiss A Ginger Day, Work Harder Day, National Youth Day, National Hot Tea Day.
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