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LOOKING BACK AT THE WEEK THAT WAS
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The main stories from the papers
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The latest announcements and policy news
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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, and all the not-to-be-missed statistics.
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GENERAL:
Productivity costs. The Centre for Economic and Business Research (CEBR) highlighted the challenges the government faces around falling public sector productivity arguing that if the trend in declining productivity continues, it could end up costing the government £5.1bn in extra labour costs by 2030.
Sure Start. The IfS rounded up its examination into the impact of the previous Labour government’s Sure Start programme, concluding that its effect on outcomes such as educational attainment and hospitalisations was ‘overwhelmingly positive,’ and while ‘no silver bullet,’ its effects were widespread and exceeded costs.
Child poverty. The Child Poverty Action Group and partners reported on their commissioned research into public attitudes on child poverty showing widespread public support for action from government as it prepares to draw up its overall strategy in this area.
Early childhood. The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood reported on some of the work and support received from banks, companies and supermarkets since the launch of its major Taskforce report last year, with further projects, funding and activity being lined for the year ahead.
Children’s health. The IPPR think tank called for investment in children’s health, arguing in the first of what’s intended to an extended programme of work on the subject, that this could not only benefit families long-term but also generate both economic and social benefits.
Adult numeracy. The charity National Numeracy published a new survey report as part of its annual National Numeracy Day revealing a gender gap when it comes to numbers, with ‘women significantly less confident dealing with numbers and making financial decisions’ than men, calling as a result for greater support to be made available to women.
SCHOOLS:
Teacher pay. The Education Secretary announced that the government had accepted the pay review body’s recommendation of a 4% pay award for teachers from September with schools just required to find the first 1% of the costs of this through efficiencies.
Education Secretary on EdTech. The Education Secretary highlighted the key role that EdTech can play in education in the coming years as she addressed the Education World Forum, announcing shared work on developing guidelines for AI in education and a major international summit on the topic for 2026.
Annual census and report. The Independent Schools Council published its latest annual census and report revealing a 2% drop in pupil numbers and a 2.6% drop in international students following the application of VAT on fees, while continuing to defend a reputation for opportunity and progression both here and abroad.
Pupil engagement. ImpactEd reported on its commissioned research into pupil engagement with school, pointing to Yr 7 being the ‘critical’ moment when pupils start to disengage, particularly girls and disadvantaged pupils, with most failing to re-engage in the same way again.
Mental health services. The children’s commissioner called for ring-fenced funding and the rollout of mental health support teams as she published her latest report into mental health service provision for children and young people, showing lengthening waiting lists and continuing social and regional inequalities over access.
Children’s reading. Waterstone’s Children’s Laureate Frank Cottrell-Boyce and the charity BookTrust launched their Reading Rights report setting out five actions, including training, access to books and multi-agency leadership, needed to help make their call for reading to become a part of daily life for every child, a reality.
FE/SKILLS:
NEET jobs challenges. Impetus and partners published their latest report on the ‘Youth Jobs Gap’ showing that disadvantaged young people, particularly those facing multiple issues including disadvantage, special needs and low qualifications, are twice or more likely to be NEET than their better-off peers, making the case for targeted intervention ‘an imperative.’
Call for evidence. The Skills Commission and Policy Connect launched a Call for Evidence as part of a new Inquiry into tackling the growing number of NEETs, asking for data, case study and other evidence by 12 Sept, on what works or not in this area.
CITB Levy proposals. The CITB announced it now had Consensus support from across the sector for its Levy proposals for the next three years which will see the rates remain the same for 2026-2029.
Engineering workforce. The Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB) published updated data from its Labour Forecasting Tool indicating that 40,000 extra workers will be needed by 2030 with next year being a pivotal year for recruitment.
Skills Bulletin. Edge published its latest Skills Shortages Bulletin looking at inequalities in access to skills which vary greatly across the country and how sectors such as motorsport have tackled the problem.
Improving HTQ approvals. The Gatsby Foundation published a commissioned report looking into the approval process for higher tech qualifications (HTQs) and suggesting ways in which this could be improved, including better partnership working, greater alignment of processes and accepted usage of local data.
English and maths. The Learning and Work Institute along with members of the English and maths Coalition called on the government to strengthen expectations around English and Maths, including bringing back the requirement for adult apprentices and setting a formal resit policy backed up with adequate funding and support.
Foundation apprenticeships. Alison Morris, Head of Policy at the Skills Federation called for greater clarity around the development of Foundation Apprenticeships in a comment piece in FE News, arguing that more flexible approaches may be needed to provide for the growing needs of many NEET young people.
HE:
Grant funding. The Education Secretary announced the funding available under the strategic priorities grant and capital funding for the 2025/26 financial year, down £100m+ on last year with the focus remaining on supporting high-cost strategically important subjects, specialist providers, student access and regulation but aligned to government priorities and review next year.
Student suicides. The government published its commissioned report into student suicide deaths following an upward trend in the decade before 2019, pointing to a number of factors including primarily mental ill health and academic problems and calling for better data, training, support, and access to services generally.
Dear Chancellor. Universities UK wrote to the Chancellor ahead of next month’s Spending Review to highlight the importance of research and of universities’ role in this and calling for the government to use the Review to support research, increase per-student funding, and ease restrictions on international students.
N8 universities. London Economics highlighted the impact that N8, the group of Northern research intensive universities, has on both the region and the UK economy generally, supporting nearly 100,000 jobs, generating over £18bn in economic impact and promoting research generally, concluding with a warning about limiting future funding opportunities.
HE cold spots. UPP Foundation reported on its research in Doncaster, one of the country’s so-called university ‘cold spots,’ finding worries about costs and future jobs, local family roots and limited career guidance among the reasons why young people were not considering going to university, with recommendations on how to change things promised in a report shortly.
V.C. CVs. The HE Policy Institute (HEPI) examined the CVs of university vice-chancellors acknowledging how crucial but equally how challenging the role can be, noting that there has been ‘significant turnover’ in recent years and that those recruited from outside the sector or from a previous VC role tend to perform best.
Research support. The Royal Society announced it was making £30m available over the next two years through its new Faraday Fellowship route to attract global talent and support UK science research and development.
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Research, reports and studies published this week
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COMING UP IN THE NEXT WEEK
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Important reports, deadlines and government events
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Half term and parliamentary recess until Monday 2 June
Year 4 Multiple Tables Check (anytime between Monday 2 June and Friday 13 June)
Education Committee witness session on FE and Skills (Tuesday 3 June)
Universities UK International HE Forum (Wednesday 4 – Thursday 5 June)
DfE due to publish school workforce stats (Thursday 5 June)
DfE due to publish graduate workforce stats (Thursday 5 June)
Westminster Hall debate on the contribution made by maths to the UK (Thursday 5 June)
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Conferences and CPD opportunities
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Thursday 29 May: The Future of the Growth and Skills Levy | AELP (online event)
Wednesday 04 June: Testing times – English testing proficiency, compliance, and HE impact | The PIE (online event)
Wednesday 04 - Thursday 05 June: International Higher Education Forum 2025 | UUK (in-person event)
Thursday 05 June: CST Governance and Trustees Conference 2025 | CST (in-person event)
Thursday 05 June: Improving equality in higher education 2025 | UUK (in-person event)
Saturday 07 June: Reflective practice and support for educators | The Working Group (online event)
Saturday 07 June: researchED Bournemouth | researchED (in-person event) |
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MONDAY 26 MAY
On this day in 1897 Dracula by Irish author Bram Stoker was first published by Archibald Constable and Company in London.
TUESDAY 27 MAY
On this day in 1679 the Habeas Corpus Act was passed in England strengthening a person's right to challenge unlawful arrest and imprisonment.
WEDNESDAY 28 MAY
On this day in 2014 celebrated American poet, author and civil rights activist Maya Angelou died at her home in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
THURSDAY 29 MAY
On this day in 1953 Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay reached the summit of Mount Everest.
FRIDAY 30 MAY
On this day in 1431 Joan of Arc was burned at the stake after being found guilty of heresy.
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