GENERAL: Labour market latest. The ONS published its latest estimated figures for the UK labour market, showing unemployment hitting ‘a near record five-year high’ at 5.2% for the last three months of last year, higher for 16-24 yr olds at 16.1%, and with wage growth slowing to 4.2%.
Labour Market Outlook. The CIPD pointed to ‘subdued hiring intentions’ and increased employment insecurity with the government’s Employment Rights Act largely to blame as it published its latest Labour Market Outlook based on evidence collated from 2,000+ HR professionals over late Dec/mid-January.
Spring Forecast. The Resolution Foundation set out the economic context ahead of next month’s Spring Statement calling on the government to avoid changes, adopt a low-key approach but ‘double down’ on growth to support families and young people.
Covid-19 Inquiry. The public Inquiry into the UK’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic, which first sat in 2022 and took its first public hearings a year later, began its 10th and final hearing at the start of this week, focusing on the impact of the pandemic on key groups such as the bereaved and key workers, with a report set for next year.
Jobcentres on wheels. The government announced that it was rolling out its mobile Jobcentres to take in a further six areas in England and Wales, locating the vans outside supermarkets and football stadiums, bringing job support services nearer to people. SCHOOLS: Social media action. The government pledged to tackle illegal online content created by AI and to move quickly on a possible ban on mobile devices for under 16s, should the current consultation recommend any particular such action.
Time spent on EHCPs. The government published commissioned research on the time spent by different local authority professionals in drawing up and issuing EHCPs, suggesting ‘something in the region of 56-68 hours.’
About the Boys. Researchers at the OU and Bournemouth called for a better understanding of boys and the issues they face, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, as they published a new report looking into teacher perceptions of boys and young men and the accompanying disconnect that often follows.
Online Exams. The Observer investigated how things are looking around digital exams, looking in particular at the AQA exam board which is keen to move forward in this area as the Ofqual consultation on appropriate regulation moves into its final weeks. FE/SKILLS: Migration and skills. The Migration Observatory called for better data linking migration and skills as it published a new report, showing that increased UK training didn’t necessarily translate into increased Skilled Worker visas or reduce the numbers on non-work visa routes.
Committee response. The Skills Federation published its response to the Work and Pensions Committee Inquiry into youth employment, reinforcing many of the measures around careers guidance, apprenticeship flexibility and employer engagement made in their response to the Milburn Review, while emphasising the case for financial incentives for employer investment and a defined NEET reduction target.
Design Brief. WorldSkills UK and the DfE launched a new competition, inviting students and apprentices to “design and create a small, beautiful, and sustainable gift that reflects the essence of English culture, innovation, and responsibility” which could be used at prestigious diplomatic events, with submissions due in 22 April 2026. HE:
International Levy response (1.) The Russell Group issued its response to the government’s consultation on the International Student Levy, arguing that the definition of international students is ‘overly broad’ and that certain groups, including those who contribute to UK skills and PhD students plus those on scholarships and short-term exchanges, should be exempt.
International Levy response (2.) Universities UK issued its response to the same consultation, equally calling for certain groups of students to be exempt, as well as for an increase in the number of levy-free students allowed, and a delay to the introduction of the levy to allow for an impact assessment.
FT on student loans. Economics correspondent for the FT, Martin Woolf, set out his thoughts on the current student fee loan debate, suggesting that the early model of income-contingent loans was broadly correct but that subsequent tinkering and rising costs have seen it become an issue that’s now insoluble.
Commission on research for better economic growth. Policy Partners in conjunction with UCL called for views on ways in which research and innovation could help drive economic growth, as they set up a new Commission to help push developments in this area forward.
|
|
