Follow this linkto 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 Future jobs. The Resolution Foundation and LSE published their latest report as part of their major Economy 2030 Inquiry, looking on this occasion at the impact of technology on the labour market arguing that fears that it might wipe out many jobs had not been realised but that on the downside, jobs exposed to automation often faced greater risks and lower pay. COP Statement. The Prime Minister briefly addressed the COP 27 Conference where he committed to the funding and ambition set out at COP 26 and pledged future support for green investment and green skills. Regional gaps. The Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR) highlighted a growing regional economic gap in its latest briefing, suggesting that areas like the N.E., E. Midlands, and Yorks and Humber were all set to perform poorly over the coming 12 months with the economic gap between London and the N.E. set to widen accordingly.
SCHOOLS Funding matters. The National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) published the results from its recent survey of school leaders in England on the funding challenges they face with half looking at reducing the number of teachers or teaching hours and others concerned about cutbacks to levels of pupil support. School Cuts. The website, used to publicise the issue of school funding for the 2017 general election, re-launched this week inviting people to sign up to an open letter to the PM calling for cuts to be reversed, pay awards funded and funding levels restored. Summer 2022 exams. The government published provisional data on this summer’s A level and other 16-18 exams showing the average point score down on the previous year but still higher than pre-pandemic but the disadvantage gap at its widest level so far.
FE/SKILLS Adult participation. The Learning and Work Institute published its latest regular report into adult participation in learning showing on the positive side adult participating in learning at levels (42%) not seen for a couple of decades, with the increase in lockdown learning a likely factor, but on the negative side, regional and class divides persisting. Employment support. The Institute for Employment Studies announced the launch of a new Commission, set up with funding from abrdn and overseen by a group of ten leading commissioners, to help create a better system of employment support and services for those looking to access the labour market. Annual report.The Education Skills and Funding Agency (ESFA) published its annual report and accounts for the 2021/22 year, a year which saw it gain a new chief executive, a new remit and distribute £65bn of funding as it worked to meet its five strategic objectives of funding, regulation, oversight, skills, and customer experience and technology, while remaining 0.6% within budget.
HIGHER EDUCATION Industrial action. The UCU confirmed that industrial action will take place over three days in November (24, 25 and 30,) will cover 150 universities, will be ‘the biggest ever to hit UK universities’ and has the support of the NUS. Student hardship. i news reported that Russell Group universities were pledging to provide ‘tens of millions of pounds’ in financial support, with most committing to double their Student Hardship Funds to help students cope with the cost-of-living crisis. Harassment and sexual misconduct. The Office for Students (OfS) published a commissioned evaluation report into its ‘statement of expectations,’ published last year to help institutions manage issues of harassment and sexual misconduct, with the report concluding that progress in tackling such issues had been mixed, more data and momentum was needed, and a number of recommendations around leadership, training, monitoring and regulation needed considering.
Anti-Bullying Week. (Monday 14 November to Friday 18 November). Education Committee witness session with the Careers and Enterprise Company (Tuesday 15 November). EdTech World Forum. (Tuesday 15-Wed 16 November). Association of Colleges Annual Conference. (Tuesday 15 to Wednesday 16 November). Westminster Hall debate on increasing the number of male teachers in primary schools (Wednesday 16 November). Schools and Academies Show (Thursday/Friday 17/18 November). Autumn Budget Statement (Thursday 17 November).
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MONDAY 14 NOVEMBER On this day in 1715 a Jacobite army surrendered at Preston. On this day in 1896 the speed limit for horseless carriages in Britain was raised to 14 mph. On this day in 1908 Albert Einstein presented his quantum theory of light.
TUESDAY 15 NOVEMBER On this day in 1492 Christopher Columbus noted the first recorded reference to tobacco. On this day in 1899 the US steamship St Paul, en route to England, was the first to receive radio messages, transmitted from the Needles off the Isle of Wight. On this day in 1985 the Anglo-Irish agreement was signed at Hillsborough Castle.
WEDNESDAY 16 NOVEMBER On this day in 1724 the highwayman Jack Sheppard was hanged at Tyburn in London. On this day in 1855 Scottish explorer David Livingstone first saw, and named after his monarch, Victoria Falls, on what is now the Zimbabwe/Zambia border. On this day in 1945 the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) was founded.
THURSDAY 17 NOVEMBER On this day in 1558 Elizabeth I, aged 25, ascended to the English throne upon the death of her half-sister, Queen ‘Bloody’ Mary. On this day in 1800 Congress held its first session in Washington D.C. in an incomplete Capitol Building. On this day in 1869 the Suez Canal opened, linking the Mediterranean and the Red Seas.
FRIDAY 18 NOVEMBER On this day in 1095 the Council of Clermont began, leading to the First Crusade. On this day in 1852 the state funeral of the Duke of Wellington took place. On this day in 1916 British General Douglas Haig called off the first Battle of the Somme in World War I, after more than one million soldiers had been killed or wounded.
SATURDAY 19 NOVEMBER On this day in 1620 The Mayflower reached Cape Cod and explored the coast. On this day in 1850 Alfred, Lord Tennyson, became poet laureate, succeeding Wordsworth. On this day in 1969 Apollo 12’s Charles Conrad and Alan Bean became the 3rd and 4th humans on the Moon as part of the Ocean of Storms mission.
SUNDAY 20 NOVEMBER On this day in 1815 the Second Treaty of Paris was signed, ending the Napoleonic Wars, when France and her allies agreed that France would pay indemnities after the Battle of Waterloo. On this day in 1906 Charles Stewart Rolls and Frederick Henry Royce founded Rolls-Royce. On this day in 1945 the Nuremberg war trials began as 24 Nazi leaders were put on trial before judges representing the victorious Allied powers.
WORLDWIDE: Hunger and Homeless Awareness Week (from Saturday 12 November), Get Outdoors Week (from Saturday 12 November), World Nursery Rhyme Week, World Wellbeing at Work Week, Geography Awareness Week, Global Entrepreneurship Week, World Antibiotic Awareness Week (from Sunday 20 November).
UK: Anti-Bullying Week, Enterprise Week, Road Safety Week, Book Week Scotland (from November 16 to November 22).
US & CANADA American Education Week (from Sunday 13 November), Transgender Awareness Week (from Sunday 13 November), Book Award Week, Young Readers Week, Human-Animal Awareness Week, Farm-City Week. From Sunday 20 November: Better Conversation Week, GERD Awareness Week, Bible Week, Game & Puzzle Week, Restorative Justice Week, Separation of Church & State Week.
OTHER COUNTRIES: Science Week Ireland (from Sunday November 13).
MONDAY 14 NOVEMBER
WORLDWIDE: International Girls Day, World Orphans Day, World Diabetes Day. UK Odd Socks Day. US & CANADA Loosen Up Lighten Up Day, Seat Belt Day, American Teddy Bear Day, National Pickle Day, Spicy Guacamole Day, Operating Room Nurse Day, Family PJ Day, Marie Day. OTHER COUNTRIES: Children’s Day (India).
TUESDAY 15 NOVEMBER
WORLDWIDE: Govardhan Puja (Religious: Hindu – fourth day of Diwali), Steve Irwin Day, Day of the Imprisoned Writer, US & CANADA: Entrepreneurs’ Day, Philanthropy Day, America Recycles Day, Drummer Day, Family Civility Day, I Love to Write Day, Spicy Hermit Cookie Day, Bundt Day, Pack your Mom’s Lunch Day, Raisin Bran Cereal Day, Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day, Ample Time Day, Camp T-Shirt Day, Dylan Day. OTHER COUNTRIES: Republic Proclamation Day (Brazil), Jharkhand Foundation Day (India).
WEDNESDAY 16 NOVEMBER
WORLDWIDE: Bhai Dooj (Religious: Hindu), World COPD Awareness Day, International Day for Tolerance, Geographic Information System (GIS) Day, Pancreatic Cancer Day, International Check Your Wipers Day. UK: Blue Wednesday. US & CANADA: Educational Support Professionals Day, Fast Food Day, Button Day, Clarinet Day, Indiana Day, Have a Party with Your Bear Day, Black Marketers Day, Charles Day, Andy Day. OTHER COUNTRIES: Independence Day (Cambodia), Uttarakhand foundation Day (India).
THURSDAY 17 NOVEMBER
WORLDWIDE: International Students’ Day, Social Enterprise Day, Beaujolais Nouveau Day, World Prematurity Day, World Philosophy Day, International Happy Gose Day, World Pancreatic Cancer Day. US & CANADA: Baklava Day, Unfriend Day, Take a Hike Day, Homemade Bread Day, Butter Day, Use Less Stuff Day, Great American Smokeout, Jaden Day, Reuben Day, Rural Health Day, Testosterone Awareness Day, Zinfandel Day. OTHER COUNTRIES:
FRIDAY 18 NOVEMBER
WORLDWIDE: International Stand Up to Bullying Day, Occult Day, Housing Day, World Vasectomy Day. UK: BBC Children in Need Appeal. US & CANADA: Adoption Day, Mickey Mouse Day, Minnie Mouse Day, Princess Day, Vichyssoise Day, Apple Cider Day, Married to a Scorpio Support Day, OTHER COUNTRIES: Independence Day (Latvia), Battle of Vertieres Day (Haiti).
SATURDAY 19 NOVEMBER
WORLDWIDE: International Men’s Day, Women’s Entrepreneurship Day, World Toilet Day, International Journalists’ Remembrance Day, International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day. US & CANADA: Family Volunteer Day, Camp Day, Have a Bad Day Day, Carbonated Beverage with Caffeine Day, Play Monopoly Day, Alina Day, Adoption Day, Carla Day, Integration Day, Lewis Day, Morgan Day. OTHER COUNTRIES: African Industrialization Day (Africa), Garifuna Settlement Day (Belize), National Day (Monaco), Discovery of Puerto Rico Day (Puerto Rico).
SUNDAY 20 NOVEMBER
WORLDWIDE: Universal Children’s Day, World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, International Hug a Runner Day, Stir-Up Sunday. UK: St Edmund’s Day. US & CANADA: Future Teachers of America Day, Black Consciousness Day, Transgender Day of Remembrance, Peanut Butter Fudge Day, Absurdity Day, Name Your PC Day, Child’s Day, Pay Back Your Parents Day, Gary Day, Lucia Day, Oscar Day, OTHER COUNTRIES: National Sovereignty Day (Argentina), African Industrialization Day (Africa), Revolution Day (Mexico).
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