In the context of this week’s report from the Migration Advisory Committee (set up to advise on immigration policy post-Brexit), it’s worth outlining the nature of European migration to the UK and the implications of the MAC proposals. By the end of 2016 there were 2.2 million working EU migrants -7% of the labour force. … Continue reading Post-Brexit immigration and skills policy
Towards a new Labour State
John McDonnell’s recent address to the TUC demonstrates Labour’s commitment to challenging neo-liberal ideas about the labour market. https://www.tuc.org.uk/speeches/shadow-chancellor-john-mcdonnells-speech-tuc-congress-2018 For the last three decades both conservative and social democratic governments across the globe have deregulated labour markets, arguing that increasing the ‘flexibility’ of workers will make them more productive, increase economic growth and bring greater … Continue reading Towards a new Labour State
Higher Education: a degree of difference
With few alternatives available after A-levels, young people will head off to university in huge numbers this month. From 2015, government lifted the cap on the number of students each institution can admit, with the knock-on effect being that many Russell universities are now accepting students previously aiming for ‘middle’ institutions – if necessary, by … Continue reading Higher Education: a degree of difference
Exam stress – the ‘value’ of GCSE
Another set of public examination results. This time round, after years of bleating about falling standards, media attention has focussed on the stress caused to young people - this year’s cohort being the first to endure the new subject requirements. Many on the Left correctly argue that education has become ‘commodified’. But anyone trying to … Continue reading Exam stress – the ‘value’ of GCSE
How should Labour finance education and public services?
While opposition to Tory cuts continues, Labour has huge support for its commitment to restoring school budgets. At the same time however, the Party leadership also promises to ‘balance the books’ and maintain ‘fiscal credibility’. By this it means that over the course of a five-year Parliament, current (day to day) expenditure will be largely … Continue reading How should Labour finance education and public services?
A new issue of Forum
A new issue of Forum has just been published. It contains a series of articles about Labour’s plans for a National Education Service. It goes without saying that in general Labour’s policy should be welcomed, but some of its post-16 proposals are more problematic. In one of the contributions, Patrick Ainley and myself explain why … Continue reading A new issue of Forum
Cutting, or ending tuition fees?
In the context of a ‘review’ and a pending government announcement on HE funding, City investment broker Hargreaves Lansdown has put its financial and accounting expertise to more benevolent purposes. https://www.hl.co.uk/about-us/press/press-releases/cutting-tuition-fees-and-loan-interest-rates-is-no-help-for-the-average-student Remarkably it finds that neither a reduction of tuition fees to £6000 from the current £9000 plus per annum or a cut in interest … Continue reading Cutting, or ending tuition fees?
