Most progressives will consider the extension of the franchise to 16- & 17-year-olds a step forward. According to Keir Starmer it’s ‘because they are old enough to go out to work, they are old enough to pay taxes’. It’s considered the most significant change since 18-year-olds were given the vote in 1989. 16-year-olds are already … Continue reading Votes at 16. Extending citizenship or gesture politics?
Who needs college anymore?
Review: Who Needs College Anymore? Imagining a Future Where Degrees Won’t Matter Kathleen Delaski, Harvard Education Press. Post-16 Educator No 120 https://post16educator.org.uk/ Kathleen Delaski’s provocative book has received considerable attention in the US. Her basic argument is that the ‘college for all’ post-high school model of US education doesn’t serve the needs of the majority, … Continue reading Who needs college anymore?
What price a graduate?
It’s a difficult time to be a graduate. Thousands of debt laden young people leave university this summer, aware that it’s increasingly difficult to find employment commensurate with their qualifications - surveys report over a hundred applicants for each vacancy and employers turning to AI bots to sift through candidates. Previous comment on this blog … Continue reading What price a graduate?
The State we’re in
Labour’s planned increases in everyday spending - £190 billion over the remainder of the parliament, announced in last week’s ‘spending review’ - are firefighting measures, being nowhere near enough to rebuild public services after ’14 wasted years’. Labour’s increases are also dependent on the economy continuing to expand and generate additional taxation revenue. With a … Continue reading The State we’re in
To build up the military, there’s always the NEETs!
Under pressure from Trump and NATO, the government has announced plans to increase defence spending to 3.5% of GDP over the next decade. This would mean earmarking more than £10 billion extra every year. While department ministers battle with the Chancellor over their allocation, next week’s Spending Review will see big rises in the budget … Continue reading To build up the military, there’s always the NEETs!
A ‘landmark programme’ for NEETs and apprentices or just smoke and mirrors?
The government has launched what’s described as a ‘landmark programme’ to get young people into the workforce. At the end of last week, it announced its ‘Youth Guarantee’ scheme that will match young people to job or training opportunities and will provide all-important foundations for the national roll-out of the programme, ensuring all 18- to … Continue reading A ‘landmark programme’ for NEETs and apprentices or just smoke and mirrors?
Labour’s new immigration polices
Labour’s new policy stance on immigration has inevitably led to allegations of racism by its critics, but also from many of its own supporters. It’s difficult to refute these claims or deny it's a capitulation to Reform. Though Labour tread carefully on this issue, it’s also the case that post-Brexit, large numbers of the (legal) … Continue reading Labour’s new immigration polices
Reeves ups the ante on the ‘doing nothing’ NEETs
I posted previously about Labour’s plans for young people who were NEET. https://education-economy-society.com/2024/03/08/labour-comes-after-the-neets/ Previously, the push to get ‘economically inactive’ young people into the labour force was inextricably linked to Labour’s ‘dash for growth’ agenda. Now, nine months into a Labour government, there's a different context. International uncertainties are making even Labour’s limited intentions … Continue reading Reeves ups the ante on the ‘doing nothing’ NEETs
Education, the Bank and the bond markets
Labour’s economic problems are compounded by the neo-liberal model it has enslaved itself to. Without the economic growth the government is praying for, there isn’t enough taxation revenue to cover even its limited public spending intentions. 'Unforeseen' events continue to undermine the ‘headroom’ it has to manoeuvre, without resorting to the tax increases or spending … Continue reading Education, the Bank and the bond markets
Making Further Education fit for the Future?
The Parliamentary Education Committee has set up an enquiry - Making Further Education fit for the Future? https://committees.parliament.uk/call-for-evidence/3576/ Any enquiry into this forgotten sector is to be welcome, but its title is rather a misnomer - it isn’t really a enquiry about FE at all. As its subtitle and the initial terms of reference for … Continue reading Making Further Education fit for the Future?
Education, Economy and Society 