If medical evidence shows young people to be least affected by coronavirus, they are most likely to suffer economically. The Institute of Fiscal Studies reports that employees aged under 25 are about two and a half times as likely to work in a sector that is now closing down. https://www.ifs.org.uk/publications/14791 Some economists are predicting that … Continue reading Lock down will hit young people the hardest.
‘There’s no place like home’? – working practices after the crisis.
Management and personnel journals are well versed in the advantages of working from home. Working from home is supposed to improve employee retention - by eliminating increasingly long commutes, it allows employers to recruit applicants from more geographically remote areas, improves motivation and efficiency and of course, produces financial benefits, savings on office space and … Continue reading ‘There’s no place like home’? – working practices after the crisis.
‘Helicopter drops’ and the magic money tree…
".............. governments need to deploy massive fiscal stimulus, including through “helicopter drops” of direct cash disbursements to households. Given the size of the economic shock, fiscal deficits in advanced economies will need to increase from 2-3% of GDP to about 10% or more. Only central governments have balance sheets large and strong enough to prevent … Continue reading ‘Helicopter drops’ and the magic money tree…
There is a magic money tree (or a forest) after all!
Just think. Barely a month ago government was still sticking to its ‘fiscal rules’ about how much it could borrow and for what. Loosening the ‘austerity’ straitjacket slightly but still reminding us that there was no ‘magic money tree’, everything needed to be costed and paid for. On the eve of Chancellor’s 'coronavirus' budget, announcing … Continue reading There is a magic money tree (or a forest) after all!
Guidelines on A-level assessment announced
We now know the basis on which this year's A-level students will be accredited. According to the in-house journal Schools Week, exam boards will: “Ask teachers to submit their judgement about the grade that they believe the student would have received if exams had gone ahead” Teachers should consider evidence including performance on mock exams … Continue reading Guidelines on A-level assessment announced
Shut schools: cancel the exams
The Socialist Education Association (affiliated to the Labour Party) has issued a statement on the coronavirus crisis. https://socialisteducationalassociation.org/ The statement was issued before the Government’s most recent advice this Monday - so it’s possible the SEA will want to amend it. Halting classes, but also taking additional measures like those outlined in the statement would … Continue reading Shut schools: cancel the exams
What price a graduate?
The Institute of Fiscal Studies has published detailed research on graduate earnings compared with non-graduates. It's based on those attending university in the mid-2000s. According to IFS, earnings of male graduates grow strongly throughout their 30s and far outstrips that of non-graduates. Male graduates enjoy a £15k growth between 30 and 40, compared with just … Continue reading What price a graduate?
