Patrick Ainley When Eric Hobsbawm asked in 1978 whether the forward march of labour had halted, he was calling attention to a possible political reversal, not bidding Farewell to the Working Class as Andre Gorz did two years later. More recently, Guy Standing in 2011 proposed the birth of The Precariat, a ‘dangerous new class’ … Continue reading Book Review: The People, The Rise and Fall of the Working Class 1910-2010
The high growth – low wage puzzle.
The fact that the relatively high overall growth of the UK economy has not led to a corresponding increase in wages – the latest ONS figures now showing real wages are falling (http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/lms/labour-market-statistics/august-2014/index.html) – has perplexed policy makers and, for the moment at least, put a brake on an interest rate hike. Wages excluding bonuses … Continue reading The high growth – low wage puzzle.
A-level of uncertainty
Another year of university ‘clearing’ swings into gear; but it now takes a very different form compared to when originally established to help those who had missed out on their grades having a second opportunity to gain a place elsewhere. Despite tuition fee hikes and Coalition members continuing to ‘talk up’ failing apprenticeships as an … Continue reading A-level of uncertainty
David Willetts last desperate proposals
Patrick Ainley David Willetts jumped before he was pushed by resigning from the Cabinet along with Michael Gove who was dismissed in Cameron’s cosmetic reshuffle. They won’t be back – Willetts hopes for a job in Europe while Gove may be editing the Daily Mail after May. Together Willetts and Gove attempted a Great Reversal … Continue reading David Willetts last desperate proposals
The piper(s) may have gone, but the tune remains the same?
As another difficult academic year draws to a close, it goes without saying that Michael Gove’s departure will be greeted euphorically by teachers and campaigners, particularly those who have focussed almost entirely on the ex-Secretary of State’s combative style, abrasive manner and other personal inadequacies. He may continue play a key role ‘at the heart … Continue reading The piper(s) may have gone, but the tune remains the same?
Labour’s new Technical degrees
Many of Labour’s education policy announcements are either clouded by vagueness or appear poorly thought through. No more so than with the recent proposals for Technical Degrees. (http://press.labour.org.uk/post/91140989789/ed-miliband-speech-to-the-sutton-trust) For example, David Miliband is accused by Professor Alison Wolf of both undermining the importance of Higher Level Apprenticeships and creating confusion over the status of the … Continue reading Labour’s new Technical degrees
‘Dead end’ apprenticeships are failing to help young people find lasting work
10/7/14 Apprenticeships are not improving young peoples' skills enough to provide a real alternative to university, according to new research http://www.theguardian.com/education/2014/jul/10/apprenticeships-failing-youth-unemployment-skills#start-of-comments
More Nonsense on Apprenticeships.
Several national newspapers reported Skills Minister Matthew Hancock’s latest attempt to talk up the Coalition’s faltering apprenticeship programme (www.gov.uk/government/speeches/matthew-hancocks-speech-on-a-skills-revolution). Newspapers also carried statistics showing an 18% in the number of 16 and 17 year olds signing up for apprenticeships –with 50 000 youngsters now taking this route, yet these figures take on a rather different … Continue reading More Nonsense on Apprenticeships.
Back to school for some of the NEETS: but for what sort of learning?
New Government figures (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/lowest-rate-of-young-people-neet-for-20-years) show the number of 16-18 year old NEETS at the lowest level for 20 years with a drop of a fifth over the last year. 81% of the age group were in education or work based training at the end of 2013 (70% in full-time school or college). The reduction in … Continue reading Back to school for some of the NEETS: but for what sort of learning?
Labour, Young People and the Job Seekers Allowance.
Labour proposes to make unemployed young people between 18-21, without a level 3 (equivalent to A-level) qualification ineligible for Job Seekers Allowance (70% of current youth claimants are in this category). Identified as a further rolling back of the welfare state by most critics –it’s been unveiled alongside plans to make eligibility for full JSA … Continue reading Labour, Young People and the Job Seekers Allowance.
Education, Economy and Society 