Data published last week just reaffirms longer term changes in the nature of apprenticeships – particularly who does them and at what level. https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/apprenticeships/2024-25 It’s a mistake to see apprenticeships as an alternative pathway for 16- and 17-year-olds not continuing on the academic track, the original intention for their reintroduction at the start of the … Continue reading Apprenticeships are not helping the young
Tag: politics
Skills White Paper. Good bye to 16-17 year old NEETs ?
Many people, it seems, even some practitioners and activists, don’t seem to be aware that the law requires all young people in England to continue in education or training until their 18th birthday. Enforcing this legislation (part of the 2008 Education Act) has been difficult - the most recent ONS statistics show 75,000 16–17-year-olds categorised as … Continue reading Skills White Paper. Good bye to 16-17 year old NEETs ?
The grads and the NEETs
An article in the FT last week puts recent concerns about increased graduate unemployment in a wider context, https://on.ft.com/3VYJ3sk (though you might find this paywall protected) According to the FT, in the US, unemployment among recent college graduates is up 1.3 percentage points from its mid-2022 low. Concerns about the current economic climate and the … Continue reading The grads and the NEETs
“Nothing less than the abolition of long- term youth unemployment”!
We don’t have much in the way of detail for Rachel Reeves Labour conference commitment of “nothing less than the abolition of long- term youth unemployment”. But based on what was announced it’s going to be nothing like that. According to Reeves, every young person who has been out of work or education for 18 … Continue reading “Nothing less than the abolition of long- term youth unemployment”!
‘Skills’ goes to McFadden
As part of his reshuffle, prime minister Keir Starmer has moved responsibility for ‘skills’ from the Department for Education to the Department for Work and Pensions. Pat McFadden, formerly of the Cabinet Office, has moved jobs, replacing the struggling Liz Kendall at the DWP - although it’s reported a new ‘growth department’ is going to … Continue reading ‘Skills’ goes to McFadden
Labouring under Labour
Well before being elected, Labour set out intentions to increase labour market participation. At the centre of its policies, was achieving an 80% participation rate for 18–66-year-olds over a ten-year period, way above the current 75% - though this includes part-time working. ‘Rebuilding’ Britain’s labour force has been the main brief of the Department for … Continue reading Labouring under Labour
Votes at 16. Extending citizenship or gesture politics?
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?
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
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
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
Education, Economy and Society 