On Thursday, the Government announced the launch of hundreds of new free qualifications as part of the Lifetime Skills Guarantee. According to the Government press release, an estimated 11 million adults can access around 400 free qualifications “designed to help them to gain in-demand skills and secure great jobs”.

The Social Mobility Commission published new research investigating the drivers of socio-economic difference in post-16 course choices and their likely social mobility consequences. It highlights the value of combining technical and academic qualifications.

Two new reports produced bleak conclusions on the state of education and youth unemployment. A new report by the Education Policy Institute, funded by the Nuffield Foundation has found that poorer students in sixth forms and colleges trail their more affluent peers by as many as three A level grades when taking qualifications.

Meanwhile, a report from The Prince’s Trust and the Learning and Work Institute has found that the prolonged youth jobs crisis is set to cost the UK economy almost £7bn next year.

In our latest policy blog, Mickey Revenaugh discusses what the pandemic has taught us about the essence of school.