Highlights of week ending 23 July 2021
The pre-recess buzz continued this week, with a variety of announcements and publications. Schools Minister Nick Gibb has been busy, telling MPs about the awarding of qualifications this year, and the plans for next summer. He also gave a speech to the SMF on raising school standards.
The Lords continued to debate the Skills and Post-16 Education Bill, with a perceived lack of government focus on qualifications being called into question by members of all parties.
The OfS put out three significant pieces: confirmed funding for 2021/22; a consultation on new regulation to protect quality and standards in higher education in England; and a competition around short courses in HE, which will support the government’s Lifelong Loan Policy.
There was also the announcement of the freezing of teachers’ pay. Unions warned of the impact on recruitment into the profession. IFS research also published suggests that teacher pay has dropped 8% in real terms since 2007.
Policy Watch is taking a break and will return on 20 August.