Highlights of the week ending 25 March
This week the Skills and Post-16 Education Bill returned to the Lords. When the Commons, the Government were able to overturn amendments made by Peers, namely a four-year funding removal delay to those qualifications deemed to overlap with T Levels. Once again, the Lords defeated the Government, this time voting through an amendment that would see a three-year delay to the removal of funding, with a fourth should there be no employer consultation on the decision). The Bill makes its way back to the Commons on Monday for MPs to consider the change. The Lords accepted a Government proposal to increase the number of careers advice interactions. We await to see the response to the latest Lords’ amendment relating to the defunding of qualifications and whether there is scope for compromise, as there was on careers advice.
Pearson published a significant report into the future of qualifications and assessment. Based on significant public consultation and supported by a panel of experts including former Education Secretary, Lord Blunkett, the report set out is findings and recommendations on how to shape a system that better serves the needs of young people today.
In his Spring Statement, the Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced he was considering whether the current tax system, including the operation of the Apprenticeship Levy, is doing enough to incentivise businesses to invest in right kind of training.
In a speech to the Bett conference, Secretary of State Nadhim Zahawi announced that all schools will have high speed internet access by 2025. He also praised the work of the UK’s Edtech sector.