conservativehome--2020-06-16--Andy Street: With more shops opening again, here are high street lessons we can learn from the last

Andy Street: With more shops opening again, here are high street lessons we can learn from the last recession

Andy Street is Mayor of the West Midlands , and is a former Managing Director of John Lewis .
On Monday , September 22 , 2008 , I sat in a coffee shop in Victoria , surrounded by the weekend ’ s papers .
Barely a week before , Lehman Brothers had collapsed .
Days later Halifax , the nation ’ s biggest mortgage lender , faced going bust .
As Managing Director of John Lewis , I read the alarming headlines and thought : “ so what are we going to do ?
” John Lewis was one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and I was a relatively-newly installed MD , having taken over in February 2007 , just as the economy started its long slide downwards to recession .
We needed a new plan .
Now , as shops reopen this week , retailers find themselves in a similar position , after the Office for National Statistics revealed that UK GDP had plunged by 20.4 per cent in April .
As Mayor of the West Midlands , I know that our region must plan its way out of an economic downturn that has been far @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , at John Lewis , we chose to not only invest in the values that had always driven us to success , but to seize the opportunity to reshape the business – to choose our own future .
I believe the West Midlands can do the same thing today .
Of course , leading one business , in one sector , through a downturn is vastly simpler than the task facing us now as a nation , but as we reopen our shops there are undoubtedly lessons to be drawn from the last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This week ’ s careful re-opening of more shops is an important step in returning our lives to some form of normality and a vital part in restarting an economy that has been put into hibernation throughout the pandemic .
First and foremost , it is vital that we reopen our high streets safely , to give everyone the confidence to return .
Getting this right is crucial to the nation ’ s recovery post-Covid 19 .
Retail directly employs nearly three million people .
Nearly two thirds of the UK economy is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which retail drives the biggest share .
It also plays an important social role in our communities .
For the British , shopping has always been a social activity , from the village shops that act as local focal points to the high street stores that can seem more like family friends than corporate brands .
Seeing shoppers returning safely to our high streets will provide a tangible step on the road to recovery .
After 30 years on the high street , retailing is certainly in my bloodstream , and when John @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t be able to resist returning , as a shopper , to perhaps pick up a few items from the Solihull branch .
The economic road ahead will be tough .
The recession that will no doubt come as a result of coronavirus is very different to the ‘ credit crunch ’ of 2008 .
Then , we suffered 18 months of economic figures which worsened almost daily , reaching its nadir with TV images of shellshocked Lehman ’ s staff leaving their New York HQ , their belongings clutched in boxes .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ shorter timeframe , brought on by the necessity to protect people from Covid-19 .
However , there are parallels between these two downturns that can help us plot our way back to prosperity .
Looking back to that day in the coffee shop , and the weeks that followed , I understand completely the tough decisions retailers now face .
It was a painful time .
John Lewis ’ s profit was down 40 per cent and people were losing their jobs .
The question was what to do .
Should we hunker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out boldly with a plan to move the business forward and secure jobs into the future ?
I recall that decision came at a meeting at John Lewis in Reading .
We went for the latter .
We would continue to invest in our core business – including opening new shops .
But boldly , we decided to ‘ place our chips on red ’ and put our trust in technology , to build a business model for the future – in our case , online .
Our difference was an online business @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brand values .
As a region , the West Midlands can take the same approach , by investing in the strengths that have always delivered growth here , while seizing new opportunities for the future .
The Government has done a good job so far in protecting the economy – with the short-term furlough scheme , business rates holiday and other interventions .
This gives us a start .
But we must continue to invest in our core business – and that means backing investment in the infrastructure of our country , like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opening new stations and providing new , greener transport options such as cycling infrastructure .
We have to continue to support people ’ s basic need for housing by continuing to reclaim derelict brownfield eyesores for development .
We must continue to invest in digital infrastructure , such as the roll-out of 5G .
But then we must invest in the future of business , as John Lewis embraced online trading .
For the nation this means investing in the jobs and economy of the future .
For the West Midlands , that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ electric vehicles and the battery technology that is so critical to their success .
John Lewis boldly pioneered multichannel retail – a concept which is now commonplace .
The West Midlands can turn to electric Jaguars and a Gigafactory mass-producing the batteries to power the future .
At John Lewis , our plan aimed not just to get us through the recession but to power us into a period of sustained growth .
Crucially , this was embedded into the business by engaging our partners and colleagues in the new concept .
Here @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much grander scale , our seven local authorities , businesses and communities are drawing together in the same way to develop our own Regional Economic Plan .
Unity of purpose is vital .
There is no doubt that our economy is about to change again , and that change will be hard for many people , impacting on jobs and businesses .
We must repeat what I sought to do in John Lewis from 2008 – by investing in the core business and the jobs that depend upon it , while identifying and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ critical to the future .
The reopening of Britain ’ s traders this week is an important step on the road to recovery and we need consumers to responsibly and carefully return to the high street .
Napoleon famously described us as a “ nation of shopkeepers ” .
He was right – retailing is in our DNA .
Now that those shopkeepers are once again putting out the “ open ” sign , let ’ s all play our part and help reawaken our economy .

Andy Street is Mayor of the West Midlands, and is a former Managing Director of John Lewis.
On Monday, September 22, 2008, I sat in a coffee shop in Victoria, surrounded by the weekend’s papers. Barely a week before, Lehman Brothers had collapsed. Days later Halifax, the nation’s biggest mortgage lender, faced going bust. As Managing Director of John Lewis, I read the alarming headlines and thought: “so what are we going to do?”
John Lewis was one of the UK’s best-known retailers, and I was a relatively-newly installed MD, having taken over in February 2007, just as the economy started its long slide downwards to recession. We needed a new plan.
Now, as shops reopen this week, retailers find themselves in a similar position, after the Office for National Statistics revealed that UK GDP had plunged by 20.4 per cent in April.
As Mayor of the West Midlands, I know that our region must plan its way out of an economic downturn that has been far more sudden than 2008. Back then, at John Lewis, we chose to not only invest in the values that had always driven us to success, but to seize the opportunity to reshape the business – to choose our own future. I believe the West Midlands can do the same thing today.
Of course, leading one business, in one sector, through a downturn is vastly simpler than the task facing us now as a nation, but as we reopen our shops there are undoubtedly lessons to be drawn from the last time recession hit the high street.
This week’s careful re-opening of more shops is an important step in returning our lives to some form of normality and a vital part in restarting an economy that has been put into hibernation throughout the pandemic. First and foremost, it is vital that we reopen our high streets safely, to give everyone the confidence to return.
Getting this right is crucial to the nation’s recovery post-Covid 19. Retail directly employs nearly three million people. Nearly two thirds of the UK economy is made up of consumer spending – of which retail drives the biggest share.
It also plays an important social role in our communities. For the British, shopping has always been a social activity, from the village shops that act as local focal points to the high street stores that can seem more like family friends than corporate brands. Seeing shoppers returning safely to our high streets will provide a tangible step on the road to recovery.
After 30 years on the high street, retailing is certainly in my bloodstream, and when John Lewis re-opens on Thursday I won’t be able to resist returning, as a shopper, to perhaps pick up a few items from the Solihull branch.
The economic road ahead will be tough. The recession that will no doubt come as a result of coronavirus is very different to the ‘credit crunch’ of 2008. Then, we suffered 18 months of economic figures which worsened almost daily, reaching its nadir with TV images of shellshocked Lehman’s staff leaving their New York HQ, their belongings clutched in boxes.
This crisis has unfolded in a much shorter timeframe, brought on by the necessity to protect people from Covid-19. However, there are parallels between these two downturns that can help us plot our way back to prosperity.
Looking back to that day in the coffee shop, and the weeks that followed, I understand completely the tough decisions retailers now face. It was a painful time. John Lewis’s profit was down 40 per cent and people were losing their jobs.
The question was what to do. Should we hunker down and manage decline, or come out boldly with a plan to move the business forward and secure jobs into the future? I recall that decision came at a meeting at John Lewis in Reading. We went for the latter.
We would continue to invest in our core business – including opening new shops. But boldly, we decided to ‘place our chips on red’ and put our trust in technology, to build a business model for the future – in our case, online. Our difference was an online business linked to our shops with the same brand values.
As a region, the West Midlands can take the same approach, by investing in the strengths that have always delivered growth here, while seizing new opportunities for the future. The Government has done a good job so far in protecting the economy – with the short-term furlough scheme, business rates holiday and other interventions. This gives us a start.
But we must continue to invest in our core business – and that means backing investment in the infrastructure of our country, like building HS2, expanding metro lines, opening new stations and providing new, greener transport options such as cycling infrastructure. We have to continue to support people’s basic need for housing by continuing to reclaim derelict brownfield eyesores for development. We must continue to invest in digital infrastructure, such as the roll-out of 5G.
But then we must invest in the future of business, as John Lewis embraced online trading. For the nation this means investing in the jobs and economy of the future. For the West Midlands, that means taking the lead in developing new electric vehicles and the battery technology that is so critical to their success. John Lewis boldly pioneered multichannel retail – a concept which is now commonplace. The West Midlands can turn to electric Jaguars and a Gigafactory mass-producing the batteries to power the future.
At John Lewis, our plan aimed not just to get us through the recession but to power us into a period of sustained growth. Crucially, this was embedded into the business by engaging our partners and colleagues in the new concept. Here in the West Midlands, on a much grander scale, our seven local authorities, businesses and communities are drawing together in the same way to develop our own Regional Economic Plan. Unity of purpose is vital.
There is no doubt that our economy is about to change again, and that change will be hard for many people, impacting on jobs and businesses. We must repeat what I sought to do in John Lewis from 2008 – by investing in the core business and the jobs that depend upon it, while identifying and seizing the new opportunities that are so critical to the future.
The reopening of Britain’s traders this week is an important step on the road to recovery and we need consumers to responsibly and carefully return to the high street.
Napoleon famously described us as a “nation of shopkeepers”. He was right – retailing is in our DNA. Now that those shopkeepers are once again putting out the “open” sign, let’s all play our part and help reawaken our economy.


conservativehome--2020-06-16--Calling Conservatives: New public appointments announced. Members of the Migration Advisory Committe

Calling Conservatives: New public appointments announced. Members of the Migration Advisory Committee – and more

Eight years ago , the TaxPayers ’ Alliance reported that “ in the last year , five times more Labour people were appointed to public bodies than Tories ” .
It currently reports that almost half of avowedly political appointees last year owed their allegiance to Labour Party , compared to less than a third for the Conservatives .
Despite the selection of some Party members or supporters to fill important posts , over time , the Conservatives have punched beneath their weight when it comes to public appointments .
One of the reasons seems to be that Tories simply @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number as Labour supporters .
To help remedy this , each week we put up links to some of the main public appointments vacancies , so that qualified Conservatives can be aware of the opportunities presented .
“ The Imperial War Museum ( IWM ) was founded in 1917 to record the story of the Great War .
Its remit was subsequently extended to cover the Second World War and today , IWM is the world ’ s leading authority on conflict and its impact focusing on Britain , its former Empire and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ War to the present .
The IWM is a single institution with a single purpose , fulfilled in different ways at its different branches , both physical and virtual .
In addition to its headquarters building , IWM London , in Southwark , the Museum ’ s branches comprise the Churchill War Rooms and HMS Belfast in London , IWM Duxford in Cambridgeshire , and IWM North in Trafford , Greater Manchester which is housed in a stunning building by Daniel Libeskind .
The IWM has traditionally had a Trustee on its Board @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the armed forces , and is currently recruiting for two Trustees to represent the RAF and Navy branches.
” Time : Up to one day per month .
“ The Pensions Ombudsman ( TPO ) investigates and determines complaints and disputes about the way that occupational and personal pension schemes are run .
The Pension Protection Fund Ombudsman considers decisions made by the Pension Protection Fund ( PPF ) Board under the PPF ’ s internal procedures and decides on appeals against decisions by the Department for Work and Pensions ( DWP ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are provided for separately in legislation , they are held by one post holder .
Throughout this document the term ‘ PO ’ will therefore cover both roles .
TPO provides an accessible service for dealing with pensions complaints .
Determinations are final and binding on all parties , subject only to appeal in the High Court on a point of law .
Services are provided free of charge.
” “ DFID leads the UK ’ s work to end extreme poverty , deliver the Global Goals , and tackle global challenges in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Aid Strategy .
We are delivering against the Government ’ s manifesto to stand up for the right of every girl in the world to have 12 years of quality education , to end the preventable deaths of mothers , new born babies and children by 2030 and to fight climate change , protect the environment and preserve biodiversity .
We are helping to lead the international response to prevent and mitigate the impacts of the Coronavirus and we work to save lives when humanitarian emergencies hit .
We do this whilst also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Global Health Security and improve peoples ’ resilience to shocks and supporting countries receiving aid to become self-sufficient.
” “ The Commission operates as an executive non-departmental public body sponsored by the Northern Ireland Office and is a key part of the architecture of human rights protections in Northern Ireland… Candidates for these roles must be able to make a personal contribution to the work of the Commission and will need to demonstrate : the ability to build productive and respectful relationships with fellow Commissioners , senior stakeholders and diverse communities ; knowledge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the scope and limits of the NIHRCs work in Northern Ireland , and the considerations that influence the environment in which it operates ; the ability to analyse information and exercise judgement across a broad spectrum of policy and high level human rights issues ; and a reputation for personal integrity , professional conduct and credibility , with an exceptional sense of propriety.
” “ Both Non-Executive Board Members roles will exercise their role through influence and advice , supporting as well as challenging the executive , and covering such issues as : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ progress and implementation of the Departments Strategy ( the single departmental plan ) ; performance ( including agreeing key performance indicators ) , operational issues ( including the operational and delivery implications of policy proposals ) , adherence to relevant standards ( e.g .
commercial , digital ) , and on the effective management of the department ; [ and ] the recruitment , appraisal and suitable succession planning of senior executives , as appropriate within the principles set out by the Civil Service Commission.
” “ IE : UK is a joint @ @ @ @ @ @ @ major infrastructure export opportunities around the world .
It is supported by DIT ’ s network of local staff in 116 markets , with the objective of identifying , pursuing , and delivering major strategic infrastructure projects through a consortium-led approach .
The objective of IE : UK is to increase UK infrastructure exports and identify gaps in the UK supply chain for FDI to fill .
The IE : UK Board is co-chaired by DIT ‘ s Minister for Exports and a senior industry leader .
The Industry sector co-Chair will benefit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Exports and leading UK based infrastructure companies to help shape the direction of UK export policy and support within the infrastructure sector.
” “ Do you want to play a key role in helping to shape the future of migration issues and support the interests of UK residents ?
If so , you can do this by becoming a Member of the Migration Advisory Committee ( MAC ) .
The MAC advises the government on a range of migration policy issues , offering independent evidence-based advice , and its core statement of purpose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , economics focused , reports and policy advice in accordance with the work plan set by the Government ; and help ensure that Government policy and strategy in relation to migration and employment is based on the best possible evidence and analysis .
To date the advice of the Committee has included impacts of migration ; annual limits on , and the design of , Tiers 1 and 2 of the Points-Based System ; and transitional labour market access for nationals of new EU member states .
”

Eight years ago, the TaxPayers’ Alliance reported that “in the last year, five times more Labour people were appointed to public bodies than Tories”.
It currently reports that almost half of avowedly political appointees last year owed their allegiance to Labour Party, compared to less than a third for the Conservatives.
Despite the selection of some Party members or supporters to fill important posts, over time, the Conservatives have punched beneath their weight when it comes to public appointments. One of the reasons seems to be that Tories simply don’t apply in the same number as Labour supporters.
To help remedy this, each week we put up links to some of the main public appointments vacancies, so that qualified Conservatives can be aware of the opportunities presented.
– – – – – – – – – –
Imperial War Museum – RAF Trustee and Navy Trustee
“The Imperial War Museum (IWM) was founded in 1917 to record the story of the Great War. Its remit was subsequently extended to cover the Second World War and today, IWM is the world’s leading authority on conflict and its impact focusing on Britain, its former Empire and the Commonwealth, from the First World War to the present. The IWM is a single institution with a single purpose, fulfilled in different ways at its different branches, both physical and virtual. In addition to its headquarters building, IWM London, in Southwark, the Museum’s branches comprise the Churchill War Rooms and HMS Belfast in London, IWM Duxford in Cambridgeshire, and IWM North in Trafford, Greater Manchester which is housed in a stunning building by Daniel Libeskind. The IWM has traditionally had a Trustee on its Board from each of the three branches of the armed forces, and is currently recruiting for two Trustees to represent the RAF and Navy branches.”
Time: Up to one day per month.
Remuneration: Expenses reasonably incurred.
Closes: 19 June
– – – – – – – – – –
The Pensions Ombudsman – Chair
“The Pensions Ombudsman (TPO) investigates and determines complaints and disputes about the way that occupational and personal pension schemes are run. The Pension Protection Fund Ombudsman considers decisions made by the Pension Protection Fund (PPF) Board under the PPF’s internal procedures and decides on appeals against decisions by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Financial Assistance Scheme. Although the roles are provided for separately in legislation, they are held by one post holder. Throughout this document the term ‘PO’ will therefore cover both roles. TPO provides an accessible service for dealing with pensions complaints. Determinations are final and binding on all parties, subject only to appeal in the High Court on a point of law. Services are provided free of charge.”
Time: Min. 30 days per annum.
Remuneration: £20,000 per annum.
Closes: 19 June
– – – – – – – – – –
DFID Board – Non-Executive Director
“DFID leads the UK’s work to end extreme poverty, deliver the Global Goals, and tackle global challenges in line with the government’s UK Aid Strategy. We are delivering against the Government’s manifesto to stand up for the right of every girl in the world to have 12 years of quality education, to end the preventable deaths of mothers, new born babies and children by 2030 and to fight climate change, protect the environment and preserve biodiversity. We are helping to lead the international response to prevent and mitigate the impacts of the Coronavirus and we work to save lives when humanitarian emergencies hit. We do this whilst also investing in the systems that help support Global Health Security and improve peoples’ resilience to shocks and supporting countries receiving aid to become self-sufficient.”
Time: Approx. 20 days per annum.
Remuneration: £15,000 per annum.
Closes: 26 June
– – – – – – – – – –
Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission – Commissioners
“The Commission operates as an executive non-departmental public body sponsored by the Northern Ireland Office and is a key part of the architecture of human rights protections in Northern Ireland… Candidates for these roles must be able to make a personal contribution to the work of the Commission and will need to demonstrate: the ability to build productive and respectful relationships with fellow Commissioners, senior stakeholders and diverse communities; knowledge of human rights law, and of the scope and limits of the NIHRCs work in Northern Ireland, and the considerations that influence the environment in which it operates; the ability to analyse information and exercise judgement across a broad spectrum of policy and high level human rights issues; and a reputation for personal integrity, professional conduct and credibility, with an exceptional sense of propriety.”
Time: Approx. 3 days per month.
Remuneration: £7,500 per annum.
Closes: 26 June
– – – – – – – – – –
Department for International Trade – Lead Non-Executive Board Member/Non-Executive Board Member
“Both Non-Executive Board Members roles will exercise their role through influence and advice, supporting as well as challenging the executive, and covering such issues as: support, guidance and challenge on the progress and implementation of the Departments Strategy (the single departmental plan); performance (including agreeing key performance indicators), operational issues (including the operational and delivery implications of policy proposals), adherence to relevant standards (e.g. commercial, digital), and on the effective management of the department; [and] the recruitment, appraisal and suitable succession planning of senior executives, as appropriate within the principles set out by the Civil Service Commission.”
Time: Approx. 15-20 days per annum.
Remuneration: £20,000/£15,000 per annum.
Closes: 28 June
– – – – – – – – – –
Infrastructure Exports:UK – Board co-Chair
“IE:UK is a joint industry and government partnership, strategically targeting major infrastructure export opportunities around the world. It is supported by DIT’s network of local staff in 116 markets, with the objective of identifying, pursuing, and delivering major strategic infrastructure projects through a consortium-led approach. The objective of IE:UK is to increase UK infrastructure exports and identify gaps in the UK supply chain for FDI to fill. The IE:UK Board is co-chaired by DIT‘s Minister for Exports and a senior industry leader. The Industry sector co-Chair will benefit from working closely with the Minister for Exports and leading UK based infrastructure companies to help shape the direction of UK export policy and support within the infrastructure sector.”
Time: 3-4 meetings a year.
Remuneration: None.
Closes: 29 June
– – – – – – – – – –
Migration Advisory Committee – Members
“Do you want to play a key role in helping to shape the future of migration issues and support the interests of UK residents? If so, you can do this by becoming a Member of the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC). The MAC advises the government on a range of migration policy issues, offering independent evidence-based advice, and its core statement of purpose is to: deliver high quality evidence-based, economics focused, reports and policy advice in accordance with the work plan set by the Government; and help ensure that Government policy and strategy in relation to migration and employment is based on the best possible evidence and analysis. To date the advice of the Committee has included impacts of migration; annual limits on, and the design of, Tiers 1 and 2 of the Points-Based System; and transitional labour market access for nationals of new EU member states.”
Time: “An initial term of three years.”
Remuneration: £275
Closes: 06 July


conservativehome--2020-06-16--June 18. Decision time for undergraduates – and the fate of universities

With the news dominated by statues , Primark ’ s reopening and the introduction of face-mask rules , something rather big has slipped under the radar .
On June 18 – this Thursday – teenagers around the country will have to decide whether they want to accept their university places through the UCAS admissions service .
Most years , this is a fairly straightforward process .
But the Coronavirus crisis has made undergraduate courses much less appealing , as a result of measures designed to slow the virus .
Some of these changes include “ virtual freshers ’ weeks ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will live and study with the people on the same course and online lectures for the 2020-21 .
There are even reports of UK language students preparing for a “ virtual year abroad ” .
At the same time , students aren ’ t entitled to refunds or compensation for their ( typically £9,000 per year ) degrees being severely disrupted .
Foreign students have made no secret of their unhappiness with the new measures .
In a QS report , 53 per cent ( out of 30,000 ) said they would defer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up from 46 per cent in April and 40 per cent said they would not be interested at all if courses move online .
Seventy-seven per cent wanted a discount .
All of this will desperately concern institutions – not least because of the British reliance ( or overreliance ) on foreign students .
Just one third of East Asian students dropping out , for instance , means a loss of approximately £463 million .
Hence why Jo Johnson , the former universities minister , has suggested doubling the post-study work visa from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incentive for coming to the UK .
What ’ s received far less attention is how many British students will accept places on Thursday – and the implications if there are mass deferrals or drop outs .
While no one can know for certain what the final figures will be , the University and College Union , London Economics , has estimated that the pandemic had reduced the likelihood of attendance by approximately 17 per cent .
This would mean a £150 million loss of income for institutions .
ConservativeHome understands that Department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Student Loans Company suggests deferrals will be similar to previous years , so there may be nothing to worry about .
Perhaps young people are hopeful that the measures will only be temporary .
Alternatively , they ’ re stuck for options as to what to do otherwise .
With companies furloughing and letting go of their staff , it ’ s not as if there are jobs aplenty for this generation .
But it is worth mulling over what would happen if we see a big fall in numbers .
On a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tensions we ’ ve seen in recent weeks , particularly when combined with mass unemployment , curbs on socialising and travelling , as well as a housing crisis .
It could further entrench inequalities in the system , with teenagers who have to pay their way through university ( through furloughed jobs , such as bar work ) now unable to go .
Russell Group Universities , which have multiple applicants for one place , will do better than their counterparts .
The financial damage for institutions will be sizeable , with them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Government bailout – which was refused .
Speaking about the decision , Michelle Donelan , the universities minister , said the Government had “ already seen , over the last few months , courses being delivered online and virtually to an amazing degree of quality ” .
These words encapsulate a major problem for universities ; by moving online so readily , they seem to be justifying their own demise .
If it is possible to get First Class Honours over Zoom at one ’ s parents ’ house , after all , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accommodation , and the rest .
It will mostly serve to open the market up to other competitors ; anyone who can digitalise educational content in a compelling way ( and the industry already has some big players ) .
Ultimately , it has been known for years that universities have been churning out huge numbers of “ low-value degrees ” , which do little to promote the life outcomes of young people , or give back to the taxpayer ( who often has to pick up the bill ) .
There has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ problem , and a real neglect of technical education – which one suspects the public has much more interest in paying for , such is the returns it can bring .
This crisis , though we wish it could have been avoided – is a big wake-up call to these institutions that business can not continue as normal .
As Neil O ’ Brien , our columnist put it , “ universities should reform themselves .
Or have reform forced on them.
” If there are big drop outs on Thursday , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incentive they need .

With the news dominated by statues, Primark’s reopening and the introduction of face-mask rules, something rather big has slipped under the radar. On June 18 – this Thursday – teenagers around the country will have to decide whether they want to accept their university places through the UCAS admissions service.
Most years, this is a fairly straightforward process. But the Coronavirus crisis has made undergraduate courses much less appealing, as a result of measures designed to slow the virus.
Some of these changes include “virtual freshers’ weeks”, “bubbles” of students who will live and study with the people on the same course and online lectures for the 2020-21. There are even reports of UK language students preparing for a “virtual year abroad”. At the same time, students aren’t entitled to refunds or compensation for their (typically £9,000 per year) degrees being severely disrupted.
Foreign students have made no secret of their unhappiness with the new measures. In a QS report, 53 per cent (out of 30,000) said they would defer going to university for a year – up from 46 per cent in April and 40 per cent said they would not be interested at all if courses move online. Seventy-seven per cent wanted a discount.
All of this will desperately concern institutions – not least because of the British reliance (or overreliance) on foreign students. Just one third of East Asian students dropping out, for instance, means a loss of approximately £463 million. Hence why Jo Johnson, the former universities minister, has suggested doubling the post-study work visa from two to four years – as an incentive for coming to the UK.
What’s received far less attention is how many British students will accept places on Thursday – and the implications if there are mass deferrals or drop outs. While no one can know for certain what the final figures will be, the University and College Union, London Economics, has estimated that the pandemic had reduced the likelihood of attendance by approximately 17 per cent. This would mean a £150 million loss of income for institutions.
ConservativeHome understands that Department of Education data from UCAS and the Student Loans Company suggests deferrals will be similar to previous years, so there may be nothing to worry about. Perhaps young people are hopeful that the measures will only be temporary. Alternatively, they’re stuck for options as to what to do otherwise. With companies furloughing and letting go of their staff, it’s not as if there are jobs aplenty for this generation.
But it is worth mulling over what would happen if we see a big fall in numbers. On a societal level, it could escalate the tensions we’ve seen in recent weeks, particularly when combined with mass unemployment, curbs on socialising and travelling, as well as a housing crisis.
It could further entrench inequalities in the system, with teenagers who have to pay their way through university (through furloughed jobs, such as bar work) now unable to go. Russell Group Universities, which have multiple applicants for one place, will do better than their counterparts.
The financial damage for institutions will be sizeable, with them having already called for a multi-billion pound Government bailout – which was refused. Speaking about the decision, Michelle Donelan, the universities minister, said the Government had “already seen, over the last few months, courses being delivered online and virtually to an amazing degree of quality”.
These words encapsulate a major problem for universities; by moving online so readily, they seem to be justifying their own demise. If it is possible to get First Class Honours over Zoom at one’s parents’ house, after all, why would students spend thousands on campus accommodation, and the rest. It will mostly serve to open the market up to other competitors; anyone who can digitalise educational content in a compelling way (and the industry already has some big players).
Ultimately, it has been known for years that universities have been churning out huge numbers of “low-value degrees”, which do little to promote the life outcomes of young people, or give back to the taxpayer (who often has to pick up the bill). There has been no serious political engagement with the problem, and a real neglect of technical education – which one suspects the public has much more interest in paying for, such is the returns it can bring.
This crisis, though we wish it could have been avoided – is a big wake-up call to these institutions that business cannot continue as normal. As Neil O’Brien, our columnist put it, “universities should reform themselves. Or have reform forced on them.” If there are big drop outs on Thursday, it will – at least – be the incentive they need.


conservativehome--2020-06-16--The Moggcast: “Clearly one of the things the police are meant to do is to protect property”

The Moggcast : “ Clearly one of the things the police are meant to do is to protect property ”

You can also listen and subscribe to the Moggcast on iTunes , through our YouTube channel , or through the RSS feed here , as well as on Spotify, Alexa and via numerous leading podcast services.


conservativehome--2020-06-16--Gary Powell: Local authorities should stop funding Stonewall

It is Pride month .
Rainbow and trans amulets appear in countless social media profiles to signal ideological compliance .
The medieval odium directed at heretics who question the new LGBT+ fundamentalism usually prevents any whisper of dissent .
Even the Police are warning us to avoid thoughtcrime , with the ominously-named “ LGBT+ Police UK ” tweeting sacred hashtag mantras : “ We stand firm in support of the # trans and # nonbinary community .
We believe that # TransRightsAreHumanRights , # TransWomenAreWomen , # TransMenAreMen and # NonBinaryPeopleAreValid.
” My own enthusiasm for Pride dissolved many years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ real equality as the ability to blend in modestly and inconspicuously with the rest of today ’ s accepting society .
As a gay rights activist over four decades , and as someone who has suffered a great deal as a result of homophobic discrimination , it falls to me to speak out against the screaming LGBT+ chainsaw that has no off-button .
The western gay rights movement , including Stonewall , has morphed into a monster that is now eating its own children .
Stonewall began as a worthy institution , campaigning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 28 ” .
Since then , its cash registers have become frenetic , and Stonewall ’ s turnover for 2018 was £8,697,000 .
Its most senior employee earns a six-figure salary , and in 2018 it received £610,000 in grant income from Government sources , with a fee income of £2,731,000 that included payments from local authorities for its workplace “ Diversity Champions ” and “ Secondary Schools Champions ” programmes .
Britain ’ s post-Covid local and national budgets will surely have far better uses for taxpayers ’ money .
Especially as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ similarly well-heeled USA counterparts , now constitute a very serious threat to the rights of LGB people , to women ’ s sex-based rights and protections , and to the rights of children – including those with high-functioning autism .
The virtue-signalling frenzy that is pumping Stonewall and similar LGBT+ organisations with money and acclaim needs a serious injection of sanity and objective reflection .
Around five years ago , Stonewall and similar western charities bolted trans rights on to their LGB campaigns , even though gender identity has nothing to do with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does not seem to be coincidental .
With legal equality for LGB people successfully achieved in the West , these charities needed new victims and causes to maintain their cashflow .
“ Gender identity ” ideology was ideal .
Between 2014 and 2018 , Stonewall ’ s turnover increased by 61 per cent .
There were casualties , however .
In order to accommodate extreme gender ideology , Stonewall redefined a homosexual or gay person as “ someone who has a romantic and/or sexual orientation towards someone of the same gender.
” Please @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ sex ” .
The modern LGBT+ movement asserts that “ gender ” is a subjective , unverifiable sense of being male or female ( or “ non-binary ” ) .
Which means that lesbians who sexually reject trans women ( of whom around 80 per cent retain their male genitalia ) because they do not have a vagina and are not biologically female , are now in violation of Stonewall ’ s new definition of “ homosexual ” .
They are often told that “ genital preferences are transphobic ” and accused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We LGB people have had our sexual identities erased : the very basis of which is that we are attracted to people of the same biological sex .
Heterosexual readers take note : your own “ genital preferences ” may also one day attract negative attention from gender Torquemadas .
The plight of gay and lesbian children is even worse .
The obsession with extreme gender ideology in British schools , encouraged by Stonewall ’ s “ education ” programmes and by other LGBT+ interventions , is leading to an increasing number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they are heterosexual , but trapped in the wrong body .
Gender-non-conforming heterosexual children are also vulnerable , as are children with high-functioning autism , who are trying to find explanations for why they feel so disjunct from their peer group .
We recognise that children are unable to give informed consent to sexual activity .
So how can they possibly give informed consent to puberty-blocking hormones ?
Or have any idea their psyches have a “ gender ” mismatched to their body , given they can introspectively access no other psyche than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ here how craven ideological capitulation can wreck the moral compass of adults , whose duty it is to protect children from harm .
A number of trans people themselves also campaign courageously against gender extremism , feeling their civil rights movement has been captured and exploited .
The transwoman and trans rights campaigner , Dr Debbie Hayton , asserts categorically that transwomen are men and transmen are women .
She has written extensively in the national media about the harm that the gender extremist movement causes to women , children , and LGB @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reputations of socially responsible transsexual people .
As a heretic , she is subjected to a great deal of hatred from the torch-and-pitchfork mob .
I strongly support the right of the very small number of people with gender dysphoria to live their best lives , free from prejudice , discrimination , and ostracism ; and I back the right of trans adults to access gender reassignment surgery on the NHS .
Nonetheless , I still get called “ transphobic ” , because any doctrinal dissent apparently implies “ hatred ” .
Stonewall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as trans without any gender dysphoria diagnosis .
They also campaign to remove the single-sex exemptions in the Equality Act 2010 , so that any male-bodied man who simply claims to be trans would have a right to access women ’ s protected spaces such as changing rooms , public toilets , hostels , hospital wards and prisons .
This would , of course , be a golden opportunity for any violent , misogynistic man to falsely assert female status in order to access girls ’ and women ’ s spaces with ulterior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Government is to scrap plans to facilitate trans self-identification without a medical diagnosis , and that new safeguards will be introduced to protect women ’ s spaces .
If the Minister for Equalities , Liz Truss , confirms this , then the Conservative Government will be pushing back against ideological policy capture by a pernicious entity that has mutated beyond recognition .
Now , that really would be a cause for pride .

Cllr Gary Powell is a councillor in Buckinghamshire
It is Pride month. Rainbow and trans amulets appear in countless social media profiles to signal ideological compliance. The medieval odium directed at heretics who question the new LGBT+ fundamentalism usually prevents any whisper of dissent. Even the Police are warning us to avoid thoughtcrime, with the ominously-named “LGBT+ Police UK” tweeting sacred hashtag mantras:
“We stand firm in support of the #trans and #nonbinary community. We believe that #TransRightsAreHumanRights, #TransWomenAreWomen, #TransMenAreMen and #NonBinaryPeopleAreValid.”
My own enthusiasm for Pride dissolved many years ago, as I came to regard real equality as the ability to blend in modestly and inconspicuously with the rest of today’s accepting society. As a gay rights activist over four decades, and as someone who has suffered a great deal as a result of homophobic discrimination, it falls to me to speak out against the screaming LGBT+ chainsaw that has no off-button.
The western gay rights movement, including Stonewall, has morphed into a monster that is now eating its own children. Stonewall began as a worthy institution, campaigning against Margaret Thatcher’s “Section 28”. Since then, its cash registers have become frenetic, and Stonewall’s turnover for 2018 was £8,697,000. Its most senior employee earns a six-figure salary, and in 2018 it received £610,000 in grant income from Government sources, with a fee income of £2,731,000 that included payments from local authorities for its workplace “Diversity Champions” and “Secondary Schools Champions” programmes.
Britain’s post-Covid local and national budgets will surely have far better uses for taxpayers’ money. Especially as I believe that Stonewall, and its similarly well-heeled USA counterparts, now constitute a very serious threat to the rights of LGB people, to women’s sex-based rights and protections, and to the rights of children – including those with high-functioning autism. The virtue-signalling frenzy that is pumping Stonewall and similar LGBT+ organisations with money and acclaim needs a serious injection of sanity and objective reflection.
Around five years ago, Stonewall and similar western charities bolted trans rights on to their LGB campaigns, even though gender identity has nothing to do with sexual orientation. The timing of this does not seem to be coincidental. With legal equality for LGB people successfully achieved in the West, these charities needed new victims and causes to maintain their cashflow. “Gender identity” ideology was ideal. Between 2014 and 2018, Stonewall’s turnover increased by 61 per cent.
There were casualties, however. In order to accommodate extreme gender ideology, Stonewall redefined a homosexual or gay person as “someone who has a romantic and/or sexual orientation towards someone of the same gender.” Please note: “Gender”; not “sex”. The modern LGBT+ movement asserts that “gender” is a subjective, unverifiable sense of being male or female (or “non-binary”). Which means that lesbians who sexually reject trans women (of whom around 80 per cent retain their male genitalia) because they do not have a vagina and are not biologically female, are now in violation of Stonewall’s new definition of “homosexual”. They are often told that “genital preferences are transphobic” and accused of “hating trans people”. We LGB people have had our sexual identities erased: the very basis of which is that we are attracted to people of the same biological sex. Heterosexual readers take note: your own “genital preferences” may also one day attract negative attention from gender Torquemadas.
The plight of gay and lesbian children is even worse. The obsession with extreme gender ideology in British schools, encouraged by Stonewall’s “education” programmes and by other LGBT+ interventions, is leading to an increasing number of gay and lesbian children coming to believe they are heterosexual, but trapped in the wrong body. Gender-non-conforming heterosexual children are also vulnerable, as are children with high-functioning autism, who are trying to find explanations for why they feel so disjunct from their peer group. We recognise that children are unable to give informed consent to sexual activity. So how can they possibly give informed consent to puberty-blocking hormones? Or have any idea their psyches have a “gender” mismatched to their body, given they can introspectively access no other psyche than their own for comparison? We see here how craven ideological capitulation can wreck the moral compass of adults, whose duty it is to protect children from harm.
A number of trans people themselves also campaign courageously against gender extremism, feeling their civil rights movement has been captured and exploited. The transwoman and trans rights campaigner, Dr Debbie Hayton, asserts categorically that transwomen are men and transmen are women. She has written extensively in the national media about the harm that the gender extremist movement causes to women, children, and LGB people, as well as to the reputations of socially responsible transsexual people. As a heretic, she is subjected to a great deal of hatred from the torch-and-pitchfork mob. I strongly support the right of the very small number of people with gender dysphoria to live their best lives, free from prejudice, discrimination, and ostracism; and I back the right of trans adults to access gender reassignment surgery on the NHS. Nonetheless, I still get called “transphobic”, because any doctrinal dissent apparently implies “hatred”.
Stonewall campaigns to enable anyone to self-identify legally as trans without any gender dysphoria diagnosis. They also campaign to remove the single-sex exemptions in the Equality Act 2010, so that any male-bodied man who simply claims to be trans would have a right to access women’s protected spaces such as changing rooms, public toilets, hostels, hospital wards and prisons. This would, of course, be a golden opportunity for any violent, misogynistic man to falsely assert female status in order to access girls’ and women’s spaces with ulterior motives.
The Sunday Times has claimed the Government is to scrap plans to facilitate trans self-identification without a medical diagnosis, and that new safeguards will be introduced to protect women’s spaces. If the Minister for Equalities, Liz Truss, confirms this, then the Conservative Government will be pushing back against ideological policy capture by a pernicious entity that has mutated beyond recognition. Now, that really would be a cause for pride.


conservativehome--2020-06-16--With benefit claims reaching 2.8 million in May, the Government needs its next bout of economic inno

With benefit claims reaching 2.8 million in May, the Government needs its next bout of economic innovation

Rishi Sunak was always honest with the public about the “ significant ” economic effects lockdown would have on the British economy – and by all indications the first signs of trouble are here .
Data from the Office for National Statistics shows that the number of people claiming out of work benefits rose to 2.8 million in May .
The year-on-year rise in the claimant count was the largest in almost 100 years .
Furthermore , the number of payroll employees was over 600,000 lower in May than in March , though it is worth noting that the unemployment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to April – a testament to the success of Sunak ’ s Job Retention Scheme .
The Government had , of course , hoped to avoid mass redundancies via furloughing – which has supported 8.9 million employees and cost nearly £20 billion – but confidence and market factors appear to have taken their toll .
To add to the chaos , there has been a record drop in the number of self-employed people and falls in the number of weekly hours worked .
From March to May , the UK had the largest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – when records began .
According to research from ManpowerGroup , hiring intentions for the third quarter of 2020 fell to -12 per cent , the weakest level since records began in 1992 .
By all indications , conditions are being set for a tumultuous period ahead , with the worst economic damage expected to come later in the year when the Government ends its furloughing scheme .
This process will come in stages – with employers expected to partially contribute in the final months , and henceforth experts have predicted that we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The worst stage could potentially come in combination with a second winter bout of Covid-19 , making Christmas one of the most miserable in recent memory .
Clearly the effects of Covid-19 are different for each industry , with practical jobs being the worst impacted .
UK Hospitality , for instance , has said that 30,000 to 40,000 companies could start redundancy processes next week – leading to the loss of millions of jobs – and has urged for more information on re-openings and re-consideration of the controversial two-metre rule .
Retail jobs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and May , when compared with 2019 ’ s figures .
At the same time , jobs in the health sector , as well as social and civil services , accounted for one third of jobs posted on recruitment sites in May .
These disparities will no doubt exacerbate social inequalities that have already been exposed throughout the Coronavirus crisis , as those in office jobs – who can Zoom into meetings – will be more able to survive the Covid-19 conditions than blue-collar workers .
The impact will also be generational ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that more than one in three 18 to 24-year-olds is earning less than they did before the outbreak .
Around a quarter of them has been furloughed , as a result of so many being represented in bar/ leisure centre/ restaurant jobs .
The Government needs to take extremely seriously the problem of mass unemployment among the young , especially given the rise of protests in recent weeks .
Having taken the brunt of 2008 ’ s financial crisis , with little to no prospect of home ownership or having a family , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ serious attention for years – as with even younger groups , more of whom will now not go to university now , as a result of Covid-19 .
Many ideas have been put forward to bolster the economic recovery .
It is ConservativeHome ’ s view that the Government needs more than just tax cuts and less red tape to fix this unprecedented situation .
As Paul Goodman wrote in May ; “ we need a Reaganesque programme of tax cuts , regulatory reform and infrastructure spending to try to grow rather than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are in.
” Though we wish the pandemic could have been avoided , it ultimately presents one of the few opportunities the Government has to radically reset its economic priorities .
As Neil O ’ Brien wrote in his recent column , it could even be time to revisit “ zombie assumptions from the 90s ” , like the idea that industrial policy can ’ t work .
Such investment would further the Government ’ s policy of “ levelling up ” the economy .
It is certainly the moment to think about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ learning – as opposed to pointless sociology degrees in “ discourse analysis ” – as a means to regenerating our economy .
One suspects the taxpayer would not mind paying for coding courses or technical training if it helps build up industries quickly .
Whatever the Government proposes , if these ONS statistics are just the beginning of the economic carnage , it had better act fast .

Rishi Sunak was always honest with the public about the “significant” economic effects lockdown would have on the British economy – and by all indications the first signs of trouble are here. Data from the Office for National Statistics shows that the number of people claiming out of work benefits rose to 2.8 million in May. The year-on-year rise in the claimant count was the largest in almost 100 years.
Furthermore, the number of payroll employees was over 600,000 lower in May than in March, though it is worth noting that the unemployment rate remained unchanged in the three months to April – a testament to the success of Sunak’s Job Retention Scheme. The Government had, of course, hoped to avoid mass redundancies via furloughing – which has supported 8.9 million employees and cost nearly £20 billion – but confidence and market factors appear to have taken their toll.
To add to the chaos, there has been a record drop in the number of self-employed people and falls in the number of weekly hours worked. From March to May, the UK had the largest quarterly decrease in job vacancies since 2001 – when records began. According to research from ManpowerGroup, hiring intentions for the third quarter of 2020 fell to -12 per cent, the weakest level since records began in 1992.
By all indications, conditions are being set for a tumultuous period ahead, with the worst economic damage expected to come later in the year when the Government ends its furloughing scheme. This process will come in stages – with employers expected to partially contribute in the final months, and henceforth experts have predicted that we will see three waves of unemployment. The worst stage could potentially come in combination with a second winter bout of Covid-19, making Christmas one of the most miserable in recent memory.
Clearly the effects of Covid-19 are different for each industry, with practical jobs being the worst impacted. UK Hospitality, for instance, has said that 30,000 to 40,000 companies could start redundancy processes next week – leading to the loss of millions of jobs – and has urged for more information on re-openings and re-consideration of the controversial two-metre rule.
Retail jobs reduced by 53 per cent between January and May, when compared with 2019’s figures. At the same time, jobs in the health sector, as well as social and civil services, accounted for one third of jobs posted on recruitment sites in May.
These disparities will no doubt exacerbate social inequalities that have already been exposed throughout the Coronavirus crisis, as those in office jobs – who can Zoom into meetings – will be more able to survive the Covid-19 conditions than blue-collar workers.
The impact will also be generational; research from the Resolution Foundation has shown that more than one in three 18 to 24-year-olds is earning less than they did before the outbreak. Around a quarter of them has been furloughed, as a result of so many being represented in bar/ leisure centre/ restaurant jobs.
The Government needs to take extremely seriously the problem of mass unemployment among the young, especially given the rise of protests in recent weeks. Having taken the brunt of 2008’s financial crisis, with little to no prospect of home ownership or having a family, millennials particularly have been in need of serious attention for years – as with even younger groups, more of whom will now not go to university now, as a result of Covid-19.
Many ideas have been put forward to bolster the economic recovery. It is ConservativeHome’s view that the Government needs more than just tax cuts and less red tape to fix this unprecedented situation. As Paul Goodman wrote in May; “we need a Reaganesque programme of tax cuts, regulatory reform and infrastructure spending to try to grow rather than cut ourselves out of the hole we are in.”
Though we wish the pandemic could have been avoided, it ultimately presents one of the few opportunities the Government has to radically reset its economic priorities. As Neil O’Brien wrote in his recent column, it could even be time to revisit “zombie assumptions from the 90s”, like the idea that industrial policy can’t work. Such investment would further the Government’s policy of “levelling up” the economy.
It is certainly the moment to think about what skills young people ought to be learning – as opposed to pointless sociology degrees in “discourse analysis” – as a means to regenerating our economy. One suspects the taxpayer would not mind paying for coding courses or technical training if it helps build up industries quickly.
Whatever the Government proposes, if these ONS statistics are just the beginning of the economic carnage, it had better act fast.


conservativehome--2020-06-16--No, Prime Minister. Overseas aid and foreign policy aren’t “one and the same”

Imagine aid spending as an archery target .
At its centre is emergency relief , the core function of aid : relief for people who are victims of flood , famine , earthquake or war .
For example , those rendered homeless by tsunamis in Asia or war in Syria .
The next ring out is basic provision that is not necessarily emergency relief : clean water , say , or sanitation .
Further out still is immunising children against preventable diseases : Rotaviruses or Hepatitis B or polio or – not itself basic provision , but still close to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comes schools and hospitals .
Eventually , one reaches national-building : securing property , and economic help .
And then climate change adaptation and mitigation .
Our members ’ panel survey of five years ago , the last time we looked at the subject in depth , found exactly what one would expect to find .
Being sensible people , the Conservative members we surveyed showed decreasing support for aid as it left the core of emergency relief and travelled to the outer rings of nation-building .
Essentially , they were all for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but were unconvinced that cash for securing property rights , for example , either provided taxpayer value for money or should be an aid objective at all .
The percentages may well have changed in five years .
But it is very unlikely that the basic shape of the panel ’ s view has altered much .
Which suggests that the Government ’ s absorption of the Department of International Development into the Foreign Office is a mistake .
For the essence of Boris Johnson ’ s statement today was not that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is to be taken out of law – a move that we would welcome , because its putting into law was virtue signalling , no more , no less .
Nor was it that the target will be dropped altogether – about which we would be indifferent , if only because there is no magic in yoking one ’ s aid spending to a fraction of one per cent ( or of any per cent ) .
Rather , the Prime Minister ’ s intent was to signal that overseas aid is become @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what our panel , when it mulled taxpayers ’ money for democracy-building or property rights , was sceptical about .
He told the Commons that foreign policy and international development are basically “ one and the same endeavour ” .
But this is the logic that Tory members rejected , and one of his own examples helps to show why .
Johnson referred to assistance given to six Balkan countries to counter “ Russian meddling ” – nations , incidentally , that are waiting to enter the EU ’ s revolving door in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it .
Two years ago , Theresa May joined EU leaders in promising regional security cooperation to help tackle common corruption , organised crime , the trafficking of people , drugs and firearms , and terrorism plus violent extremism .
All well and good – but the move was nothing much to do with aid , if the guiding impulse behind the latter is , as it must necessarily be , humanitarian feeling rather than the national interest .
The Prime Minister complained that too many cooks spoil the aid broth , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spending within a single department .
But he gave no reason why it should be the Foreign Office rather than DfiD .
Admittedly , some former DfiD Ministers complain that the department ’ s ethos is focused excessively on its client base and insufficiently on the taxpayer .
But the more one probes the evidence , the more one comes to see that much of the most egregious mis-spending is associated with other departments : BEIS with India and the Foreign Office with China .
One assessment found that only five per cent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former and 16 per cent of the £1 billion then spent by the Foreign Office went to the countries that needed it most .
Frankly , Johnson ’ s statement was as clear as mud when it came to what the continuing 0.7 per cent of GDP will actually be spent on , and what the costs of shuffling the Whitehall deckchairs will be .
Furthermore , the change creates a brand new cart to put before the horse – that ’ s to say , the awaited defence and security review , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interests squaring off against enthusiasts for cyber .
The wider significance of the proposal is that it appears to reflect the thinking of John Bew , the Prime Minister ’ s foreign affairs adviser , who is contributing to the review .
Bew is the author of a fine biography of Clement Attlee , one of the architects of the UK ’ s post-war policy , and is essentially a pro-intervention “ muscular liberal ” .
Since Britain can ’ t and shouldn ’ t withdraw from such international institutions as the WTO @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Council of Europe , his presence is a plus , in the round : a necessary check on any drift to isolationism .
And although we disagree with this particular merger , it can ’ t be said that it comes as a surprise .
It was clearly presaged by the post-election merger of Foreign Office and DfiD Ministers .
Supporters of the move would point out , not unfairly , that it shows the Government isn ’ t marooned – rendered inert by the pressures of dealing with the Coronavirus .
Johnson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ action .
Tom Tugendhat wrote recently on this site that bringing together aid , foreign policy and trade “ would help to cut the strings that see Beijing ’ s loans deliver UN votes or silence over abuses ” .
The point is worth mulling .
We expect that the proposed change polls well .
It is part of the transition from the age of the Cameroon modernisers to the era of Dominic Cummings , with its hard-nosed sense of what plays in Red Wall Country .
None the less , remember what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the first place .
The Pergau Dam deal during the mid-1990s sought to combine aid , arms sales and building a dam of dubious value in Malaysia .
The consequent court case discredited the then Foreign Office-led model of providing aid .
We are unconvinced that it is necessary to reinvent this particular wheel .

Imagine aid spending as an archery target. At its centre is emergency relief, the core function of aid: relief for people who are victims of flood, famine, earthquake or war. For example, those rendered homeless by tsunamis in Asia or war in Syria.
The next ring out is basic provision that is not necessarily emergency relief: clean water, say, or sanitation.
Further out still is immunising children against preventable diseases: Rotaviruses or Hepatitis B or polio or – not itself basic provision, but still close to the target’s centre.
Then comes schools and hospitals. Eventually, one reaches national-building: securing property, and economic help. And then climate change adaptation and mitigation.
Our members’ panel survey of five years ago, the last time we looked at the subject in depth, found exactly what one would expect to find.
Being sensible people, the Conservative members we surveyed showed decreasing support for aid as it left the core of emergency relief and travelled to the outer rings of nation-building.
Essentially, they were all for aid that clearly makes an immediate difference, but were unconvinced that cash for securing property rights, for example, either provided taxpayer value for money or should be an aid objective at all.
The percentages may well have changed in five years. But it is very unlikely that the basic shape of the panel’s view has altered much.
Which suggests that the Government’s absorption of the Department of International Development into the Foreign Office is a mistake.
For the essence of Boris Johnson’s statement today was not that the 0.7 per cent aid spending target is to be taken out of law – a move that we would welcome, because its putting into law was virtue signalling, no more, no less.
Nor was it that the target will be dropped altogether – about which we would be indifferent, if only because there is no magic in yoking one’s aid spending to a fraction of one per cent (or of any per cent).
Rather, the Prime Minister’s intent was to signal that overseas aid is become an instrument of foreign policy: exactly what our panel, when it mulled taxpayers’ money for democracy-building or property rights, was sceptical about.
He told the Commons that foreign policy and international development are basically “one and the same endeavour”. But this is the logic that Tory members rejected, and one of his own examples helps to show why.
Johnson referred to assistance given to six Balkan countries to counter “Russian meddling” – nations, incidentally, that are waiting to enter the EU’s revolving door in the wake of the UK exiting from it.
Two years ago, Theresa May joined EU leaders in promising regional security cooperation to help tackle common corruption, organised crime, the trafficking of people, drugs and firearms, and terrorism plus violent extremism.
All well and good – but the move was nothing much to do with aid, if the guiding impulse behind the latter is, as it must necessarily be, humanitarian feeling rather than the national interest.
The Prime Minister complained that too many cooks spoil the aid broth, and that it makes sense to bring aid spending within a single department. But he gave no reason why it should be the Foreign Office rather than DfiD.
Admittedly, some former DfiD Ministers complain that the department’s ethos is focused excessively on its client base and insufficiently on the taxpayer.
But the more one probes the evidence, the more one comes to see that much of the most egregious mis-spending is associated with other departments: BEIS with India and the Foreign Office with China.
One assessment found that only five per cent of the £765 million then spent by former and 16 per cent of the £1 billion then spent by the Foreign Office went to the countries that needed it most.
Frankly, Johnson’s statement was as clear as mud when it came to what the continuing 0.7 per cent of GDP will actually be spent on, and what the costs of shuffling the Whitehall deckchairs will be.
Furthermore, the change creates a brand new cart to put before the horse – that’s to say, the awaited defence and security review, which is likely to see traditional defence interests squaring off against enthusiasts for cyber.
The wider significance of the proposal is that it appears to reflect the thinking of John Bew, the Prime Minister’s foreign affairs adviser, who is contributing to the review.
Bew is the author of a fine biography of Clement Attlee, one of the architects of the UK’s post-war policy, and is essentially a pro-intervention “muscular liberal”.
Since Britain can’t and shouldn’t withdraw from such international institutions as the WTO, NATO, the G7 and the Council of Europe, his presence is a plus, in the round: a necessary check on any drift to isolationism.
And although we disagree with this particular merger, it can’t be said that it comes as a surprise. It was clearly presaged by the post-election merger of Foreign Office and DfiD Ministers.
Supporters of the move would point out, not unfairly, that it shows the Government isn’t marooned – rendered inert by the pressures of dealing with the Coronavirus. Johnson has made a decision and is taking action.
Tom Tugendhat wrote recently on this site that bringing together aid, foreign policy and trade “would help to cut the strings that see Beijing’s loans deliver UN votes or silence over abuses”. The point is worth mulling.
We expect that the proposed change polls well. It is part of the transition from the age of the Cameroon modernisers to the era of Dominic Cummings, with its hard-nosed sense of what plays in Red Wall Country.
None the less, remember what caused DfID to be brought into being in the first place.
The Pergau Dam deal during the mid-1990s sought to combine aid, arms sales and building a dam of dubious value in Malaysia. The consequent court case discredited the then Foreign Office-led model of providing aid. We are unconvinced that it is necessary to reinvent this particular wheel.


conservativehome--2020-06-17--Calling Conservatives: New public appointments announced. Members of the Migration Advisory Committe


conservativehome--2020-06-17--Sooner or later, Conservative MPs will have to remaster the vanishing art of Just Saying No

From the moment that the decision was taken to extend school vouchers to cover the Easter break – they were also issued during the May half-term – it was inevitable that pressure would build to stretch them into the summer holidays too .
What Downing Street could not have foreseen was that it would be supercharged by a Premier League footballer with 2.8 million followers on Twitter .
And who has no record of public activism or alignment .
Think the Gurkhas and Joanna Lumley in 2009 ( remember how Gordon Brown was forced to climb down over their rights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the speed and projection that comes with the social media of 2020 .
We are darkly amused to see that Dominic Cummings is being slated by Conservative MPs for failing to spot the zooming problem in advance .
For this confirms that the Prime Minister ’ s special adviser has achieved the status among them of a kind of folk demon – a bit like the child catcher in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang , with Barnard Castle as his very own Schloss Neuschwanstein .
Actually , nipping this kind of political problem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the responsibility of the Ministers involved – plus that of the Political Secretary , Ben Gascoigne .
And in this case , there were rather a lot of Ministers , since Education , Work and Pensions and DEFRA all have schemes to support children in need .
The whips seem to have got on to the issue swiftly enough .
Which takes us to three lessons from the climbdown .
The first was set out by Mark Wallace on Twitter yesterday .
It is that Conservative backbenchers will duck defending the Government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under pressure .
This isn ’ t new in itself .
Remember the Coalition ’ s early U-turn on the privatisation of forests – made after backbenchers had loyally written to constituents with versions of the official Policy Research Unit letter defending the plan .
Why go over the top for Number Ten , to use a figure of speech still deployed by older Tory MPs , if the officer class won ’ t follow ?
The Parliamentary Party will now be more reluctant than ever to support Downing Street when it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chances of further retreats .
The second was floated on this site last week .
It is that the Conservative Parliamentary Party is falling out of the habit of saying No .
In the case of the new intake , it ’ s one that hasn ’ t been acquired .
This is because of the unique circumstances of this Parliament , even before mulling the effects of Covid-19 .
Tory MPs were elected on December 12 to help Boris Johnson deliver Brexit , which they have duly done , and to support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – in other words , spending on 50,000 more nurses ; 50 million more GP appointments ; 20,000 more police , and “ millions more invested every week ” .
In other words , they are not in the psychological space that previous intakes inhabited in 1979 or 2010 over public spending control .
If the likes of Robert Halfon and Tracey Crouch threaten to vote with Labour , as they did over school vouchers yesterday , the Government ’ s majority of 80 suddenly starts to look a lot smaller .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cost “ only ” – the word was in widespread circulation yesterday – £120 million .
Yes , that ’ s relatively small beer in terms of Government spending .
But £120 million here , £120 million there : the sums quickly start to add up , as we ’ re sure Rishi Sunak will tell anyone who ’ s ready to listen .
This site hopes that yesterday ’ s flurry doesn ’ t presage a coming problem .
There is a chance that it won ’ t , at least for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as it should , cuts taxes , reduces regulation , boosts infrastructure , lets borrowing take the strain , and gives Britain the chance to try and grow its way out of the devastating effects of the Coronavirus .
That response might work .
But it might not .
In which case tax rises and spending reductions will kick in sooner rather than later .
At such a point , Tory MPs will have no alternative but to learn again how to Just Say No , as many of them did under David @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thatcher .
And as they will all have to sooner or later anyway .
In the meantime , Downing Street will have to look again at its early warning system – knowing only too well that Cummings isn ’ t really part of it .
In the age of social media , government is always likely to be more ponderous-footed than campaigners who know what they ’ re doing .
( It ’ s worth noting that on school vouchers Rashford was everywhere and Labour nowhere . )
So there will always be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , always will be .
In the last resort , there is no substitute for heavyweight Cabinet Ministers that Number Ten listens to carefully .
That ’ s a matter for the summer reshuffle that the Prime Minister is mulling .

From the moment that the decision was taken to extend school vouchers to cover the Easter break – they were also issued during the May half-term – it was inevitable that pressure would build to stretch them into the summer holidays too.
What Downing Street could not have foreseen was that it would be supercharged by a Premier League footballer with 2.8 million followers on Twitter. And who has no record of public activism or alignment.
Think the Gurkhas and Joanna Lumley in 2009 (remember how Gordon Brown was forced to climb down over their rights of abode in Britain). But with the speed and projection that comes with the social media of 2020.
We are darkly amused to see that Dominic Cummings is being slated by Conservative MPs for failing to spot the zooming problem in advance.
For this confirms that the Prime Minister’s special adviser has achieved the status among them of a kind of folk demon – a bit like the child catcher in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, with Barnard Castle as his very own Schloss Neuschwanstein.
Actually, nipping this kind of political problem in the bud is, strictly speaking, the responsibility of the Ministers involved – plus that of the Political Secretary, Ben Gascoigne. And in this case, there were rather a lot of Ministers, since Education, Work and Pensions and DEFRA all have schemes to support children in need.
The whips seem to have got on to the issue swiftly enough. Which takes us to three lessons from the climbdown. The first was set out by Mark Wallace on Twitter yesterday. It is that Conservative backbenchers will duck defending the Government’s position when it’s under pressure.
This isn’t new in itself. Remember the Coalition’s early U-turn on the privatisation of forests – made after backbenchers had loyally written to constituents with versions of the official Policy Research Unit letter defending the plan.
Why go over the top for Number Ten, to use a figure of speech still deployed by older Tory MPs, if the officer class won’t follow? The Parliamentary Party will now be more reluctant than ever to support Downing Street when it’s under siege – which raises the chances of further retreats.
The second was floated on this site last week. It is that the Conservative Parliamentary Party is falling out of the habit of saying No. In the case of the new intake, it’s one that hasn’t been acquired. This is because of the unique circumstances of this Parliament, even before mulling the effects of Covid-19.
Tory MPs were elected on December 12 to help Boris Johnson deliver Brexit, which they have duly done, and to support what he sometimes calls “boosterism” – in other words, spending on 50,000 more nurses; 50 million more GP appointments; 20,000 more police, and “millions more invested every week”.
In other words, they are not in the psychological space that previous intakes inhabited in 1979 or 2010 over public spending control. If the likes of Robert Halfon and Tracey Crouch threaten to vote with Labour, as they did over school vouchers yesterday, the Government’s majority of 80 suddenly starts to look a lot smaller.
We are told that extending the scheme will cost “only” – the word was in widespread circulation yesterday – £120 million. Yes, that’s relatively small beer in terms of Government spending. But £120 million here, £120 million there: the sums quickly start to add up, as we’re sure Rishi Sunak will tell anyone who’s ready to listen.
This site hopes that yesterday’s flurry doesn’t presage a coming problem. There is a chance that it won’t, at least for a while – if the Government, as it should, cuts taxes, reduces regulation, boosts infrastructure, lets borrowing take the strain, and gives Britain the chance to try and grow its way out of the devastating effects of the Coronavirus.
That response might work. But it might not. In which case tax rises and spending reductions will kick in sooner rather than later.
At such a point, Tory MPs will have no alternative but to learn again how to Just Say No, as many of them did under David Cameron and a few did under Margaret Thatcher. And as they will all have to sooner or later anyway.
In the meantime, Downing Street will have to look again at its early warning system – knowing only too well that Cummings isn’t really part of it.
In the age of social media, government is always likely to be more ponderous-footed than campaigners who know what they’re doing. (It’s worth noting that on school vouchers Rashford was everywhere and Labour nowhere.)
So there will always be crises and ambushes: always have been, always will be. In the last resort, there is no substitute for heavyweight Cabinet Ministers that Number Ten listens to carefully. That’s a matter for the summer reshuffle that the Prime Minister is mulling.


conservativehome--2020-06-17--Robert Halfon: The Government was wise to give way to Rashford. Now let him head up the Social Mobil

Robert Halfon: The Government was wise to give way to Rashford. Now let him head up the Social Mobility Commission.

Robert Halfon is Chair of the Education Select Committee , a former Conservative Party Deputy Chairman , MP for Harlow , and President of Conservative Workers and Trade Unionists .
Free school meals : “ This is not about politics ; this is about humanity ” – Marcus Rashford As a lifelong Chelsea supporter , it ’ s not often that I have such high praise for a Manchester United footballer , but Marcus Rashford ’ s impassioned letter to the Government urging for free school meals over the summer holidays captured the public ’ s imagination .
Rashford ran @ @ @ @ @ @ @ food hunger having lived through it as a child ; he raised millions for food charities , and he didn ’ t attack one political party or another – he just set out his case decently and with finesse .
If I was Boris Johnson , I ’ d put him in charge of the Social Mobility Commission , because he would be a role model for the millions of young people wishing to climb the ladder of opportunity .
The argument for free school meals resonated because it ’ s a totemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to understand , and much less bureaucratic than applying to the Council for hardship payments .
It also comes at a time when the public don ’ t just face health worries , but enormous financial anxiety .
600,000 people are no longer on the payroll in this country and the number of people claiming work-related benefits is up by 126 percent .
Huge credit to Gavin Williamson and Vicky Ford for understanding the public mood and listening .
Only just catching-up : Why we need vision from the top for left-behind pupils @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) ’ s latest statistics , a Department for Education official said recently that the lockdown would almost certainly have “ a very significant impact on the attainment gap… the predictions are stark : up to a 75 per cent widening ” .
We need vision from our Prime Minister to take forward a drastic agenda for education if we are to avoid a wave of education poverty crashing down on the life chances of millions of children .
All the while pupils are not in school , disadvantaged children are falling further @ @ @ @ @ @ @ University College London report shows that 2.3 million children have not been learning in lockdown , and that four million pupils have not had regular contact with their teachers .
That came on top of other surveys that have suggested 55 percent of teachers from the most disadvantaged schools think that the average pupil in their class is learning for less than one hour a day , according to Teacher Tapp ; and a recent survey of headteachers found that 700,000 children are not doing any school work at all .
So , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Johnson himself during the Government ’ s daily briefing on 10 June that it will be coordinating a huge programme of catch-up support for pupils over the summer months .
According to the EEF , with one hour of tutorials every week for 12 weeks , a child can make up five months of learning in a subject .
Together with education and tutoring charities , organisations and passionate individuals , I ’ ve been working for some time now on proposals for catch-up tuition and pastoral care .
With the same impetus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the NHS Responders , we could establish a national education army of volunteers to provide tuition to disadvantaged pupils .
Tutors would include graduates , retired teachers and redeployed Ofsted inspectors , all supported by education , safeguarding and mental health charities .
Of course , extra tuition comes at a price .
Depending on the model of tuition , the cost per-pupil of delivering tuition under current programmes ranges from £100 to £700 .
To take a mid-range proposal of £400 per pupil ( as Action Tutoring currently offers ) in one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million to roll out to every free school meal pupil .
Delivering tuition in English and Maths , for example , to all pupils eligible for free school meals would point to a bill of around £1.12 billion .
The Education and Policy Institute ( EPI ) , run by David Laws , proposes a more expensive model , recommending doubling the pupil premium for one year to cover catch-up tuition .
The “ summer slide ” could account for as much as two thirds of the attainment gap between rich and poorer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the upcoming school holidays present a further challenge to the unfurling education crisis .
This nation saw an incredible response from the Government tackling the health pandemic .
NHS Nightingale Hospitals sprung up across the country , with the first in London ’ s Excel Centre established in less than a fortnight .
Now is the time to take a similar response – with the same sense of urgency – to the education pandemic .
Schools , community and youth centres , businesses and sports halls should be transformed into ‘ Alan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to offer catch-up learning , extra-curricular activities and pastoral care for our children .
The benefits of creating a physical space for children to attend when they are not in school extend beyond academic outcomes .
In Iceland , their rigorous programme of after-school clubs and tuition ( including a £250 Leisure Card for families in Reykjavik to cover recreational activities ) has seen enormous results for young people , their families and society .
Between 1997 and 2012 , children participating in sport at least four times a week increased from 24 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 15- and 16-year-olds who reported “ often or almost always ” spending time with their parents on weekdays also doubled , from 23 percent to 46 percent .
Further , Iceland tops the tables for the cleanest-living teens , with cigarette smoking , drinking and cannabis use plummeting in recent years .
Summer schools in the UK could go some way to reaping some of these same benefits , offering our children and young people engaging activities and having deep social impact .
Of course , since I proposed this idea , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the schools be named after Robert Owen or Friedrich Froebel .
But the crux remains the same : we must ensure that the summer holidays are used for catch-up , not a missed opportunity .
The digital divide in this country means that children ’ s experiences of home learning is varying enormously .
For one , the Children ’ s Commissioner has estimated 700,000 children do not have any laptop , tablet or online connectivity .
Despite the Government ’ s £100 million scheme to offer 230,000 laptops and 4G internet hotspots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a social worker , as well as online initiatives including the Oak Academy , thousands of children are still missing out .
However , 95 percent of households have a television .
So why not build on the BBC Red Button offer to establish a free-to-air National Education Broadcasting Service ?
For a few hours each day , lessons would be shown to children in their own homes .
Given that Channel 4 , as one of main public service broadcasters , has a statutory remit to produce content for older children , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more educational content on its main television channels , in addition to putting out online material .
The Government has done an extraordinary amount of work in terms of the health and economy of the country ; now we must turn our efforts to education .
Our Party must be the champions of the education ladder of opportunity and social justice .
Should the Prime Minister put himself behind a passionate vision for education with some of these ideas above , this could make a huge difference to the lives of children , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the nation .

Robert Halfon is Chair of the Education Select Committee, a former Conservative Party Deputy Chairman, MP for Harlow, and President of Conservative Workers and Trade Unionists.
Free school meals: “This is not about politics; this is about humanity” – Marcus Rashford
As a lifelong Chelsea supporter, it’s not often that I have such high praise for a Manchester United footballer, but Marcus Rashford’s impassioned letter to the Government urging for free school meals over the summer holidays captured the public’s imagination.
Rashford ran a textbook campaign; he knew about food hunger having lived through it as a child; he raised millions for food charities, and he didn’t attack one political party or another – he just set out his case decently and with finesse. If I was Boris Johnson, I’d put him in charge of the Social Mobility Commission, because he would be a role model for the millions of young people wishing to climb the ladder of opportunity.
The argument for free school meals resonated because it’s a totemic scheme that is easy for the public to understand, and much less bureaucratic than applying to the Council for hardship payments. It also comes at a time when the public don’t just face health worries, but enormous financial anxiety. 600,000 people are no longer on the payroll in this country and the number of people claiming work-related benefits is up by 126 percent.
Huge credit to Gavin Williamson and Vicky Ford for understanding the public mood and listening.
Only just catching-up: Why we need vision from the top for left-behind pupils
Quoting the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF)’s latest statistics, a Department for Education official said recently that the lockdown would almost certainly have “a very significant impact on the attainment gap… the predictions are stark: up to a 75 per cent widening”.
We need vision from our Prime Minister to take forward a drastic agenda for education if we are to avoid a wave of education poverty crashing down on the life chances of millions of children. All the while pupils are not in school, disadvantaged children are falling further behind their better-off peers.
A recent University College London report shows that 2.3 million children have not been learning in lockdown, and that four million pupils have not had regular contact with their teachers. That came on top of other surveys that have suggested 55 percent of teachers from the most disadvantaged schools think that the average pupil in their class is learning for less than one hour a day, according to Teacher Tapp; and a recent survey of headteachers found that 700,000 children are not doing any school work at all.
So, it was encouraging to hear from Boris Johnson himself during the Government’s daily briefing on 10 June that it will be coordinating a huge programme of catch-up support for pupils over the summer months.
According to the EEF, with one hour of tutorials every week for 12 weeks, a child can make up five months of learning in a subject. Together with education and tutoring charities, organisations and passionate individuals, I’ve been working for some time now on proposals for catch-up tuition and pastoral care.
With the same impetus we had from the Prime Minister for the NHS Responders, we could establish a national education army of volunteers to provide tuition to disadvantaged pupils. Tutors would include graduates, retired teachers and redeployed Ofsted inspectors, all supported by education, safeguarding and mental health charities.
Of course, extra tuition comes at a price. Depending on the model of tuition, the cost per-pupil of delivering tuition under current programmes ranges from £100 to £700. To take a mid-range proposal of £400 per pupil (as Action Tutoring currently offers) in one subject, this would cost around £560 million to roll out to every free school meal pupil. Delivering tuition in English and Maths, for example, to all pupils eligible for free school meals would point to a bill of around £1.12 billion.
The Education and Policy Institute (EPI), run by David Laws, proposes a more expensive model, recommending doubling the pupil premium for one year to cover catch-up tuition.
Alan Turing Summer Schools
The “summer slide” could account for as much as two thirds of the attainment gap between rich and poorer pupils at age 14. As such, the upcoming school holidays present a further challenge to the unfurling education crisis.
This nation saw an incredible response from the Government tackling the health pandemic. NHS Nightingale Hospitals sprung up across the country, with the first in London’s Excel Centre established in less than a fortnight. Now is the time to take a similar response – with the same sense of urgency – to the education pandemic.
Schools, community and youth centres, businesses and sports halls should be transformed into ‘Alan Turing Summer Schools’ – temporary spaces to offer catch-up learning, extra-curricular activities and pastoral care for our children.
The benefits of creating a physical space for children to attend when they are not in school extend beyond academic outcomes. In Iceland, their rigorous programme of after-school clubs and tuition (including a £250 Leisure Card for families in Reykjavik to cover recreational activities) has seen enormous results for young people, their families and society.
Between 1997 and 2012, children participating in sport at least four times a week increased from 24 percent to 42 percent. The proportion of 15- and 16-year-olds who reported “often or almost always” spending time with their parents on weekdays also doubled, from 23 percent to 46 percent. Further, Iceland tops the tables for the cleanest-living teens, with cigarette smoking, drinking and cannabis use plummeting in recent years.
Summer schools in the UK could go some way to reaping some of these same benefits, offering our children and young people engaging activities and having deep social impact.
Of course, since I proposed this idea, I have received plenty of suggestions that the schools be named after Robert Owen or Friedrich Froebel. But the crux remains the same: we must ensure that the summer holidays are used for catch-up, not a missed opportunity.
A National Education Broadcasting Service
The digital divide in this country means that children’s experiences of home learning is varying enormously. For one, the Children’s Commissioner has estimated 700,000 children do not have any laptop, tablet or online connectivity.
Despite the Government’s £100 million scheme to offer 230,000 laptops and 4G internet hotspots to Year 10 pupils and those with a social worker, as well as online initiatives including the Oak Academy, thousands of children are still missing out.
However, 95 percent of households have a television. So why not build on the BBC Red Button offer to establish a free-to-air National Education Broadcasting Service? For a few hours each day, lessons would be shown to children in their own homes.
Given that Channel 4, as one of main public service broadcasters, has a statutory remit to produce content for older children, it could be encouraged to produce much more educational content on its main television channels, in addition to putting out online material.
The Government has done an extraordinary amount of work in terms of the health and economy of the country; now we must turn our efforts to education. Our Party must be the champions of the education ladder of opportunity and social justice.
Should the Prime Minister put himself behind a passionate vision for education with some of these ideas above, this could make a huge difference to the lives of children, parents, teachers and support staff across the nation.