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Policy 1 month ago

Restoring Faith in Degrees: Ministers Must Address Falling Graduate Premiums

New research reveals that one in four UK graduates now face negative financial returns on their degrees, while public confidence in university education has plummeted from 14% to 34% over two decades. The Institute for Fiscal Studies reports that lifetime earnings premiums have shrunk by roughly 30%, exacerbated by recent unfavourable changes to student loan repayment terms.

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'I'm missing out': The hidden cost of university for commuter students
Policy Jun 27, 2026

'I'm missing out': The hidden cost of university for commuter students

Students from disadvantaged backgrounds are increasingly forced to live at home during their degrees due to financial constraints, limiting their ability to participate in campus life and career development opportunities. This growing trend of long-distance commuting leaves many too exhausted to fully engage with the wider university experience.

Author warns AI threatens human creativity and the next generation of writers
Policy Jun 27, 2026

Author warns AI threatens human creativity and the next generation of writers

Acclaimed writer Dave Eggers warns that artificial intelligence poses an existential threat to human creativity, arguing that delegating thought and writing to machines undermines our species. The author discusses nurturing young creatives through life drawing and the importance of maintaining human artistic expression in an age of automation.

Landmark study warns screen time harms development of under-twos
Policy Jun 27, 2026

Landmark study warns screen time harms development of under-twos

New research has linked screen time for babies and toddlers under two with long-term negative effects on health and quality of life. The study warns of wide-ranging developmental concerns and calls for urgent investigation into the risks posed by smartphones, tablets and other digital devices.

Smartphone Ban Takes Effect in English Schools: What Lead Members Need to Know
Schools Jun 27, 2026

Smartphone Ban Takes Effect in English Schools: What Lead Members Need to Know

New government guidance requiring schools to be phone-free for the entire school day has officially come into force across England. The policy applies to all state schools and represents a significant shift in how technology is managed during learning hours, with implications for behaviour management, safeguarding, and SEND provision.

Early years investment must survive cabinet reshuffle, argues charity chief
Policy Jun 26, 2026

Early years investment must survive cabinet reshuffle, argues charity chief

With Downing Street facing potential upheaval, Felicity Gillespie, chief executive of Kindred Squared, insists that whichever ministers take office must maintain the current focus on early years provision and the national school readiness target. The charity leader warns that political instability should not derail commitments to giving every child the best start in life.

Protecting the Rights of Every Child, Regardless of Asylum Status
Safeguarding Jun 26, 2026

Protecting the Rights of Every Child, Regardless of Asylum Status

The Children's Commissioner for England has reaffirmed her statutory duty to protect and promote the rights of all children, regardless of their asylum status. In response to government proposals, she underscores that a child's right to safety and support must not be compromised by immigration policy.

Teaching Regulation Agency to Destroy Records of Baseless Misconduct Probes Earlier
Schools Jun 25, 2026

Teaching Regulation Agency to Destroy Records of Baseless Misconduct Probes Earlier

The Teaching Regulation Agency has announced plans to reduce retention periods for records of teacher misconduct investigations that result in no finding of wrongdoing. The move aims to protect educators' reputations by ensuring details of baseless allegations are destroyed sooner, while maintaining rigorous safeguarding standards for genuine cases.

Barnet Schools Rack Up £5m Bank Bill Amid Financial Crisis
Schools Jun 25, 2026

Barnet Schools Rack Up £5m Bank Bill Amid Financial Crisis

Schools in Barnet have accumulated £5 million in bank charges as struggling institutions face severe financial pressures. The figures highlight the growing crisis in school funding and the desperate measures headteachers are taking to manage cashflow amid tightening budgets.

Key Apprenticeships Tipped for Funding Rate Increases
Policy Jun 25, 2026

Key Apprenticeships Tipped for Funding Rate Increases

Certain apprenticeship standards are expected to see increased funding rates as the government responds to cost pressures in skills delivery. The changes, reported by FE Week, would affect provider income and local authority commissioning of training provision.

DfE issues guidance to help nurseries prepare for SEND reforms
SEND Jun 25, 2026

DfE issues guidance to help nurseries prepare for SEND reforms

The Department for Education has published new guidance for early years providers on adapting their settings to better include children with special educational needs and disabilities. The guidance comes ahead of significant reforms to the SEND system, aiming to ensure nurseries are equipped to support all children effectively.