Highlights of the week ending 1 April
As MPs head into the Easter recess, we’ve seen a busy week of announcements and publications, not least the launch of the long-awaited Schools White Paper and SEND Green Paper.
The Schools White Paper sets out bold aims, which have welcomed by some. However, there are those who feel it does not go far enough in setting the conditions to meet those aims, tackling the disadvantage gap, or responding to the impact of the pandemic.
There has been relief at the publication of the SEND Green Paper, and a welcome for the new funding. However, as with the White Paper, many believe it does not offer enough to provide the system of support that is required.
Elsewhere the Education Secretary and Universities Minister issued the Office for Students (OfS) with new guidance on their priorities for the regulator in the year ahead (including involvement in the development of the Lifelong Loan Entitlement), as well as on the HE Strategic Priorities Grant.
Having been amended by the Lords, the Skills Bill returned to the Commons. Although MPs accepted the changes to the provision of careers advice, once again MPs rejected a delay to the defunding of qualifications that overlap T Levels. The Bill returns to the Lords next week.