Our Policy Leader has been getting the news hot off the press at Ed Miliband’s last party conference speech before the General Election, outlining ‘Labour’s plans for Britain’s future’.
Commentators are billing it as a ‘make or break’ situation for the General Election; so what is Labour planning to do if they win the election? How are they winning hearts and minds?
Despite mention of the financial deficit being conspicuous by its absence, there were a number of other areas which were addressed. Employment is an obvious starting point, with their first policy goal to halve the number of people on low pay in Britain by 2025. The current figures stand at 2 million people, and Miliband believes his party has the right plans in place to drastically reduce this. He also revealed plans to increase the minimum wage by £1.50 per hour each year until 2020. Miliband stated that Labour will ensure wages rise in line with the economy, ensuring a living wage for all.
Unemployment has obviously been a huge concern in recent years and as the unstable economy improves, there is the worry that this is not being translated into wage growth. Miliband wisely taps into this concern but how feasible is his plan? Will it be enough? At NCFE, we welcome any measures to increase employment prospects. We support this through our work with REED NCFE; getting young people into a career which will ultimately provide for them and help them to develop and progress.
Another key area was recognising the value of Apprenticeships as a viable alternative to university (a sentiment shared by the current government). By 2025, Labour aims to see as many people completing Apprenticeships as achieving university degrees. The emphasis on employer involvement will be crucial, as Labour will call on businesses to invest in Apprenticeships and allow them financial control over the schemes.
At NCFE, we find these plans encouraging. We continue to highlight the benefits of a vocational education as an alternative to an academic path. This is particularly relevant in the light of recent research carried out by the IPPR this year, which highlighted that many of the jobs expected to drive economic growth and mobility in the future will be accessible with a vocational qualification.
Miliband’s commitment to Britain becoming a world leader in the green economy was another area of interest for NCFE. Not only will the country be leaner and greener, this will create around one million jobs in the renewable energy sector. NCFE has recently launched a number of substantial Renewable Energy Awareness qualifications which equip learners for work in this growing industry.
What do you think about Labour’s plans? How will they impact on the education sector? Are you convinced by the rhetoric? What impressed you? Where were the gaps?
