NCFE spent some time at the Conservative Party Conference this year, seeking insight into the new government’s education and skills reforms. Here’s a round-up of what we found out during the four days of the Conference and what the government will be focusing on.

What is immediately striking is the extent to which the decision to leave the European Union is overshadowing all other government discussions and decision-making for the foreseeable future. Prime Minister Theresa May has clarified that Article 50 will be invoked by spring next year – effectively giving a minimum of 2 years for negotiations to leave the EU. This will involve a significant level of negotiation with existing EU members as well as a substantial amount of work removing EU legislation from UK statute (the ‘Great Repeal Act’).

The other key headline is that the government has abandoned the coalition government’s austerity budget. They’ll no longer aim for a budget surplus (to save more than they spend) in 2020 – this implies significant borrowing for investment moving forward.

Chancellor Hammond has previously set out his ambitions to replace as much funding as possible as we leave the European Union, alongside increased spending for key economic areas. We await further detail of this ‘resetting’ of fiscal policy (and where additional cuts or investment will be directed) in the Autumn Statement on 23 November. We do know, however, that the Northern Powerhouse and Midlands Engine regional growth plans are still on the cards.

Skills

Rob Halfon MP (Minister for Apprenticeships and Skills) appeared at a limited number of fringe events. Along with the rest of the education ministerial team, he didn’t engage in any events on the Tuesday of the Conference, before Education Secretary Justine Greening delivered her keynote speech.

The Minister for Apprenticeship and Skills views the current round of apprenticeship reforms as essential to social justice and social mobility, part of a ‘ladder of opportunity’ to increase opportunities for social justice and skills in the UK economy. He also confirmed that final announcements on the details of the apprenticeship levy and funding model will be made by the end of October.

In the Minister’s view, there’s a rapid need to upskill learners through technical skills, and apprenticeship skills gaps will widen following Brexit – therefore there’s a need to upskill the domestic workforce to plug these gaps.

Education

During her keynote speech, Justine Greening MP outlined that education was a standout area of impact for the Conservative Party, but made it clear that, in her opinion, there’s still an ‘awful lot’ of work to do.

She stated that in the government’s view, selective schools have a proven track record on closing the gap for learners on free school meals, and therefore, local areas who want more selective schools should have them. Although the proposals are currently under consultation, Greening outlined that there would not be a return to the 11 plus – this time there would be a flexible age for entry to selective schools.

Interestingly, in her speech Theresa May stated that the government was going ahead with the plan to relaunch selective schools. It seems that Justine Greening is being steered on this issue from the Prime Minister’s office.

Greening also set out her plan for 6 trial ‘opportunity areas’ to increase opportunities for young people across the UK. Although more detail is still to follow from the Department for Education, opportunity areas will see local partnerships formed with early years providers, schools, colleges, universities, businesses, charities and local authorities to ensure all children have the opportunity to reach their full potential (underpinned with approximately £60m funding). This work will involve businesses being brought in to coach learners in opportunity areas.

The Secretary of State also highlighted her aim to improve technical education, which in her view has not been good enough in the past, and that implementing the Post-16 Skills Plan will be a ‘big focus’ for her department – to ‘put the quality of technical education on a par with the quality of our academic education’, pulling together the work of FE colleges, University Technical Colleges, and employers offering Apprenticeships.

It’s refreshing to hear technical education and apprenticeships being discussed at such senior levels of government, and we’re continuing to engage with the government to ensure the current reforms across these areas are implemented with the best interest of learners and providers represented.

We look forward to the Autumn Statement, and we remind the Treasury that investment in education and skills is vital now more than ever, in ensuring opportunity for all in our post-EU future.