Starmer’s departure ‘leaves university challenges unresolved’
Prime minister fell short of pre-election promise to stabilise higher education sector as focus shifted to other priorities, say policy experts.
The Government fails in new polls of teachers and support staff, and Labour’s own members
A survey of over 4,000 members of the National Education Union, conducted by Deltapoll, has found a damning assessment of the performance of Labour after two years in office.
There is now no alternative but for the sector to grasp the scale of the challenge it faces
The higher education sector has seen sustained critique from both ends of the political spectrum.
Weekly Round Up - 19/06/2026
A look back at the last week in education, a peek at what's coming up, plus lots of other bits and...
Education Eye - 19 June 2026
Steve Besley's Education Eye: week ending 19 June 2026
Welcome to Education Eye, a regular update detailing the policies and stories happening in UK education, compiled by Steve Besley.
What's happened this week?
Important stories across the board:
The...
How should universities respond to cuts in teaching, demographic decline and greater competition?
Having finally finished reading it yesterday evening, I have come to the conclusion that the one book every vice-chancellor, aspiring vice-chancellor and chair of council should read on the beach this summer is Capitalizing on College: How higher education went from mission...
Education Committee launches new inquiry on school reforms
Today the Education Committee launches a new inquiry on school reform, after the government announced major proposals for reform in February’s Schools White Paper.
DfE legal costs rise by more than 50% under Labour
Increase in legal costs is likely due to the government introducing contentious policies that have ‘well-funded’ opponents – such as VAT on private school fees, say experts.
Insights from early years settings
This paper offers practical lessons for government on how to better serve boys from low-income families, both in policy making and delivery.
Apprenticeship subcontracting review launched by DWP
A “full review” of apprenticeship subcontracting rules and policy is set to run over the coming months, the government has said.
Weekly Round Up - 12/06/2026
A look back at the last week in education, a peek at what's coming up, plus lots of other bits and...
Education Eye - 12 June 2026
Steve Besley's Education Eye: week ending 12 June 2026
Welcome to Education Eye, a regular update detailing the policies and stories happening in UK education, compiled by Steve Besley.
What's happened this week?
Important stories across the board:
The top...
Wanted: £70k leader for DfE’s new policy testing team
Ministers have begun their search for a “strategic” leader of a new team set up to test key policies from the schools white paper.
From compliance to critical AI literacy: what HEPI Policy Note ‘What UK University AI Policies Actually Do’ points towards
Sam Illingworth’s HEPI Policy Note 71, What UK University AI Policies Actually Do, makes a finding that should unsettle anyone responsible for institutional AI guidance.
Plaid Cymru promise more details on childcare as it survives Senedd vote with Tory help
The Plaid Cymru Welsh government has promised more detail on its flagship childcare policy before the middle of July in a Senedd debate where it survived a vote with Tory help.
Built for stability: quality assurance in an age of uncertainty
There is a particular clarity that comes from distance. After 25 years inside UK higher education’s quality architecture, reviewing institutions for the QAA; serving on the subject benchmark panels; directing undergraduate programmes through to professional doctorate...
Weekly Round Up - 05/06/2026
A look back at the last week in education, a peek at what's coming up, plus lots of other bits and...
Education Eye - 05 June 2026
Steve Besley's Education Eye: week ending 05 June 2026
Welcome to Education Eye, a regular update detailing the policies and stories happening in UK education, compiled by Steve Besley.
What's happened this week?
Important stories across the board:
The top...
The earliest years may be the most important education policy of all
Universities are often seen as institutions that begin their work at 18. But if we are serious about social mobility, opportunity and national productivity, our responsibility begins much earlier – in the first five years of life.
The school-based nurseries programme could be Labour’s early years legacy – but there are real problems with it
Something significant is happening in childcare policy in England.