The main party manifestos have been the subject of intense scrutiny by the media this week. Costing of the various plans has been the subject of considerable criticism. It seems that many observers doubt that the increased spending will be possible without greatly increased borrowing. Add to this uncertainty about the economic impact of Brexit and the level of scepticism rises. Yet the UK spends much less on its citizens than many of its EU neighbours and the effects of austerity are now critical as services disintegrate. Amidst this, education should aim to stand on the foundation of equality of opportunity and fairness. This is particularly true of Higher Education if it is to feed improved social mobility. Making university education fair for all students. One of the central assumptions of Higher Education must be that every student is afforded the same opportunity. At the core of this idea is the notion that family will support their children through university. Y...

The number of young people, many of them students, registering to vote has surged as the election approaches. Of 418,000 registering in the last two days, 67% were under 35 years old. Thirty-five per cent were under twenty-five. It is fair to say that this is the most important election for the next generation since 1945. A definitive result will determine the economic fate of UK citizens for generations to come.  However, the divisions within the UK seem to herald another minority government and escalating conflict. The main parties, except for the Conservatives, released their manifestos earlier this week. The Conservatives waited to make an appearance on a Sunday. But now that it is revealed, a comparison of what to expect for student equality, finance and equality of prospects is possible. However, all of this is overshadowed by the uncertain economy. Brexit and tackling the climate emergency will be the main influences shaping the economy to come and young people will h...

As many students grapple with how they should vote in an election that will define their futures, the latest survey data shows Brexit is the key issue for them. The major parties are now making wild promises of astounding investment to attract voters. But Brexit is going to overshadow everything. That is because it has profound long term economic consequences that will affect students in their future careers. Their current financial problems are important but are no longer an issue as any proposed changes in grants and fees are unlikely to benefit them before they graduate. Overcoming climate change will also have massive infrastructure and economic consequences that students will be considering. We can expect other voters to face similar dilemmas and the old order will be overturned in a very volatile election that will define the 21st century. Update Note added on 9th November 2019: The latest YouGov poll of voting intentions ( Regional voting intentions show both main parties ...

The electorate is polarised on either side of a Brexit chasm that is unlikely to see compromise. Many may vote strategically for any party likely to counter what they do not trust and what they fear the most. Students may set aside their concerns about fairness, fees, and maintenance grants and vote on Brexit as the defining issue. The fallout of Brexit will affect their working conditions as their careers develop. Seeing their lecturers plan for industrial action on some of these concerns this week will profoundly affect their thinking. The hope is that mobilising their strategic votes will restore some balance and faith in our democracy as students lead the way. With the date of the next election, set for Thursday 12th December this week, there comes the realisation that time is running out. Parliament and the ‘executive’ government have failed to make key decisions about our future. The Brexit crisis has consumed most of their time as other pressing needs are side-lined. Low and...

A 'State of the State' survey for Deloitte by Ipsos Mori, carried out in July and August, was released this week. It shows that there has been a rapid and worrying decline in confidence in the notion of equality and prospects of greater social mobility. The pessimism in the report is palpable and should warn us that our society is degrading at an alarming rate. Education is held up as the best way forward. Meanwhile more data from 'Save the Student' reveals that many students, that have tried to do better through higher education, find themselves falling short in their studies and finances. The debt burden they then face is a metaphorical ticking social ‘time bomb’ right at the centre of our unbalanced society. The Social Mobility Commission is there to try to  defuse things. Yet their most recent reports indicate a lack of communication with, and a detachment from, a government who seem indifferent. Education may be the answer but only if it ensures everyone has ...

This is written just as the UK government has reached a ‘deal’ with the European Union to leave at the end of this month. The government has achieved this ‘feat’ by crossing a red line that was steadfastly avoided by the May administration. Those in Great Britain are about to abandon Northern Ireland and separate it from GB with a customs border. This will be viewed as a  betrayal after longstanding support for the union in terrible times. The alienation of many in Northern Ireland is tangible compared to the abstract and detached indifference of most people in GB to their plight. But worse to come will be the alienation and betrayal of all young people across the UK. Looking back to just before the UK joined the EU in 1973, the idea of alienation was just as important to young people then as it is now. In an electrifying speech to students in 1972 entitled ‘Alienation’ Jimmy Reid saw it as “The feeling of despair and hopelessness that pervades people who feel with justificat...