Category: Press Releases

PRESS RELEASE : Providers committed to making T levels a success, but challenges remain [October 2022]
The press release issued by the Department for Education on 24 October 2022.

Ofsted has today published an interim report evaluating the quality of the new T-level courses. It finds that providers are working hard to ensure that T-level courses equip learners with the knowledge, skills and experiences needed for future study or employment. However, the first providers to offer these new qualifications have faced some challenges.

Read the review of the quality of T-level courses: interim report.

The review also finds that the T Level Transition Programme (TLTP) is not always resulting in learners progressing to a T level as intended.

The interim report was commissioned by the Department for Education and is the first stage in a two-year evaluation of T-level courses. It draws on evidence from visits to 24 providers, 10 of which also offered the transition programme, between December 2021 and April 2022.

Overall, Ofsted found that learners were appreciative of the quality of teaching on their T-level course. However, not all learners felt prepared for how much work they had to do. Effective industry placements gave learners broad, high-quality and appropriate experiences that helped them to make informed decisions about their future career path. However, many learners experienced delays in going on placements.

Work experience is a fundamental component of the transition programme that gives learners the opportunity to gain the skills needed to progress to a T-level course.

In some cases, providers failed to help learners secure meaningful work experience relevant to their course, which resulted in learners sourcing their placements independently.

The review also found that many teachers did not receive comprehensive training and some found teaching the new curriculum challenging. Providers did not always have access to the resources they needed from awarding bodies in good time.

The recruitment and retention of staff with sufficient knowledge and experience were also a challenge, due to sector shortages and the effects of the pandemic. The more effective T-level curriculums involved frequent collaboration between education providers and employers.

Inspectors found that, although teaching on the transition programme was generally of a high standard, most learners appeared unlikely to progress on to a T-level course on completion.

Ofsted’s interim report recommends that all T-level and T Level Transition Programme providers:
- provide initial advice to learners before they start a T-level course to help them decide which pathway to follow
- collaborate with employers to make sure the design and delivery of the curriculum is of a high quality
- make sure that the curriculum sequences the different components of a T level in a coherent way that develops learners’ knowledge and skills
- reduce delays to learners work placements
- ensure that learners in the transition programme get relevant work experience
- monitor learners’ achievements and progress and the impact of work placements on their knowledge and skills
Ofsted also recommends that employers provide placements that give learners experiences relevant to their T level.

The Department for Education should evaluate the effectiveness of the transition programme in helping learners progress to T-level courses, and work with universities to make sure they accept T levels for entry to relevant courses.

In addition to this, awarding bodies should make sure that teachers and learners have the resources they need, in good time.

His Majesty’s Chief Inspector, Amanda Spielman, said:

It’s clear that T-level courses are giving learners career-building pathways. The right balance of theory and practical elements helps learners gain the skills, knowledge and confidence they need to enter the workforce. However, we have also identified a number of concerns that need to be addressed.

I am looking forward to seeing the progress providers have made at our next visits in 2023, and to see the additional courses added into the scheme in the next few years.

A full report will be published in 2023. Providers visited for this interim report will be visited again next year, along with others, to see how T-level courses and the T Level Transition Programme have developed.
October 24, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Russian war in Ukraine – P3 statement [October 2022]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 24 October 2022.

We, the Foreign Ministers of France, the United Kingdom, and the United States, reiterate our steadfast support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity in the face of Russia’s ongoing aggression. We remain committed to continue supporting Ukraine’s efforts to defend its territory for as long as it takes.

Earlier today, the defence ministers of each of our countries spoke to Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu at his request. Our countries made clear that we all reject Russia’s transparently false allegations that Ukraine is preparing to use a dirty bomb on its own territory. The world would see through any attempt to use this allegation as a pretext for escalation. We further reject any pretext for escalation by Russia.

The Foreign Ministers also discussed their shared determination to continue supporting Ukraine and the Ukrainian people with security, economic, and humanitarian assistance in the face of President Putin’s brutal war of aggression.

October 24, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : New report shows scale of UK Government promotion of Scotland abroad [October 2022]

The press release issued by the Scottish Office on 24 October 2022.

The scale of the UK Government’s activity is set out in a submission to the Scottish Affairs Committee from Scottish, Foreign and International Trade ministers.

That support includes one of the world’s largest diplomatic networks, committed to promoting Scottish interests across foreign policy, security, defence, international trade, investment, culture, education, and the arts – as well as vital consular assistance.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said:

Across our entire network of 282 missions in 180 countries and territories, British diplomats represent the interests of the whole United Kingdom, generating trade and investment and proudly promoting Scotland’s rich culture and heritage.

The UK’s permanent membership of the UN Security Council and our leading position in NATO, the G7, the G20 and other global organisations enable us to drive forward the agenda on vital issues that matter to everyone in the UK, including Ukraine, climate change and human rights.

The FCDO’s joint HQ in East Kilbride has almost 1,000 staff who are at the heart of shaping and delivering UK foreign policy as a force for good in the world.

Scottish Secretary Alister Jack said:

The UK Government acts on behalf of the entire country, representing the interests of all parts of the United Kingdom, right around the world. Scotland benefits hugely from the scale of our international engagement.

International relations and development, defence and regulation of international trade, are reserved matters. The UK Government takes seriously its duty and responsibilities in representing Scotland abroad.

The UK Government works around the world to promote and protect the economic interests of Scotland, including securing foreign investment and helping Scottish businesses expand their exports markets.

And of course, people in Scotland benefit from and contribute to the UK’s leading international voice on the world stage – including through membership of international organisations such NATO.

Minister for Trade Policy Greg Hands said:

The Department for International Trade is working tirelessly to boost Scotland’s economic interests. Our worldwide footprint offers Scottish businesses access to support and opportunities across the globe, and allows us to sell Scotland as a destination for foreign investment.

And through free trade agreements we’re opening up international markets to Scottish good and services.

We’ll continue these efforts and work closely with Scottish Development International and the Scottish Government to promote Scottish interests overseas.

The UK Government submission is in response to the Scottish Affairs Committee’s call for evidence for its inquiry into Promoting Scotland Internationally. The UK Government submission is available here:

October 24, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : How the Climate Change Act helped the Friends of the Earth hold the government to account [October 2022]

The press release issued by the Friends of the Earth on 17 October 2022.

What’s the Climate Change Act?

The UK’s Climate Change Act became the world’s first national law to require cuts in greenhouse gas emissions, and hold the government accountable for these cuts. Under the Act, a scientifically informed, long-term, legally binding target was adopted, to achieve an 80% cut in emissions by 2050. In 2019 this long-term target was revised to the still more ambitious Net Zero target.

Since the pioneering UK Act was passed, there’ve been many new climate laws enacted around the world. The UK can’t claim credit for all of these, but it’s been influential: those in Northern Ireland, Sweden, Denmark, Ireland and Finland were all closely modelled on the UK Act.

How does the Climate Change Act help us hold government to account?

The Climate Change Act and its implications have never been more important. Despite the chaos in Westminster, we can still make government accountable for its actions. The Act is powerful as it creates a framework in which action can and must be taken by the government.

Most significantly, the Act can be enforced through our court system if government doesn’t comply with its legal duties. This is something we’ve proved through our pioneering Net Zero Strategy legal case. The Climate Change Act may have been established in 2008, but we’re still seeing its benefits today. It’s enabled us to hold government accountable, years later, and has allowed us to carry out vital and successful legal challenges against government’s inaction.

Net Zero Strategy court case win

Alongside ClientEarth and the Good Law Project, we recently took the government to court and won. In a landmark victory, the High Court ruled in July that the UK government’s Net Zero Strategy is unlawful. This strategy is supposed to explain how emissions targets will be achieved, but we argued successfully that it was legally inadequate and didn’t contain sufficient detail. The government sought an appeal, but we’re delighted to confirm that it recently decided not to pursue this after all. That means our win in the High Court stands. Now the government has to revise its strategy and lay out a credible plan for meeting emissions targets.

The Climate Change Act directly enabled this victory. It was this very Act that allowed us to hold the government to account over its Net Zero Strategy. This is the kind of good news we desperately needed while seeing the impact of the climate crisis, through record-breaking heatwaves and fires sweeping across the country and around the world.

A lasting legacy

The journey for climate action can sometimes feel long, but we need to take a step back and celebrate our victories. The Climate Change Act has enabled us to hold government accountable for its climate inaction and win campaigns that have a lasting legacy. The Act has also enabled policy changes across the board, like the government banning the sale of fossil fuel cars beyond 2030. Thanks to a law we campaigned for and succeeded in establishing back in 2008, we’re winning more battles today.

Change doesn’t happen overnight. It’s the result of collective action over many years of sustained campaigning. Our latest Net Zero Strategy win against the UK government can point the way to a more climate-friendly economy and a greener and healthier world for all. This win is proof that our actions can have a big impact, even if you have to wait a while to see it happen.

October 23, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Statement on Defence Secretary’s call with Russian Defence Minister [October 2022]

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 23 October 2022.

At the request of the Russian Ministry of Defence, the Secretary of State for Defence spoke with his Russian counterpart, Sergei Shoigu, this afternoon. Minister Shoigu alleged that Ukraine was planning actions facilitated by Western countries, including the UK, to escalate the conflict in Ukraine.

The Defence Secretary refuted these claims and cautioned that such allegations should not be used as a pretext for greater escalation.

The Defence Secretary also reiterated UK and wider international support for Ukraine and desire to de-escalate this conflict. It is for Ukraine and Russia to seek resolution to the war and the UK stands ready to assist.

The Secretary of State observed that both Ministers were professional and respectful on the call.

October 23, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Cost-of-living crisis [October 2022]
The press release issued by the National Association of Local Councils on 18 October 2022.

With the highest rates of inflation in decades and a collapse in the pound’s value, the UK is facing a cost-of-living crisis that will affect millions of working people across the UK.

The crisis has a disproportionate impact on low-wage households, who spend a larger proportion of their income on fuel and food. According to the Living Wage Foundation ‘Life on Low Pay’ report, there are currently an estimated 4.8m workers earning a wage below the cost of living. 42% of such workers report missing meals regularly due to financial reasons, and 56% report using food banks regularly. During the winter months, many of these workers are facing bleak choices such as whether to ‘heat or eat’.

Why is it important to address the cost-of-living crisis?

We understand that the cost-of-living crisis is having a huge impact on the mental health of workers, which is already estimated to have cost the UK private sector between £53-56bn in 2020-21. Workers under financial pressure are unlikely to perform at their best, and businesses are likely to face reduced productivity, higher turnover and increased training costs.

The government has a primary role in ensuring that people are protected, and they have introduced measures in response to rising energy costs. While these measures (to cap energy prices to £2,500 for a typical household) will make a difference, it should be noted that this is double what the average household bill was in 2020.

Businesses and specifically the largest publicly listed employers, can play an essential role in shielding their lower-paid workforce from the impacts of the cost-of-living crisis.

What are we doing?

For this reason, CCLA and the Church Investors Group have written to the largest publicly listed employers about their response and specifically asking them:
- Whether they have taken any steps to support their lowest-paid employees through this winter, or if they have any plans to be implemented over the next few weeks?
- What proportion of their workforce will be impacted by these activities, and how were they selected for assistance?
- Whether the third-party contracted staff whose principal place of work is one of your premises (such as cleaners, caterers and security guards) eligible for assistance through any ‘cost-of-living’ programme that they offer?
- If they have no plans, why are they not acting on this issue?
We will be summarising their responses on the website. Our intention for this engagement is to encourage large employers to respond and to showcase how businesses are already addressing the challenges of the cost-of-living crisis.
October 23, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse releases its final report [October 2022]

The press release issued by the NSPCC on 20 October 2022.

94 victims and survivors gave evidence in public hearings. For them, and for all who have experienced sexual abuse, this must be a defining moment for lasting change.

The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) has published its final report and recommendations on how multiple organisations have failed and are continuing to fail to protect children in their care from sexual abuse.

Since 2015, IICSA has held 15 investigations with over 6,000 experiences being shared with the Truth Project and 87 recommendations for change made.

1 in 20 children in the UK has been sexually abused.1 One in three children sexually abused by an adult did not tell anyone at the time.2

IICSA was set up after investigations in 2012 and 2013 into the Jimmy Savile sexual abuse scandal revealed widespread abuse and inadequate safeguarding by institutions and organisations responsible for child welfare.

The role of IICSA was to investigate what went wrong and why, and use its findings to make clear recommendations and prevent failures from happening in future.

In that time information was sought from the NSPCC for nine investigations. These included investigations into residential schools, the internet, religious organisations and child sexual exploitation.

We provided witness statements, helplines data, records searches, briefing papers and results from an FOI request. Our staff gave evidence at public hearings, culminating in Sir Peter Wanless, NSPCC CEO, giving evidence in December 2020.

IICSA’s findings demonstrate that we need to see a wholesale change in how child sexual abuse is tackled. Reporting matters and responding effectively is crucial. We’re calling for changes that would focus on strengthening:

– prevention (through strong safeguarding policies and procedures in all organisations)
– the recognition of the signs of child sexual abuse
– the knowledge of how to report
– the availability of recovery support services
– the response from child protection agencies.

Sir Peter Wanless, NSPCC Chief Executive, said:

“It would be an utter tragedy if events in Westminster completely overshadowed the report and recommendations from IICSA. This was a chance to show the survivors and victims who broke the silence that we have heard them and that their legacy will be a national mission to prevent child sexual abuse. They deserve nothing less.

“We will soon have a new Prime Minister. They must make this report a defining moment by making sure there is political leadership to translate IICSA’s recommendations into a robust system that truly keeps children safe. They must start by appointing a Cabinet Minister for Children.

“NSPCC analysis shows there were more than 85,000 child sexual abuse reports to police last year. The Government must also bring forward a strengthened a Victim’s Bill that ensures specialist support for victims and survivors of child sexual abuse and deliver a robust Online Safety Bill to ensure tech firms design platforms that have child protection designed in as a legal requirement.

“Everyone has a role to play and if you ever have a concern about the wellbeing of a child, please do not hesitate to contact the NSPCC Helpline.”

October 23, 2022
$PRESS RELEASE : Banning fracking means risking freezeouts [October 2022]$

PRESS RELEASE : Banning fracking means risking freezeouts [October 2022]

The press release issued by the IEA on 21 October 2022.

Commenting on the Labour Party’s proposal to ban fracking, Andy Mayer, Energy Analyst at free market think tank the Institute of Economic Affairs, said:

“Banning fracking means risking freezeouts.

“The UK has more than enough gas under our feet to last 50 to 100 years. Gas currently supports 40 per cent of our power system, 85 per cent of domestic heating and most heavy industry. Without affordable alternatives or storage, fracking remains essential for our energy security, and this will remain true for the next 20-30 years.

“The Opposition’s proposal to ban it means substituting expensive, dirtier imports, and losing any tax revenues from development. It increases the risk of the most vulnerable freezing to death next winter. It destroys a potential source of funding for the low carbon transition and increases the national debt and our exposure to volatile international energy prices.

“Advocating this policy during an energy and debt crisis for short-term advantage in marginal seats with a vocal minority opposed to development of any kind, is exactly the kind of politics that have led to the current mess.”

October 23, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : IEA Director General responds to the Prime Minister’s resignation [October 2022]

The press release issued by the IEA on 20 October 2022.

Mark Littlewood, Director General at free market think tank the Institute of Economic Affairs, said:

“I’m very sorry the PM’s efforts to move the U.K. in a pro-growth, low-tax, pro-enterprise direction has failed. She had a difficult hand to play, but she also played the hand badly. However, her successor will face the same problems she did. I hope they share her analysis, but they will also need to display an ability to deliver on serious reform”

October 23, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Government’s strikes bill unlikely to ward off next round of industrial action [October 2022]

The press release issued by the IEA on 20 October 2022.

Commenting on the introduction of the Transport Strikes Bill, Professor Len Shackleton, labour market expert at free market think tank the Institute of Economic Affairs, said:

“This Bill has been promised for three years but despite its general intention, it is still unclear how the obligation to provide a minimum service will be determined, how the conflicting needs of different groups of customers will be reconciled and how the plan will be proof against inevitable legal challenges.

“A further period of consultation will take months, if not years, and is likely to fall foul of a general election. This effort appears to be a box ticking exercise to show that at least one government commitment has been met.

“The Department for Transport has form with putting off decisions: it has still not spelt out what shape Great British Railways will take, again something which should have been decided at least two years ago. The main lines of the Williams-Shapps report had been laid out well before it was published.

“This dilatoriness is also found in the Department’s response to the continuing strikes. Even were this Bill magically to achieve its objective in time for the next round of strikes, the public would not be satisfied with a 20 per cent service, no doubt conducted by an uncooperative staff.

“No real attempt is being made to reach a definitive settlement and the government seems content to let industrial action drag on until Christmas. Meanwhile the prospect of achieving an efficient modern railway system worsens by the week, as revenues fall through the floor and more and more customers decide that they can live without trains.”

October 23, 2022