The top-line national (England only) headlines are: The year to date: Total number of sessions missed from unauthorised term time holiday 2015 – 2022: By Pupil Year Group: Penalty notices Sessions possible per unauthorised holiday absence Unauthorised term time holiday absence- by total figure (top/bottom 20): [1] Pupil absence in schools in England,… [Read More]
The recent Gary Lineker debacle has brought the issue of BBC impartiality back into the spotlight. Impartiality is vital for the BBC in order for it to command confidence as well as justify the licence fee. Allegations of bias against it are widespread and the BBC has tacitly admitted it has a problem. Yet, some… [Read More]
For many British businesses, the past year has spelt the dawn of a new era, whereby energy risks becoming not only too expensive, but dependent upon an infrastructure over which they have little control. It is a significant threat to the UK’s manufacturing sector, much of which relies on large amounts of consistently supplied energy… [Read More]
Summary This briefing note provides a snap-shot of Britain’s independent schools, using data from the Independent Schools Council (ISC) annual census. The latest census (2022) shows that 544,316[1] pupils now attend ISC schools, up more than eight per cent in the last decade and a record high number. This is despite notable fee increases over… [Read More]
Last May the government, with Rishi Sunak as Chancellor, decided the civil service should be cut back to the size it was pre-Brexit.[1] That would be a reduction of about 91,000 or £6.9 billion growing annually with salary increases not to mention (as government rarely does) the whopping unfunded consequential pensions. That remained the policy… [Read More]
During last week’s Autumn Statement, the Chancellor praised the Armed Forces in one breath, whilst also failing to fund the British military to the level which it is required to operate. Announcing that defence spending confirmation would have to wait until the new ‘review of the review’ is conducted, sometime likely next spring, he hinted… [Read More]
‘Sustainable public finances provide the stability and confidence that underpin the economy, supporting businesses and households across the country. By taking the responsible decisions needed to achieve fiscal sustainability, the government is providing the necessary conditions for economic growth.’ If you recognise this, well done for reading last Thursday’s Autumn Statement. This is the first… [Read More]
Compassion is the latest meaningless, feel-good gobbledygook used by campaigners to shut down serious political discussion on welfare reform. Welfare is one of the most expensive things any government does. Payments to the sick, unemployed and low waged will total £142 billion next year. Only pensions and healthcare are more expensive. We’re at risk of… [Read More]
Out of date. Out of time. But not yet out of favour (in Westminster). The Chancellor’s decision to protect the triple lock on pensions last week, in a statement that promised radical spending cuts across the rest of the board, was a blasé wave of the proverbial middle finger in the direction of Britain’s working… [Read More]
Kwasi Kwarteng was lambasted for turning No10 from a ‘nightclub into a casino’ as he banked on a plan for growth via a series of mild tax cuts, leaving borrowing to fill any shortfalls in state spending. Yet, Andrew Marr described the Autumn Statement thus: ‘Sunak and Hunt hope that talking tough will lead the… [Read More]