Schools and skills matter more than ever – The Yorkshire Post says

WHAT a difference a week makes. Seven days ago Anne Longfield, the Children’s Commissioner, wrote a hard-hitting column for The Yorkshire Post pleading for a catch up premium for disadvantaged pupils.
Boris Johnson joins a socially distanced class at Bovingdon near Hemel Hempstead.Boris Johnson joins a socially distanced class at Bovingdon near Hemel Hempstead.
Boris Johnson joins a socially distanced class at Bovingdon near Hemel Hempstead.

Evidence of the ability of newspapers to make a lasting difference, the Government has now pledged £1bn – a welcome announcement and confirmation that the initial response of Ministers was inadequate. It also signals that education and skills policy matters do, in fact, more than ever.

This announcement also follows a remarkable U-turn over free school meals in the wake of an inspired intervention by Manchester United and England striker Marcus Rashford.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

A week ago, 1.4 million children in living poverty faced the prospect of going hungry this summer. That was until Rashford provided every politician, policy-maker and protester with a tactical masterpiece like no other.

Manchester United and England striker Marcus Rashford.Manchester United and England striker Marcus Rashford.
Manchester United and England striker Marcus Rashford.

Drawing inspiration from his own childhood in poverty, he used the gentle power of persuasion and gentle humility to mobilise his social media following to convince the Government to launch a one-off Covid summer school fund.

Now the onus is on Ministers to ensure that the most needy do, in fact, receive the intended help. But there’s much more to do.

As Justine Greening, a former Education Secretary, sets out in The Yorkshire Post this weekend, policy on apprenticeships needs to be tweaked so that there are greater incentives for firms.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

It is another big ask of Rishi Sunak, the Chancellor, but the Government does need to become more proactive and less reactive. After all, the issue at stake is a critical one – the futures of all young people.

Editor’s note: first and foremost - and rarely have I written down these words with more sincerity - I hope this finds you well.

Almost certainly you are here because you value the quality and the integrity of the journalism produced by The Yorkshire Post’s journalists - almost all of which live alongside you in Yorkshire, spending the wages they earn with Yorkshire businesses - who last year took this title to the industry watchdog’s Most Trusted Newspaper in Britain accolade.

And that is why I must make an urgent request of you: as advertising revenue declines, your support becomes evermore crucial to the maintenance of the journalistic standards expected of The Yorkshire Post. If you can, safely, please buy a paper or take up a subscription. We want to continue to make you proud of Yorkshire’s National Newspaper but we are going to need your help.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Postal subscription copies can be ordered by calling 0330 4030066 or by emailing [email protected]. Vouchers, to be exchanged at retail sales outlets - our newsagents need you, too - can be subscribed to by contacting subscriptions on 0330 1235950 or by visiting www.localsubsplus.co.uk where you should select The Yorkshire Post from the list of titles available.

If you want to help right now, download our tablet app from the App / Play Stores. Every contribution you make helps to provide this county with the best regional journalism in the country.

Sincerely. Thank you.

James Mitchinson

Editor

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.