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Theresa May to set out tuition fee proposals - politics live Theresa May suggests university shouldn't be only way to success - politics live
(35 minutes later)
A little more detail on May’s comments on “old fashioned” attitudes about technical education. She told This Morning:
For a long time, I’ve worried about the fact that in this country we’re very good at saying academic education is good and for everybody, but we’ve never put sufficient emphasis on technical and vocational education.
The prime minister added:
We’ve got to break this old fashioned attitude that there’s only one way through in education, and we’ve got to say, I’ve always believed that what we should say is ‘what’s right for every young person? What’s right for every child?’ Because education can unlock the door of your future.
May was asked about the government’s plan to spend £5m – or £300 per primary school, as This Morning put it – on training teachers to spot mental health problems in children.
I have actually seen some of these teachers being trained in the mental health toolkit and what I found from them was that, actually, they welcomed the fact that they were being given this support because, often, it’s the teacher that the individual goes to.
Asked how the average of £300 per school is going to cover that, May said the teachers need training so they can help young people who do come forward to them. But she offered no specifics in response to the question.
And that’s that. In all, there wasn’t much more detail on May’s priority for the day: the education review. But she did cover mental health care and bullying; more of which we’ll bring you soon.
Asked if she’s enjoying her job, the prime minister says yes. “There’s huge issues to be dealing with but it’s worthwhile,” she adds.
Schofield asks May if she doesn’t spend a lot of her time looking behind her to “make sure someone isn’t about to stab you in the back”. No, May insists, she is getting on with the job.
Asked if she can “hang on”, if she “feels secure”, she says: “Yes, I’m doing the job.”
The prime minister is discussing keeping young people safe online. Schofield asks her whether a single national government can do that. “We have to start here and we have to then work with the companies themselves,” she says.
May is being asked about mental health care and dealing with bullying. She says some schools do not want to admit the latter is happening in their institutions because of concerns about what it will say about the school.
May says a lot of people have been encouraged to go to university, even if it’s not the right path for them.
Asked if it would be possible to become prime minister without a university education, Theresa May says yes and cites one of her predecessors, John Major. But she agrees with Philip Schofield that Major is in a class of one in that respect in recent British history.
May says “some issues have arise” with the fees regime the government of which she was a senior member introduced.May says “some issues have arise” with the fees regime the government of which she was a senior member introduced.
Asked about reintroducing maintenance grants, which Labour have promised to do, May says it is one of the issues the review will consider.Asked about reintroducing maintenance grants, which Labour have promised to do, May says it is one of the issues the review will consider.
Theresa May is now on the sofa. She’s discussing the review of post-18 education. May says she understands the concerns around the debts people build up but also wants to look at routes into technical education, rather than university.Theresa May is now on the sofa. She’s discussing the review of post-18 education. May says she understands the concerns around the debts people build up but also wants to look at routes into technical education, rather than university.
Asked if she thinks there’s an element of snobbery, she says some people think technical education is for “other people’s children” and we need to remove the stigma.Asked if she thinks there’s an element of snobbery, she says some people think technical education is for “other people’s children” and we need to remove the stigma.
Elections watchdogs have launched an investigation into the Scottish Liberal Democrats’ spending in the 2016 Holyrood campaign. The Electoral Commission confirmed it received a complaint and is looking at whether or not the party’s return was “true and accurate”.Elections watchdogs have launched an investigation into the Scottish Liberal Democrats’ spending in the 2016 Holyrood campaign. The Electoral Commission confirmed it received a complaint and is looking at whether or not the party’s return was “true and accurate”.
It is understood the investigation will consider if spending was correctly attributed between the party and the candidates.It is understood the investigation will consider if spending was correctly attributed between the party and the candidates.
The Liberal Democrats insisted all spending was “apportioned correctly” and said it has “full confidence that there is no substance to this complaint”.The Liberal Democrats insisted all spending was “apportioned correctly” and said it has “full confidence that there is no substance to this complaint”.
It comes four months after Scottish prosecutors announced no action was being taken against a Liberal Democrat MSP after Police Scotland conducted an investigation into his campaign spending. Alex Cole-Hamilton won the Edinburgh West seat from the SNP by 2,960 votes in May 2016.It comes four months after Scottish prosecutors announced no action was being taken against a Liberal Democrat MSP after Police Scotland conducted an investigation into his campaign spending. Alex Cole-Hamilton won the Edinburgh West seat from the SNP by 2,960 votes in May 2016.
A spokesman for the Scottish Liberal Democrats said:A spokesman for the Scottish Liberal Democrats said:
This is a classic SNP tactic when they have lost an election. Last year, they wasted 13 months of police time with their complaint about the election in Edinburgh Western, and the police found there was no case to answer.This is a classic SNP tactic when they have lost an election. Last year, they wasted 13 months of police time with their complaint about the election in Edinburgh Western, and the police found there was no case to answer.
All expenditure in this election was apportioned correctly and clearly identified in our election return which is a matter of public record. We have full confidence that there is no substance to this complaint.All expenditure in this election was apportioned correctly and clearly identified in our election return which is a matter of public record. We have full confidence that there is no substance to this complaint.
Perhaps the SNP should spend less time whinging when they lose an election and more time addressing the problems they have created for themselves in education, health and the police service. It’s no wonder that their government are on the slide.Perhaps the SNP should spend less time whinging when they lose an election and more time addressing the problems they have created for themselves in education, health and the police service. It’s no wonder that their government are on the slide.
The This Morning sofa remains a May-free zone for the moment. So, in the meantime, here’s some more quotes from her school visit. Asked about whether she would reinstate maintenance grants if the review recommends that, May told reporters:The This Morning sofa remains a May-free zone for the moment. So, in the meantime, here’s some more quotes from her school visit. Asked about whether she would reinstate maintenance grants if the review recommends that, May told reporters:
Let’s not pre-empt what the review is going to do. The whole point of having the review is we recognise the concern that people have.Let’s not pre-empt what the review is going to do. The whole point of having the review is we recognise the concern that people have.
And, as I say, it’s not just the young people themselves, it’s their parents and their whole families worry about this.And, as I say, it’s not just the young people themselves, it’s their parents and their whole families worry about this.
So, it’s for the review to come forward with proposals so I’m not going to pre-empt it. Let’s see what they come forward with.So, it’s for the review to come forward with proposals so I’m not going to pre-empt it. Let’s see what they come forward with.
May is due to appear on ITV’s This Morning in about five minutes – we’ll cover that live.May is due to appear on ITV’s This Morning in about five minutes – we’ll cover that live.
The prime minister also met sixth form pupils during the school visit this morning – ahead of her speech on post-18 education funding. Speaking to reporters, May said:The prime minister also met sixth form pupils during the school visit this morning – ahead of her speech on post-18 education funding. Speaking to reporters, May said:
It’s been great listening to the students about their experience of making choices as to whether to go to university or do an apprenticeship.It’s been great listening to the students about their experience of making choices as to whether to go to university or do an apprenticeship.
What we’re doing today is announcing a review of higher education, of tertiary education, which is both about the whole question of the concern that students and parents and grandparents have of the cost of the debt that students get into when they go to university, the cost of fees and so forth, whether they’re getting value for money.What we’re doing today is announcing a review of higher education, of tertiary education, which is both about the whole question of the concern that students and parents and grandparents have of the cost of the debt that students get into when they go to university, the cost of fees and so forth, whether they’re getting value for money.
But it’s also about making sure that we have a system that enables students to make the right choices.But it’s also about making sure that we have a system that enables students to make the right choices.
So for those for whom a technical education, a vocational education, or an apprenticeship is right, perhaps rather than going to university, that they’re able to be aware of the opportunities that are open to them.So for those for whom a technical education, a vocational education, or an apprenticeship is right, perhaps rather than going to university, that they’re able to be aware of the opportunities that are open to them.
And that we don’t see a sort of stigma attached to technical education, that people recognise that what’s important is what is right for every young person.And that we don’t see a sort of stigma attached to technical education, that people recognise that what’s important is what is right for every young person.
The prime minister, Theresa May, has been speaking to reporters during a school visit in west London. She called the latest revelations in the Oxfam scandal – that some witnesses were threatened – “absolutely horrific”.The prime minister, Theresa May, has been speaking to reporters during a school visit in west London. She called the latest revelations in the Oxfam scandal – that some witnesses were threatened – “absolutely horrific”.
It was far below the standards that we expect for the charities and the NGOs that we’re working with.It was far below the standards that we expect for the charities and the NGOs that we’re working with.
And I understand there have been further revelations today which show that actually there was physical intimidation of witnesses.And I understand there have been further revelations today which show that actually there was physical intimidation of witnesses.
This is absolutely horrific. This is exactly the problem that we see which means that all too often people don’t feel able to come forward to report what has happened to them, the behaviour that they’ve been on the receiving end of.This is absolutely horrific. This is exactly the problem that we see which means that all too often people don’t feel able to come forward to report what has happened to them, the behaviour that they’ve been on the receiving end of.
She also addressed the allegations against Brendan Cox while he was working for Save the Children. May said he had recognised his behaviour “made women feel uncomfortable”.She also addressed the allegations against Brendan Cox while he was working for Save the Children. May said he had recognised his behaviour “made women feel uncomfortable”.
I think what is important from a government point-of-view in dealing with these charities is we are demanding that these charities come forward in very short order and show us what their safeguarding, their protection arrangements are.I think what is important from a government point-of-view in dealing with these charities is we are demanding that these charities come forward in very short order and show us what their safeguarding, their protection arrangements are.
We will not work with anybody who does not meet the high standards that we set and we believe are important.We will not work with anybody who does not meet the high standards that we set and we believe are important.
The external review of post-school education funding has been a long time coming, with internal battles within the government starting last summer, when Theresa May and aides first floated it as an idea for her party conference speech.The external review of post-school education funding has been a long time coming, with internal battles within the government starting last summer, when Theresa May and aides first floated it as an idea for her party conference speech.
An external review was fiercely resisted by Justine Greening and other education ministers as being unnecessary. But May was so spooked by Labour’s youth vote that she ploughed on and ousted Greening as education secretary last month.An external review was fiercely resisted by Justine Greening and other education ministers as being unnecessary. But May was so spooked by Labour’s youth vote that she ploughed on and ousted Greening as education secretary last month.
Greening has lost little time setting out her own ideas for reform in a blog post that went live on her personal website yesterday. It contains much more radical suggestions:Greening has lost little time setting out her own ideas for reform in a blog post that went live on her personal website yesterday. It contains much more radical suggestions:
Firstly, maintenance grants should be reintroduced. To remove them was regressive and this mistake should be rectified. Under the current maintenance loan approach, students from lower income families less able to help them with living costs, come out with more debt, like for like, than their better off peers. That’s unfair and cannot be allowed to continue.Firstly, maintenance grants should be reintroduced. To remove them was regressive and this mistake should be rectified. Under the current maintenance loan approach, students from lower income families less able to help them with living costs, come out with more debt, like for like, than their better off peers. That’s unfair and cannot be allowed to continue.
Secondly, the graduate contribution should stop paying off a ‘loan’ and instead be paid into a Higher Education Fund (akin to National Insurance funding the NHS/pensions).Secondly, the graduate contribution should stop paying off a ‘loan’ and instead be paid into a Higher Education Fund (akin to National Insurance funding the NHS/pensions).
There are suggestions the government found it hard to recruit panel members for the year-long review. The chair, Philip Augar, is best known as a financial writer but with little in the way of education credentials. Prof Alison Wolf is widely respected on vocational qualifications but has expressed traditionalist views on universities, including a limit on student numbers.There are suggestions the government found it hard to recruit panel members for the year-long review. The chair, Philip Augar, is best known as a financial writer but with little in the way of education credentials. Prof Alison Wolf is widely respected on vocational qualifications but has expressed traditionalist views on universities, including a limit on student numbers.
The chairman of an influential parliamentary committee, Bernard Jenkin, has told ministers: “If you want to make the choice, you need to make the choice now” on proposals to cut the number of MPs from 650 to 600.The chairman of an influential parliamentary committee, Bernard Jenkin, has told ministers: “If you want to make the choice, you need to make the choice now” on proposals to cut the number of MPs from 650 to 600.
The public administration and constitutional affairs committee has warned that the existing plans are unlikely to pass a Commons vote and called for one to be brought forward from the autumn to allow time to decide on boundaries before the 2020 general election. He has told Sky News:The public administration and constitutional affairs committee has warned that the existing plans are unlikely to pass a Commons vote and called for one to be brought forward from the autumn to allow time to decide on boundaries before the 2020 general election. He has told Sky News:
At the moment, the DUP are undeclared. We will not get it through if the DUP does not support this boundary review. There are a lot of Tories who don’t want it but whether they will actually vote against it is a moot point. But, if we vote against it in the autumn ... we could end up fighting a general election on boundaries that were designed for 2005.At the moment, the DUP are undeclared. We will not get it through if the DUP does not support this boundary review. There are a lot of Tories who don’t want it but whether they will actually vote against it is a moot point. But, if we vote against it in the autumn ... we could end up fighting a general election on boundaries that were designed for 2005.
The education secretary, Damian Hinds, has been putting some more meat on the bones of the prime minister’s forthcoming speech on the government’s further education review. Specifically, he’s been speaking to Sky News about the proposal to cut the interest rates on student loans.The education secretary, Damian Hinds, has been putting some more meat on the bones of the prime minister’s forthcoming speech on the government’s further education review. Specifically, he’s been speaking to Sky News about the proposal to cut the interest rates on student loans.
The interest rate does serve an important purpose, which is to make the system more progressive, so people who do earn a lot of money in their 20s and 30s will end up contributing proportionately more than people who don’t earn those sums of money after they graduate.The interest rate does serve an important purpose, which is to make the system more progressive, so people who do earn a lot of money in their 20s and 30s will end up contributing proportionately more than people who don’t earn those sums of money after they graduate.
But I don’t think you can look at it in isolation. I do understand the concerns that have been raised about that but the panel will look at all these different aspects and then the government review will respond.But I don’t think you can look at it in isolation. I do understand the concerns that have been raised about that but the panel will look at all these different aspects and then the government review will respond.
Another story that’s still getting some coverage this morning is the claim that the Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn, was one of the party figures who unwittingly met a Czech communist spy in the 1980s.Another story that’s still getting some coverage this morning is the claim that the Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn, was one of the party figures who unwittingly met a Czech communist spy in the 1980s.
The Sun has been pushing the story but it’s the Daily Mail that splashes on it this morning, while the issue also gets a slot on the front of the Daily Telegraph (see 8.30am).The Sun has been pushing the story but it’s the Daily Mail that splashes on it this morning, while the issue also gets a slot on the front of the Daily Telegraph (see 8.30am).
Monday’s @DailyMailUK #MailFrontPages pic.twitter.com/4cCLRxHQMWMonday’s @DailyMailUK #MailFrontPages pic.twitter.com/4cCLRxHQMW
The alleged spy says more than a dozen Labour MPs passed him information in the 1980s in return for thousands of pounds, according to the Mail.The alleged spy says more than a dozen Labour MPs passed him information in the 1980s in return for thousands of pounds, according to the Mail.
A spokesman for Corbyn has previously said the Labour leader met a Czechoslovakian diplomat but “neither had nor offered any privileged information”. Labour has also criticised the defence secretary, Gavin Williamson, for lending credence to “false and ridiculous smears”.A spokesman for Corbyn has previously said the Labour leader met a Czechoslovakian diplomat but “neither had nor offered any privileged information”. Labour has also criticised the defence secretary, Gavin Williamson, for lending credence to “false and ridiculous smears”.
The Guardian columnist, Matthew d’Ancona, has this take:The Guardian columnist, Matthew d’Ancona, has this take:
It is the gravest of mistakes to confuse change with a clean slate, and to allow modernity to become amnesia. By all means acquit Corbyn of the charge that his meetings with a Czech diplomat in the 80s make him unfit for the highest office in 2018. But don’t pretend that they are an irrelevance. Who controls the past controls the future, as all totalitarians know. But it is also true that those who insist upon understanding the past have the best chance of safeguarding both their own liberty and the prospects of progress. Be warned: the idea of “year zero” only has value to those with something to hide.It is the gravest of mistakes to confuse change with a clean slate, and to allow modernity to become amnesia. By all means acquit Corbyn of the charge that his meetings with a Czech diplomat in the 80s make him unfit for the highest office in 2018. But don’t pretend that they are an irrelevance. Who controls the past controls the future, as all totalitarians know. But it is also true that those who insist upon understanding the past have the best chance of safeguarding both their own liberty and the prospects of progress. Be warned: the idea of “year zero” only has value to those with something to hide.
Good morning and welcome to the politics live blog. The main story this morning is Theresa May’s attempt to take back control of the news agenda by talking about something that’s not Brexit.Good morning and welcome to the politics live blog. The main story this morning is Theresa May’s attempt to take back control of the news agenda by talking about something that’s not Brexit.
In a speech to be delivered in Derby this afternoon, the prime minister will set out how she believes the government can reverse a trend that “leaves students from the lowest-income households bearing the highest levels of debt” and force cuts to the fees charged for some courses.In a speech to be delivered in Derby this afternoon, the prime minister will set out how she believes the government can reverse a trend that “leaves students from the lowest-income households bearing the highest levels of debt” and force cuts to the fees charged for some courses.
May will announce a review of education funding for over-18s in England that the new education secretary, Damian Hinds, has already hinted is likely to recommend that some institutions cut fees for social science and humanities courses; particularly where recent graduates have earned lower salaries.May will announce a review of education funding for over-18s in England that the new education secretary, Damian Hinds, has already hinted is likely to recommend that some institutions cut fees for social science and humanities courses; particularly where recent graduates have earned lower salaries.
But the proposals have received short shrift from May’s party colleagues and the higher education sector.But the proposals have received short shrift from May’s party colleagues and the higher education sector.
Most of this morning’s papers feature the story prominently.Most of this morning’s papers feature the story prominently.
Guardian front page, Monday 19 February 2018: May warning to universities over high cost of tuition fees pic.twitter.com/0PvP8qUz1nGuardian front page, Monday 19 February 2018: May warning to universities over high cost of tuition fees pic.twitter.com/0PvP8qUz1n
Tomorrow's front page: Savers lose millions to retirement fraudsters #tomorrowspapertoday pic.twitter.com/wnm0stReQVTomorrow's front page: Savers lose millions to retirement fraudsters #tomorrowspapertoday pic.twitter.com/wnm0stReQV
The front page of tomorrow's Daily Telegraph: 'Hidden calories fuelling obesity' #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/l8a6HMYV4KThe front page of tomorrow's Daily Telegraph: 'Hidden calories fuelling obesity' #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/l8a6HMYV4K
Monday's i: Tuition fee reforms 'will be divisive' #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/J2Oyuj7JH1Monday's i: Tuition fee reforms 'will be divisive' #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/J2Oyuj7JH1
Monday's Metro: "PM: Uni fees unfair and poor value" #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/VTv9dhahOgMonday's Metro: "PM: Uni fees unfair and poor value" #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/VTv9dhahOg
Hammond to ditch red box – and announcementsHammond to ditch red box – and announcements
The chancellor, Philip Hammond, will ditch the budget red box for a stripped-down spring statement with no major tax or spending announcements, the Treasury says. The story makes the front page of this morning’s Financial Times:The chancellor, Philip Hammond, will ditch the budget red box for a stripped-down spring statement with no major tax or spending announcements, the Treasury says. The story makes the front page of this morning’s Financial Times:
Monday's Financial Times: "Trump hits out at FBI inquiry and says Moscow is laughing at turmoil" #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/pttDioN58FMonday's Financial Times: "Trump hits out at FBI inquiry and says Moscow is laughing at turmoil" #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/pttDioN58F
Corbyn highlights problem of racist abuseCorbyn highlights problem of racist abuse
The Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn, has warned that Muslim women are facing routine racist abuse on the streets of the UK, saying Islamophobia is a “real problem in our society, as is other forms of racism like antisemitism and racism against people of Afro-Caribbean heritage”.The Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn, has warned that Muslim women are facing routine racist abuse on the streets of the UK, saying Islamophobia is a “real problem in our society, as is other forms of racism like antisemitism and racism against people of Afro-Caribbean heritage”.
This weekend, the party expelled an activist who had previously been suspended over allegations of anti-semitic abuse as it seeks to get a grip on the problem within its own ranks.This weekend, the party expelled an activist who had previously been suspended over allegations of anti-semitic abuse as it seeks to get a grip on the problem within its own ranks.
MP makes welcome returnMP makes welcome return
The former cabinet minister, James Brokenshire, returns to parliament for the first time since he underwent lung surgery.The former cabinet minister, James Brokenshire, returns to parliament for the first time since he underwent lung surgery.
Pleased to say that I’ve been recovering strongly after my lung surgery a month ago. Have had incredible love and support from family and overwhelmed by so many kind emails, letters and messages. Will be back at Westminster when the Commons returns on Tuesday 👍 pic.twitter.com/UbGPKnUlU9Pleased to say that I’ve been recovering strongly after my lung surgery a month ago. Have had incredible love and support from family and overwhelmed by so many kind emails, letters and messages. Will be back at Westminster when the Commons returns on Tuesday 👍 pic.twitter.com/UbGPKnUlU9
Boundary review in doubtBoundary review in doubt
The government is facing calls for an early Commons vote on plans to cut the number of MPs from 650 to 600. One is due in the autumn but a committee of MPs is warning it is unlikely to pass. If that happens, they say, it would be too late to carry out a fresh boundary review in time for the 2022 general election.The government is facing calls for an early Commons vote on plans to cut the number of MPs from 650 to 600. One is due in the autumn but a committee of MPs is warning it is unlikely to pass. If that happens, they say, it would be too late to carry out a fresh boundary review in time for the 2022 general election.