This August children across England will have access to free bus travel. The policy was inspired by a scheme in WECA - we invited Ingrid Skeels, from a Hartcliffe (south Bristol) based charity to talk about the history of the policy and the importance of accessible travel for young people ⤵️

So much important coverage of issues which wouldn't get any/enough attention elsewhere - subscription more than worth it

Totally agree re the need to have targets for unis on disadvantage access to Erasmus+ - but I think this overstates how good Turing was e.g. wasn't the data they published on "disadvantage" super muddy/unis had loads of flex to let people on they termed as "disadvantaged"

This is a great (and balanced in some tricky areas) piece from our Head of AI @sam-rob.bsky.social on some of the big issues facing Burnham's government on the technology -

Np at all/I think it's a good Q - as far as I'm aware there isn't any good data on who actually makes up the ineligible group (and then any splits within that e.g. by income level) to know how many are studying/working but not enough hours/looking for work etc

What if the second non worker is studying/looking for work/a carer? And that aside - it's early education as well as childcare, imo there's evidence we should have a core offer of at least 20 hours for early edu (and requirements that nurseries can't prioritise those on longer hours alongside)

I don't view it as an instead, it's a different policy that isn't designed to do the same thing. It only covers 85% of costs + it's paid in arrears - you also need to be working to claim it. It makes sense on top of 30 hours for anything additional needed work wise for low earners.

...It's also early education that lower income children are missing out on, with evidence they are likely to benefit from that additional time (if the provision is of high quality)

I'm not anti making it available for those on over £100k - but if we're having a chat about that we should also be discussing those at the bottom - including people in education/training and those looking for work (with long waits to access)....

Reminder re the discussion on whether parents on over £100,000 should be able to access funded childcare hours that this is the income split for who can access the 30 hour policy for 3 and 4 year olds - low income families are the main ones currently missing out.

A huge thank you to Policy@Manchester for partnering with us on this topic across Liberal Democrat, Labour and Conservative party conferences.

Another interesting conversation, this time at Conservative party conference, on NEETs and young people's mental health - lots on the role of educational institutions, community, employers and government to support young people and on the importance of preventative care.

(I did try to see the tapestry at 10pm last night but it was closed for a private event, sad times)

Failed to go for a run or see the Birmingham tapestry at Conservative conference

(also huge props to the woman I assume was a TV presenter who put a blazer on top of her running outfit and immediately got in front of a camera?? I mean you only need to look professional on the top I guess?)

Saw one of the party conference parkruns finally this morning - asked someone there and no it does not get logged on the parkrun system/count towards your overall numbers (disappointing)

Looking forward to this important discussion at Conservative party conference in Birmingham tomorrow -