Families up and down Britain, and right here in Meriden and Solihull East, know the power of education. It equips young people with the skills needed to succeed in life. Allowing them to contribute to our economy, democracy and society.
I am so excited to have been appointed Shadow Minister of State for Education by the Leader of the Opposition. It’s vital that the Government’s education policies are held to account robustly so that young people across the country have every chance to succeed.
I was proud to serve in the previous Government who did so much to drive up standards in our schools.
The number of children in Good or Outstanding schools rose from 68 per in 2010 to nearly 90 per cent in 2025 and our children became the best readers and writers in the Western world. These achievements will ensure children being educated in Britain continue leave their mark on society.
However, there are significant hurdles for Government to overcome.
The long-term impact of the Covid-19 pandemic has left parents and schools with huge challenges, particularly on issues like children’s mental health, teacher retention and exacerbating the disadvantage gap. We must find solutions to make sure no child is left behind regardless of their circumstances.
Equally, we must equip young people with the right skills to go into the modern workplace. The impact of artificial intelligence is transforming the world of work. It allows businesses to rapidly increase its productivity but could also mean there are fewer entry-level jobs around.
Unless young people are acutely aware of these challenges and are given the skill set to navigate the world of work we could face an unemployment crisis. I will be challenging the Government on how they seek to tackle these issues.
Today, there are nearly one million 18–24-year-olds not in education, employment or training right now. The potential economic advantage of mobilising this cohort and getting them into work is difficult to underestimate. Our education system must also be tailored to ensure we get this lost generation back into work.
A modern education system must find a better balance between academic and technical education. We have seen the great success this can be right on our own doorstep here in Solihull.
The magnificent WMG Academy, with whom I was proud to host a Careers Fair alongside just last month, has led the way in providing high-quality technical education – preparing young Silihillians for the world of work. We must look at shining examples like the WMG Academy and ensure every child knows they can go on and do well, whether they go to university or not.
It is a privilege to have been appointed Shadow Education Minister – I can’t wait to get started supporting students all over the United Kingdom.
