This year’s Labour Party Conference made one thing clear: education and skills are at the heart of the Government’s economic vision. Across fringe events, panel discussions, and speeches, the message was consistent: driving growth will depend on building a highly skilled, regionally empowered workforce and addressing long-standing structural inequalities in education.
Skills policy was one of the defining themes of the conference, positioned as central to Labour’s plans for economic renewal. The Government’s shift away from the old “50% to university” target towards a new ambition – that two-thirds of young people achieve higher-level learning by the age of 25 – marks a significant cultural change. Crucially, this target includes both university education and “gold standard” apprenticeships, signalling a genuine intent to achieve parity between academic, technical, and vocational routes. However, details on how this target will be met have been scarce.
Bridget Phillipson and Rachel Reeves were, however, both clear that skills development is not just a social good, but an economic necessity. They framed investment in training and further education as essential to productivity and “good growth.” The additional £800 million announced for FE and apprenticeships underscored this point, alongside commitments to regional skills partnerships and employer-led training. The message was consistent: the next phase of economic growth will be built through education.
For universities, the conference highlighted the need to think locally as well as nationally. There was widespread acknowledgement that traditional lobbying routes have not always been effective. Looking ahead, universities that build stronger relationships with local political leaders, metro mayors, and regional stakeholders are likely to be better placed to make the case for higher education’s value. Securing local champions will be key to sustaining influence and ensuring that the sector’s priorities are reflected in national decisions.
Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) reform emerged as one of the most pressing and politically sensitive areas in education. Across multiple sessions, speakers acknowledged the growing strain on local authority budgets and the challenges facing schools. There was consensus that the current system is unsustainable, and that reform will require early intervention, clearer accountability, and better coordination between local and national systems.
The forthcoming Schools White Paper is expected to be a defining moment; both for Labour’s credibility on education reform and for parents and educators seeking change. Whether the Government can translate its ambition into practical solutions will be a key test in the months ahead.
Although no formal announcement was made, there was strong expectation among senior Labour figures, including Bridget Phillipson and Lucy Powell, both fighting for the Deputy Leadership, that the two-child benefit cap will soon be lifted. The policy has long been criticised for exacerbating child poverty and educational inequality. Removing it would mark a significant social and economic shift and would align with Labour’s commitment to breaking the link between poverty and attainment.
If introduced, this change could have tangible impacts on school readiness, attendance, and outcomes, particularly in areas of high deprivation. It would also signal a move towards tackling the root causes of inequality rather than focusing solely on outcomes within schools.
Throughout the conference, collaboration emerged as the defining principle of Labour’s approach to delivery. Ministers repeatedly stressed that achieving progress, in skills, inclusion, or lifelong learning, will require coordination between government departments, education providers, employers, and the voluntary sector.
The tone was pragmatic and open. Labour appears ready to engage with evidence and expertise but expects the sector to align with its broader priorities for economic growth and social renewal. Effective partnerships will be central to shaping implementation frameworks and ensuring that policies deliver on their ambitions.
The tone of this year’s Labour Party Conference was one of urgency and opportunity. Education is being positioned as a core driver of economic and social change, with skills, collaboration, and regional empowerment at its centre. For those working across the sector, this could be the start of a new phase in the relationship between education and government, defined by partnership, delivery, and shared responsibility.
