AoC Sustainability Briefing September 2024

The new Government – 2 months in

The new government has been relatively quiet on what it will prioritise regarding climate change and sustainability since taking office, the Labour Party’s sustainability pledge focused specifically on the transition to green energy and making “Britain a clean energy superpower”. We will need to continue to lobby DFE and DESNEZ to ensure college are recognised as key partners in realising the governments net zero ambitions.

We will also need to demonstrate how colleges can and will contribute to a “Mission-driven government” and the 5 key areas the Labour Party has promoted to re-build Britain; these will largely dictate where the new Government will make its key investment and spending decisions.

1) Kickstart economic growth

to secure the highest sustained growth in the G7 – with good jobs and productivity growth in every part of the country making everyone, not just a few, better off.

2) Make Britain a clean energy superpower

to cut bills, create jobs and deliver security with cheaper, zero-carbon electricity by 2030, accelerating to net zero.

3) Take back our streets

by halving serious violent crime and raising confidence in the police and criminal justice system to its highest levels.

4) Break down barriers to opportunity

by reforming our childcare and education systems, to make sure there is no class ceiling on the ambitions of young people in Britain.

5) Build an NHS fit for the future

that is there when people need it; with fewer lives lost to the biggest killers; in a fairer Britain, where everyone lives well for longer.

Clearly Mission 2 is a crucial area for colleges and that government must invest in col-eges to provide the skills, education, retraining and upskilling and careers advice to attract more people into the emerging Green Economy; and of course clean energy, renewables and allied sectors such as carbon capture and digital.

Alongside the 5 missions we also know what the government expects to deliver for the post-16 education sector to address the vital skills and training for all learners to ensure a highly trained workforce which includes:

• Bringing forward a comprehensive strategy for post-16 education.

• Reforming the apprenticeship levy.

• Establishing the Skills England Bill and a new Growth and Skills Levy.

• Transform FE colleges into specialist Technical Excellence Colleges.

• Youth guarantee program for all 18- to 21-year-olds.

AoC working with the AoC Sustainability and Climate Change reference Groups, col-leges, employers and partners will be campaigning on behalf of colleges over the next few months to ensure colleges are central to government mission and its plans.

Since the election, the government has launched the national curriculum review and Skills England, but the BTECs review has been paused. These announcements may pave the way for more widespread sustainability content throughout the FE curriculum.

The Climate Change Committee 2024 Progress Report to Parliament

The Climate Change Committee released a report outlining the UK Government’s current progress in reducing emissions. A recommendation is to publish a strategy to support workers in the sector, assess the skills needed and gaps for Net-zero and to develop an action plan to deliver the skills required. Climate Change Committee

Key Ministers

New ministers have been appointed to DESNEZ and Education most who we are already working with. Following a request from DESNEZ we provided a range of green energy college case studies highlighting work of colleges supporting employers to Ed Miliband and will be working closely with officials in both departments.

Energy Security and New Zero

Ed Miliband Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero

Sarah Jones Minister of State

Lord (Philip) Hunt Minister of State

Kerry McCarthy Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State

Michael Shanks Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State

Miatta Fahnbulleh Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State

Education

Bridget Phillipson Secretary of State for Education and Minister for Women and Equalities

Baroness (Jacqui) Smith Minister of State

Anneliese Dodds Minister for Women and Equalities

Catherine McKinnell Minister of State

Stephen Morgan Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State

Janet Daby Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State

Contact: Ian.Munro@aoc.co.uk