Robert Halfon: If we stay in this shutdown beyond the end of May, it won’t be a threat to our liberty, but the safeguarding of our lives 

If police officers are shouting at people with loudhailers and disbanding picnickers in local parks, then, good.

Robert Halfon: Degree apprenticeships – the key to fighting social injustice in higher education, and boosting productivity.

The new Office for Students must lead in this. There must be sanctions from the new regulator for those universities who are failing in this regard.

Robert Halfon: Ministers should value the Open University no less than Oxbridge. And the latter should open up to apprenticeships.

What is the objective of higher education if it does not play a major role in addressing our country’s skills deficit?

Ideas for the Budget 5) James Kirkup: Ditch the surplus target. Build new towns. Raise inheritance taxes and boost universal credit.

The Social Market Foundation isn’t tied to any party. We’re centrists – our advice and ideas on offer to anyone who wants to put common sense ahead of ideology.