Johnson should not try to abolish the distinction between academic and technical education

His speech contained many sensible initiatives – but ministers should not be led astray by illusory shortcuts.

Edward Peck: The Government is right to set its sights on technical education. But it needs serious investment too.

A piecemeal and half-hearted approach to funding skills-based education and training has undermined serious progress in this area for decades.

Neil O’Brien: How we can win support from younger voters – and turn our present strength into an enduring majority

For me, the most concerning thing wasn’t being behind among the very young, but being behind among everyone under age 47.

John Bald: How to boost technical education in our schools

Practical skills such as bricklaying, electrical work, carpentry, and plumbing, can be taught alongside GCSEs.

Robert Halfon: Why our secondary school exams really do a need a radical vocational overhaul

All I am trying to do is give impetus to a national conversation about how our education system should prepare our young people for the future.

Conservative education policy is up for grabs

We trail a mini-series on what might happen next amidst a sense of uncertainty about will follow the Gove reforms.

The Government must get to grips with graduate oversupply

Fresh thinking on vocational and technical education is a good start, but fundamental questions about higher education and the state’s role in it remain.

Graham Brady: Let technical and vocational schools fulfil their potential by allowing them to select

Tailoring teaching to children’s needs and interests works in every type of education. Why restrict the benefits of selection?

John Bald: It’s time to boost the Further Education sector

It is funded at a lower level than schools, and yet is expected to put right much that has gone wrong. Technical courses need higher esteem.

Scott Kelly: Technical education is still too narrow, and flaws in the apprenticeship levy are hindering progress

The Government must act now, or risk a generation of school leavers missing out on the opportunity to acquire technical skills.

WATCH: “This is proceeding at the proper pace” – Hinds denies that he is pushing too fast on T-levels

“We started this process a couple of years ago, there’s still two years and four months before teaching will begin”, the Education Secretary argues.

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?

“We need to throw away this outdated attitude for good.” May’s higher education speech. Full Text.

“That means equality of access to an academic university education, and a much greater focus on the technical alternatives too.”

Nadhim Zahawi: Unfussily, quietly and impressively, Hammond’s Budget has prepared the ground for national recovery

The Chancellor has not suddenly changed who he is; he has carefully analysed the issues we face and plotted out a course of action to build a Britain fit for the future.

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.