Jude D’Alesio: Labour’s proposal to ban unpaid internships would reduce opportunities for the young

From my experience, the days of photocopying and making coffee in a seedy office are over. Being an intern is a chance to learn.

Barry Lewis: County Councils can drive county deals. We don’t need more layers of government through Metro Mayors.

Powers over transport and infrastructure will help us shape the places of the future. Devolved skills budgets will get the support young people need.

Michael Goode: How to close the inspiration gap in schools between students’ ability and their outcomes

Looking back on my schooldays, I can see how little we had in terms of inspiration. We simply didn’t know what we could aim for.

Rachel Wolf: Tests for the delivery of levelling up, and levers with which to deliver it

It now needs to get real. This is clearly the plan in the next few months, starting with the Queen’s Speech tomorrow, leading to the Levelling Up paper. 

Interview. Therese Coffey – “An element of a kinder politics is not calling other people bigots because you don’t agree with them.”

Here’s her take on Universal Credit, science, Liverpool, same-sex marriage – and her department. “Big thanks to the Jabs Army, we are the Jobs Army.”

WATCH: Street – The Government “need to focus on retraining people who have lost their jobs”

“What will drive levelling up is not necessarily about roads and bridges but getting people ready for the industries of the future.”

Damian Green: Why a forced choice between a Brexity North and a Globalist South would be a false one – and damage our Party

The first of a ConHome series this week on Boris Johnson’s Reset Moment – and what should follow from it.

Andy Street: Our experience in the West Midlands shows how skills drive economic success

The devolved Adult Education Budget ensures that every pound delivers more qualifications that employers actually want.

Ryan Bourne: Sunak shouldn’t try today to restore pre-virus Britain. It’s gone – and we must now adapt.

What normalisation should mean is the return to a functioning market economy where our wants and needs are met in today’s circumstances.

This really is the time to let the deficit grow big enough to look after itself

If, that is, interest rates carry on at rock bottom rates. But we have to take a chance on growing our way out of this crisis.

Ben Bradley: With a focus on further education and apprenticeships, the economy can bounce back

The restriction on the number of apprentices small businesses can take on should be lifted. FE colleges should boost entrepreneurship.

John Cope: Is the UK ready to be Singapore-on-Thames? It’s going to be an upskill battle

The Apprenticeship Levy is not working. Greater flexibility is needed so employers boost spending on high-quality training.

David Skelton: How Johnson can cement the Tory position in the North

The Government must spare no effort to deliver dignified work, up-to-date infrastructure, and state-of-the-art training to these long-neglected communities.

David Davis: How to keep the new working class voters we won last Thursday – and win even more

In this new political battle, the greatest tension will not be left v right or even fiscal
doves v economic hawks.   It will be a battle between creativity and convention.

Richard Morgan: The Apprenticeship Levy could still achieve the ambitious targets it was set

Rather than abandon the Apprenticeship Levy, the Conservatives should radically reform it.