The Quality of Life policy paper aims to make the concept central to the party's political purpose, and includes measures around wellbeing. Interestingly, the motion on "Facing the Future", which lays out the areas of policy development for the party before the next general election, while including supporting working families in their agenda, leaves education noticeably absent from the list of topics they are examining.
Reports suggest the big debate at the Labour Party conference (25 to 29 September) will be Ed Milliband attempting to change clause one of Labour's constitution to put community organising and social justice at the heart of the party. Their fringe sessions include meetings on freeing children from sexual exploitation, early intervention and child poverty, the role of local authorities in education, and children's rights.
With the current NHS and education reforms and the impact of the recent riots still high on politicians' agendas, the Conservative conference (2 to 5 October) will be holding sessions on welfare reform, jobs, home affairs, the NHS, schools and families. Their fringe conference programme includes sessions on how to empower head teachers to improve schools, improving family wellbeing in hard times, and improving discipline in schools.
Sally Cole, NCB's senior policy officer
