Conservative Party Conference 2023: Key discussions impacting children and young people

CYP Now rounds up policy announcements that could have the greatest impact on the sector.

• Government policy briefs for children and young people

• Children's Workforce Guide to Qualifications and Training 2023/24

Mobile phone ban in school

Education Secretary Gillian Keegan announced that the government will back headteachers in banning mobile phones in schools.

Speaking at the conference, she said: “One of the biggest issues facing children and teachers is grappling with the impact of smartphones in our schools. The distraction, the disruption, the bullying – we know that teachers are struggling with their impact and we know that they need support so we’re recognising the amazing work that many schools have done in banning mobile phones, and we’re announcing that we will change guidance so that all schools follow their lead.”

Many were concerned that this blanket policy will not solve the underlying behaviour issues ministers say are behind it.

Patrick Roach, general secretary at NASUWT – The Teachers’ Union, said: “If the government introduces blanket bans that are unenforceable, this will make the behaviour crisis worse, not better.”

Unions were also disappointed that this was the main piece of guidance for schools to come out of the conference, saying that there are more pressing issues to deal with.

Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the National Education Union, said: “The Education Secretary must acknowledge and address the challenge of teacher recruitment and retention, persistent real-terms funding cuts, the lack of mental health support both within and outside of school, and the rising levels of child poverty. These are the issues school leaders are currently most concerned about.”

The Carers Trust also expressed concern, saying young carers must be exempt from any ban. 

Carers Trust's chief executive, Kirsty McHugh, said: “An outright ban would make it impossible for them to stay in touch with the family members they look after. At Carers Trust, we know how these young people often rely on their phones to find out urgently if something has gone wrong at home, to hear how medical tests have gone or to check in on unwell parents at breaktimes.”

National living wage increase

Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt confirmed that the national living wage will rise to two thirds of average earnings, making it at least £11 an hour from April 2024.

Reaction among the general public suggested that the increase will not be noticeable given the UK’s cost-of-living crisis, however, childcare providers raised concerns that the increase will reduce funding available for the provision of services to children.

Neil Leitch, chief executive of the Early Years Alliance, said: “Unless the government ensures that funding for the sector rises in line with wage increases, what should be a positive development for the sector could end up marking the final nail in the coffin for settings across the country.”

Purnima Tanuku, chief executive of National Day Nurseries Association said: “Wage bills make up around 75 per cent of total nursery business costs, so if owners can’t increase their income through funding or fees they won’t be able to keep the staff they desperately need, resulting in even more closures. We have already reported that nursery closures are up by 50 per cent this year compared with last year. The sector needs to expand, not contract, so they will need help to be able to pay staff the new national living wage when it comes in from April.”

Access to education

Independent think-tank The Centre for Independent Justice hosted a fringe debate at the conference, in which the Education Secretary spoke around school absences, access to education services and her party's long term plans.

Keegan said the aim was “to get children into school and to stay in school, and we need to work together to make this happen".

The think-tank revealed that 1.7 million children are persistently absent and called for long term decisions and funding to allow the voluntary sector to allow children to fully access education.

Changes to post-16 qualifications

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak used the conference to announce plans to introduce a Baccalaureate-style replacement for A-levels and T-levels.

The plan, which would not come into force until children currently starting primary school leave formal education, would see all 16-to 19-year-olds in England typically study five subjects as part of the new Advanced British Standard, including some English and maths to 18.

Sunak told his audience that “more teachers would be recruited” to support the change.

However, union bosses have criticised the proposal with National Education Union general secretary Daniel Kebede accusing Sunak of “doubling down on pie-in-the-sky education policies”.

“There is no magic wand to create English and maths teachers in sufficient numbers to educate 11- to 16-year-olds, let alone at A-Level too. 

"We already have a shortage of secondary teachers. One in six English teachers and one in five mathematics teachers do not have a post A-Level qualification in the subject. We need an additional 4,300 mathematics teachers and 2,600 English teachers to cover current needs,” he said.

University disruption

Following recent marking boycotts and strikes in university settings, Keegan announced at the conference that the Government will launch a consultation on “minimum service levels” in universities.

The Education Secretary said that the aim will be for universities to “have the tools to make sure that students get the teaching they deserve”.

Responding to the announcement, UCU general secretary Jo Grady said: ''This is a spiteful attack on workers everywhere from a party that has run out of options and will soon be run out of office. We will not stand by while Tory MPs try to force our members to cross their own picket lines.”

Cracking down on smoking

Sunak announced proposals to increase age restrictions on buying tobacco every year in a bid to stop sales entirely.

He also said the government would consider cracking down on the marketing of vapes aimed at children.

Health and social care committee chair Steve Brine MP said while he welcomed plans to increase age limits on the sale of cigarettes, he added that it would do very little to support those already addicted to tobacco.

He added: “The health and social care committee has been very clear that both the government and the vaping industry need to take decisive action to protect children from the harmful effects of vaping and we have urged tougher restrictions on packaging and the marketing of vapes in line with those that already apply to tobacco products.    

“I would urge ministers to mitigate for any unintended consequences before any changes are to be introduced. Any measures that led to a growth of the black market of illegal vapes would be worrying. We’ve heard alarming evidence about hazardous chemicals that these types of vapes can contain.” 

The conference will continue today and is being held in Manchester.