Time for poor to see their rewards as Sarwar aims focus on 'forgotten 60 per cent'
Anas Sarwar’s focus on the “forgotten 60 per cent” of young people who do not go to university should be welcomed across the political divide.
School leaver policy since 1999 has centred on the importance of higher education and widening access. Money talks and public subsidy has followed students in the pursuit of their dreams. Someone from a well-off background who attends university will be backed by tens of thousands of pounds over the course of a degree.
But a pupil from a less privileged background who lost out from the country’s unequal education system receives no such support. The message sent by successive Governments is that university is the priority and everyone should aim for the gold medal.
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READ MORE:Anas Sarwar says "forgotten kids" who don't attend uni will be his priority as First Minister
Sarwar is attempting to change the conversation so that every young person, regardless of their school grades, gets a shot at a better future. Under this fresh approach, apprenticeships, training and support for forming businesses would no longer be treated as inferior.
His comments also confirm a philosophical shift in Labour in favour of targeted support. Sarwar will not be taking an axe to universal benefits and continues to back the SNP’s flagship policy on free tuition for uni students. But if he is First Minister new spending will be targeted at those most in need.
One of the stories of devolution is how middle Scotland benefited from public money at times of plenty and scarcity. Sarwar’s intervention is a sign the priorities of the past 25 years are being turned on their head. The better-off have done well from devolution but the time has come for Scotland’s poor to reap the benefits.
Think again Keir
Party conferences usually rubber stamp whatever motions are put in front of members by senior officials.
But it was a different story yesterday in Liverpool. Labour members decided to make their displeasure known over the decision to make the winter fuel payment means-tested.
Their vote was symbolic but it should make Keir Starmer pause for thought. The Prime Minister has repeatedly justified the cut as needed to help deal with the black hole in public finances caused by the Tories.
But he should now consider expanding eligibility for the benefit. Many in the party believe the remit is now too narrow and many struggling households will miss out as a result.
Anas Sarwar has said he would consider working with the SNP to increase the number of older Scots who should qualify. Starmer may enjoy a huge majority in the House of Commons, but that doesn’t mean he should ignore the voice of his members.
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