‘Campaigning to keep the lights on’: the desperate plight of England’s schools and universities

Despite their costs going through the roof', education leaders fear they will be a low priority for the next occupant of No 10

Education leaders in England fear one thing: that schools, colleges and universities will be hammered by the cost of living crisis but will not be enough of a priority to get the help they need from government. And they see little hope from a change in leadership at No 10.

Our costs are going through the roof, our staff badly need pay rises and are going to strike, our students are suffering, but our income is stuck," said one vice-chancellor, echoing their peers in schools and colleges around the country.