Kate writes a bi-weekly column for the Burton Mail. This column was originally featured in the 7th October print edition.
The new James Bond film, No Time To Die, is now in cinemas and many movie critics believe this will be the flick that gets people back to the big screen for the first time since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic.
Another thing happening which is also the first to take place since COVID-19, albeit much more niche and perhaps not quite as big a blockbuster hit, is the in-person political parties conference season.
This week was the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester and whilst I appreciate these are not events the public scrupulously follow, there have been a number of significant announcements made by the Government setting the future direction of the country.
The key theme of this conference was Building Back Better and doubling down on the Levelling Up agenda. Earlier in the week, the Chancellor, Rishi Sunak announced 2,000 Artificial Intelligence scholarships for disadvantaged young people and doubling the number of Turing fellowships for global study and work. On Tuesday, the Home Secretary, Priti Patel announced new measures to give police and courts new powers to deal with the small minority intent on causing disruption to communities and livelihoods by blocking cars and trains.
Yesterday, the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson spoke candidly about his ambition to move the UK towards a high-wage, high-skill, high productivity economy. For me, the most important announcement was that of a £3,000 Levelling Up Premium for the most in need schools to attract the best science and maths teachers. As an MP, I visit our local schools on an almost weekly basis and know that education is ultimately the greatest leveller and the difference good teachers can make to the life chances of their pupils. The opportunities that this and the other work the Government is doing around improving technical education is really encouraging and will help to put an end to the illusion that a degree is the only route to success and a good job.
The last 18 months have been an incredibly difficult time but as the Prime Minister said in Manchester, now is the time to Build Back Better.
