LightNews LightNews
shauntyn.bsky.social
@shauntyn.bsky.social
49 followers 110 following 0 posts
Posts Replies Media Videos
Reposted
alexhh.bsky.social
If Trump’s concern was drugs, he’d not have pardoned Honduras’s corrupt leader; if terrorism, he’d have gone after Iran; if world order, Russia; if preserving US power, China. If democracy, human rights or humanitarian motive, dozens of other worthy cases. What’s left is oil. And Epstein.
January 4, 2026 at 5:37 AM
Reposted
implausibleblog.bsky.social
If there's one thing you watch today, make it this

Bob Geldof criticises Israel for what they're doing in Gaza

Then criticises Trevor Philips for making excuses for what Israel is doing in Gaza

Part 1/3
July 27, 2025 at 9:05 AM
Reposted
weaadulted.bsky.social
Ahead of the Spring Statement, our Chief Executive and General Secretary, @simonparkinson.bsky.social, has written an open letter to Chancellor Rachel Reeves outlining the benefits of adult learning.

Read letter online: thewea.info/chancellor_l...

#adulteducation #budget #springstatement
Dear Chancellor, There is no question that the economy faces considerable challenges and you will have tough choices to make in the weeks ahead. It is essential that reductions in spending do not become quickly counterproductive by storing up bigger financial pain in the near future. And not only financial pain but a human cost too. The proposed cuts to adult learning are a case in point. They are not efficiency savings as the sector is already running in the most streamlined manner possible. The Adult Skills Fund faces a 2%/3% cut across all the Combined Authorities coupled with a 6% cut for non-devolved ASF across the rest of the country. This will impact courses due to begin in September – courses which would support some of those in our most disadvantaged communities. At the WEA alone this will reduce learner numbers by at least 2,000 (out of a current 30,000 each year). This would scale up to tens of thousands of lost learners across the sector. This at a time when other Government policies are trying to encourage people towards adult learning. The announcement of the 6% ESFA cut came on the same day as the announcements on benefits reform. Those reforms seek to support and motivate people with disabilities and long term medical conditions into work. That requires having the tailored courses available to them in the neighbourhoods in which they live – something which the community adult learning sector currently specialises in but would not be able to do if budgets are cut. The benefits of adult learning are well understood. In the last iteration of the WEA’s Impact report we found that 42% of learners on our skills courses went on to get a job or go into further education. More broadly, 83% of learners reported increased wellbeing and 91% visited their GP less often than the national average. All of these impacts save the Treasury money and are further scaled up across the community learning sector. Follow the weblink to read the full letter.
March 25, 2025 at 12:52 PM
Reposted
weaadulted.bsky.social
@simonparkinson.bsky.social, WEA CEO & General Secretary, responds to plans to cut Adult Skills Funding by 6%.

#adulteducation #budget #cuts
A quote saying: "Yesterday the Department for Education quietly cut 6% from next year's adult skills fund – a budget with impact that reaches far beyond educational outcomes for many people. This cut, coupled with the recent announcement that 2-3% will also be taken from devolved budgets next year is going to lock thousands out of learning. Last year we were promised real improvements in people's lives, but this government's Plan for Change rhetoric means nothing if they continue to cut from the most vulnerable in our society."
March 19, 2025 at 12:24 PM
Reposted
weachrisbutcher.bsky.social
The English Devolution White Paper will be a missed opportunity if it does not support communities to make the most of proximity to power. WEA's @simonparkinson.bsky.social exploring how adult education and the voluntary sector can make the difference.
#devolution
weaadulted.bsky.social The WEA @weaadulted.bsky.social · Dec 18
"The devolution white paper is an opportunity to put adult learning at the heart of local education plans." Read @simonparkinson.bsky.social on FE Week speaking about the new white paper feweek.co.uk/local-learni...
A new devolution deal must learn from its predecessors
Done wrong, it could result in a poorer offer for adult learners, communities and the economy
feweek.co.uk
December 18, 2024 at 3:34 PM
Reposted
simonparkinson.bsky.social
Thoughts below from @weaadulted.bsky.social on the Get Britain working white paper. Good it is cross Government, place based and acknowledges the importance of essential skills. Need to ensure that tailored learning is also seen as the start of the pathway for many www.wea.org.uk/news-views/n...
WEA thoughts on 'Getting Britain Working' | WEA
WEA's Chief Executive and General Secretary Simon reacts to the policies proposed in the government's 'Getingt Britain Working' White Paper
www.wea.org.uk
November 29, 2024 at 1:43 PM