MP Gerald Kaufman famously labelled the 1983 Labour General Election Manifesto "The longest suicide note in history."
The 39-page booklet advocated for unilateral nuclear disarmament, increased personal taxation, withdrawal from the European Economic Community (yes, the Labour Party wanted out first), abolition of the House of Lords, and the re-nationalisation of British Aerospace and Shipbuilding.
At 136 pages, the Labour Party’s 2024 manifesto is an even longer note.
But perhaps it’s more of a “longest note of caution in history"?
For a document entitled "Change", the manifesto isn't that radical (at least by the standards of a party founded to achieve, you know, Change).
Keir Starmer and colleagues are keen to avoid the kinds of mistakes of 1983 (and election campaigns since). Labour's fundamental pitch is that they will end incompetence and chaos. Of course, some might argue that that is a significant change.
However, from a fiscal standpoint, Labour's position is not so dissimilar to that of the Conservatives. Labour will not collect more taxes, except for a windfall tax on oil and gas ‘giants’, VAT on private school fees, closing some tax loopholes and getting wealthy "non-doms" to pay more stamp duty. According to the manifesto, total tax revenue will rise by less than 1.5%.
Eager to present itself as a financially responsible party, Labour will not make spending pledges that significantly exceed the additional tax they will collect.
However, twenty-two manifesto policies necessitate extra cash beyond previous spending levels. These include more NHS procedures, teachers, primary school breakfast clubs, and planning officers (to speed up development). The clear implication is that if it costs more money and it’s not one of twenty-two, then it's not happening. So, what news is there for MabelSpace’s clients, our nation’s Educators and their physical estates?
Last year, the National Audit Office reported that many of England's schools are in poor condition and, in some cases, potentially unsafe (this was before the RAAC crisis in the autumn). The report indicated that England’s modestly scaled school repair and renewal program meant that things were deteriorating faster than they were being fixed. The NAO also noted that future spending plans appeared too small to address the problem.
So, what does the 25,606-word Manifesto say about England's (or any other UK nation's) school buildings?
The Labour Party's manifesto does not mention school buildings.
There is a pledge for an additional 3,000 nurseries "through upgrading space in primary schools", but that's it. We should clarify that the manifesto mentions the word "school" 42 times and contains some positive ideas. However, there is no reference to addressing an issue that, based on its current trajectory, could develop into a source of national shame.
So, will any funds be reserved for FE College’s estate improvements?
The manifesto does not mention help for FE College buildings.
Of course, HE institutions almost always self-fund their estate improvements. However, given the increasingly dangerous state of some universities' finances, many projects will be on hold. So, what does the Labour Party say about these financial problems?
“The current higher education funding settlement does not work for the taxpayer, universities, staff, or students. Labour will act to create a secure future for higher education and the opportunities it creates across the UK.”
That’s about it; there certainly is no mention of funding. We must wait to learn the specifics of the government's plan.
There is much talk of education and skills training, including transforming Further Education Colleges into specialist “Technical Excellence Colleges”. There will be Local Growth Plans. Labour will establish “Skills England” to bring together business, training providers, and unions with national and local government to ensure we have the highly trained workforce we need. In this regard, the Apprenticeships Levy will also be reformed.
It all sounds good, but the devil will be in the details.
There is also hopeful news for the construction industry: a proposed planning system reform to support more housing and create employment places (advanced manufacturing, etc.). This reform could attract more investment and provide much-needed homes and employment opportunities if executed effectively.
However, it seems that, for this parliamentary term, investment in educational facilities for our young people will be limited, at least until the UK's economy and public finances improve.
Now, Starmer and colleagues lead the UK at a difficult time, and all our futures are tied to this government's actions. Good Luck, Sir Keir and Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson, but watch out for those crumbling schools!
PS: So long Gillian Keegan, you did an okay job (if not a f*****g good one).