Watch: NS and NEON webinar on higher education participation and economic growth

Emma Hardy MP, Wes Streeting MP, Professor Peter John, and Dr Graeme Atherton discuss the relationship between higher education and social mobility.

By NS Events

BEIJING, CHINA - JULY 18: (CHINA OUT) Students graduate during a ceremony held for 3,768 master and 898 doctorates being given out at the Tsinghua University on July 18, 2007 in Beijing, China. China faces a major challenge in meeting its goal of creating nine million jobs this year, according to Tian Chengping, Minister of Labour and Social Security. Approximately five million college graduates, the largest number in history, will enter the job market this year, in addition to surplus rural labourers swarming into cities for work. (Photo by China Photos/Getty Images)

The education of a national workforce is a major factor in determining how well a country’s economy will perform. Higher education is one of the key drivers of growth performance, prosperity and competitiveness in national economies. Given these benefits, it is essential that all groups have fair access to higher education. How can policy effectively ensure the widening of participation and what, if any, policy changes are required?

On 24 September, the New Statesman virtually convened its annual conference during Labour week, with a series of panel events, interviews and guest speeches from some of the Labour party’s most senior members, as well as business leaders and experts. An online panel discussion and live Q&A, sponsored by NEON, explored these key issues. The panel, chaired by NS special projects editor Alona Ferber, brought together Emma Hardy MP, Wes Streeting MP, University of West London vice chancellor Professor Peter John, NUS president Larissa Kennedy and NEON director Dr Graeme Atherton to discuss how increasing participation in higher education can achieve social mobility and economic growth.

Watch the session back here:

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