Of course with the A-Levels up for change, questions will be asked about the educational system. As someone who has interviewed and employed people in the past – from many different countries – we are falling behind that there really is a lot to be done to catch up. I know some people don’t like exams and think coursework is a great way to learn. I’m not really convinced. Exams should be designed to test understanding and not raw knowledge. One of the strengths of our system in the past has been the encouragement of lateral thinking. Expanding the mind and developing a selection of skills rather than going for targets, numbers and pass rates to make political capital should be the way forward.
An interesting discussion as to where parental responsibility starts and stops. Parents are being told by their children’s school that if they don’t stop allowing their kids aged 8 and 5 to cycle to school on their own social services may step in. Although many of you don’t really agree with the parents you do think its right for them to make their own decisions. I was amazed when Steve who is a head teacher called in defend the action of the school. I think it’s this interventionist, protectionist, nanny state that has to end. Parents should be in total command of their children and responsible for the decisions they take. Whilst there are some areas where the authorities should step in, this isn’t one of them.
I was also joined by Yolande Barnes, Head of Research at Savills and Justin Urquhart Stewart from Seven Investment Management joined me. They don’t think the property market will crash. Although it will be difficult over the next few years. And whilst interest rates will surely go up at some point, not yet is the received wisdom.
Personally I think we have a very resilient market. Property is one of the few ways in which you can invest tax free and we certainly love our houses and flats! Yolande talked about the east west London property divide and Justin talked about the costs of organising finance and the importance of looking at your own financial position rather than worrying about the headlines.
I’m back on Saturday morning for Breakfast from 7am