UK PM Andy Burnham Unveils Major Schools Reform to Prioritize Technical Education Over University Route

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham is set to announce the largest education overhaul in 15 years, shifting focus away from the traditional university pathway toward technical education. The plan, aimed at addressing a youth unemployment crisis affecting over a million young people, will allow 14-year-olds (Year 10) to combine core academic subjects with technical skills, work experience, and local employer links. Regional mayors, schools, and businesses will collaborate to shape these pathways. Funding will come from an existing £570 million for college places and a £4.7 billion schools funding increase from the 2025 Spending Review. Burnham emphasizes parity between academic and technical routes, stating Britain will 'value the hard hat every bit as much as the graduation cap.' The reform builds on his Greater Manchester MBacc initiative and marks a departure from New Labour's push for 50% university attendance. Reactions are mixed: former minister Alan Milburn calls it a 'big step' but urges a wider system reset, while Tory shadow education secretary Laura Trott criticizes it as insufficient to undo Labour's damage to the job market.