This is a worrying trend. Government at local and national level, as well as the industry itself, needs to reflect and understand what is happening and why.

Enjoyed my visit to the Panto at the Mercury Theatre Colchester. My first trip since standing down as Chair. The Mercury is a great example of how the arts provide societal value, but arts leaders still fail to describe why arts improve the quality of life #makingthecaseforarts

Grab a coffee and check out Robert West CBI brilliant article: Looking Ahead to the #SpendingReview  | Rob covers everything from the Levy, Level 7, the impact of National Insurance on employers, #EmploymentRightsBill this is brilliant: FE News fenews.co.uk/exclusive/look…

Will the spending review fix the 'fragmented and broken’ skills system? | FE Soundbite 780 | FE News fenews.co.uk/skills/will-th…

One in seven young men are out of work and education. Truly shocking. #Neet

Football under the lights last night as ⁦Brentwood Town F.C.⁩ took another step towards promotion in front of a massive 736 crowd that I was pleased to be part of #excitingtimes #COYB

Great to hear Antony Stuart-Hicks Antony Stuart-Hicks (ASH) won the WhatsOnStage Pantomime Award for BEST DAME this year for The New Adventures of Peter Pan, Mercury Theatre, Colchester. Ash is #simplythebest Note to self: must get tickets for Mother Goose soon!

Gosh. It’s been a while since I directed a play. Fond memories of this which I did Brentwood Theatre for Brentwood Shakespeare Company on this day some time ago #ThrowbackThursday

Time to sort this out. What was it that FE Week called the Levy - a cash cow? Money raised by Treasury through taxing businesses under the guise of skills should be spent on skills. #Unlockthelevy

Looking forward to my trip to Wembley at lunchtime today.

There's still time to join our free Spending Review event on 16 June with our panelists Simon Ashworth, AELP, Stephen Evans, Learning and Work Institute , Ewart Keep, Nick Hillman, Higher Education Policy Institute, Susan Pember 💙, HOLEX and Robert West , CBI. Register here:

Brilliant afternoon watching Bath win the Premiership at Twickenham. Great day!

Honoured to be invited to today’s beautiful celebration of #PhilipHedley Stratford East. The love in the room said it all. Philip’s approach was simple: “Theatre should form a continuous loop with its community… and concoct shows which connect back to that community.”

I’ll be AELP #Conference today as part of a panel this lunchtime asking what employers need from the skills system. If you’re there too come and say Hello! #Skills

This 👇

Different times! Wonder if the now 44 year old Steven still feels the same as when he wrote to Match Weekly in 1981?#ThrowbackThursday #football

Back on the mic Brentwood Town F.C. today for an exciting pre-season friendly v Leyton Orient FC

Taking a few days break up in #Northumberland with its many surprises.

Good luck to everyone getting exam results today! Whether it’s celebration or reflection, it’s also a moment to rethink how we support young people. Let’s ensure no potential talent goes untapped. #ResultsDay

Huge congratulations to everyone getting their GCSE & VTQ results today! You’ve shown real grit and determination through years shaped by the pandemic. The resilience of both students and teachers is incredible. Today is your moment - celebrate it! #gcse2025 #VTQ