At a glance headlines: March 5, 2015

MPs are calling for evidence as they prepare to quiz the schools minister David Laws about the government’s Priority Schools Building Programme. The session is due to take place on March 18 when MPs on the Education Select Committee will be focusing on the formula used to allocate funding under the programme and the effect that allocation has on schools. Submissions are invited by Monday, March 9. Visit: www.parliament.uk/priority-schools-building-programme

The number of young people, aged 16 to 24, not in education, employment or training (NEET) has fallen by 78,000. Figures for October to December 2014 show that 963,000 young people are considered to be NEET, down from 1,041,000 a year previously. It means a total of 13.2 per cent of young people in the UK are NEET. Dr Mary Bousted, general secretary of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers, said the fall was “positive” but added: “It is difficult to see how this level will be sustained given the cuts planned for the further education and skills sector.”