Editing Conservative Party (UK) (section)

==== Education and research ====
In education, the Conservatives pledged to review the [[National Curriculum]], introduce the English Baccalaureate, and reform [[GCSE]], [[A-level]], other national qualifications, apprenticeships and training.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Apprenticeship Expansion in England |url=https://www.americanprogress.org/article/apprenticeship-expansion-in-england/ |website=Center for American Progress Action Fund}}</ref> The restoration of discipline was also highlighted, as they want it to be easier for pupils to be searched for contraband items, the granting of anonymity to teachers accused by pupils, and the banning of expelled pupils being returned to schools via appeal panels.

In higher education, the Conservatives have increased tuition fees to £9,250 per year, however have ensured that this will not be paid by anyone until they are earning over £25,000. The Scottish Conservatives also support the re-introduction of tuition fees in Scotland. In 2016 the Conservative government extended student loan access in England to postgraduate students to help improve access to education.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.ft.com/content/3fb9b3b8-eb8b-11e5-bb79-2303682345c8 |title=Student loans extended to postgraduates in Budget |work=FT.com |date=16 March 2016 |access-date=4 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170227150151/https://www.ft.com/content/3fb9b3b8-eb8b-11e5-bb79-2303682345c8 |archive-date=27 February 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Within the EU, the UK was one of the largest recipients of research funding in the [[European Union]], receiving £7 billion between 2007 and 2015, which is invested in universities and research-intensive businesses.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://royalsociety.org/topics-policy/projects/uk-research-and-european-union/role-of-EU-in-funding-UK-research/how-much-funding-does-uk-get-in-comparison-with-other-countries/|title=How much research funding does the UK get from the EU and how does this compare with other countries?|work=RoyalSociety.org|access-date=4 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170627152354/https://royalsociety.org/topics-policy/projects/uk-research-and-european-union/role-of-EU-in-funding-UK-research/how-much-funding-does-uk-get-in-comparison-with-other-countries/|archive-date=27 June 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Following the vote to leave the EU, Prime Minister [[Theresa May]] guaranteed that the Conservative government would protect funding for existing research and development projects in the UK.<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://www.nature.com/news/uk-government-gives-brexit-science-funding-guarantee-1.20434|title=UK government gives Brexit science funding guarantee|first=Daniel|last=Cressey|journal=Nature|access-date=4 April 2017|doi=10.1038/nature.2016.20434|year=2016|s2cid=168424106|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170402023208/http://www.nature.com/news/uk-government-gives-brexit-science-funding-guarantee-1.20434|archive-date=2 April 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2017, the Conservatives introduced the [[T Level]] qualification aimed at improving the teaching and administration of technical education.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/education-secretary-announces-first-new-t-levels |title=&#91;Withdrawn&#93; Education Secretary announces first new T Levels |date=15 October 2018 |access-date=8 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200708064417/https://www.gov.uk/government/news/education-secretary-announces-first-new-t-levels |archive-date=8 July 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>