Latest news with #JohnAllan
Daily Mirror
15-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
Top 20 places British teens want to visit on a school trip - read the full list
A poll of 1,000 pupils in school years 7-13 found 37% say they would like to go abroad for an excursion with classmates, while 23% would prefer to stay on home soil The USA has emerged as the top destination British teenagers are keen to visit on a school trip, with iconic landmarks such as the Statue of Liberty (31%) and Empire State Building (29%) topping their wish list. The survey of 1,000 students from year 7 to 13 revealed that 37% would love to go overseas with their classmates, however, 23% shared they would rather stick to UK-based excursions. The UK came in second, following the USA as the most desired school trip location, beating Italy, France and Spain. The most sought-after sights included Buckingham Palace (25%) and Big Ben (22%). For a third of the youngsters surveyed, an educational trip is their first time away from home, and for 17%, it was their first experience of travelling abroad. This could explain why nearly half of parents believe school trips foster independence in their children. The study, commissioned by PGL Beyond, also found that educational trips offer more than just adventure and travel. A significant 48% of young people claimed that school trips made them feel more independent and mature. Confidence, independence and teamwork were also among the skills children reported gaining the most from school trips. Additionally, a sense of adventure, communication skills and problem-solving abilities also featured on the list. Dr John Allan, head of impact & breakthrough learning at school tours provider, PGL Beyond, said: "At a time when young people seem to be cocooned in virtual worlds, school trips are a vital part of their healthy upbringing, opening up real experiences that deliver personal growth and lifelong impact." 'Authentic challenges at home or abroad enable children to reflect and gain perspective," Dr John adds, "to see beyond the immediacy of their personal experience and to focus on the wider world around them. Importantly, they build the resilience needed for them to adapt to present difficulties and build capacity for their future.' The study also quizzed parents about their own school trips and discovered 41% believe today's school trips are more lavish and thrilling than in their day. For them, their favourite trip memories include sharing a room with classmates (36%), visiting new cities (36%), and participating in activities (35%). Alison Sudbury, chief customer officer at PGL Beyond, added: 'What truly matters for any child, is the confidence gained on a first trip away from home. 'The curiosity sparked in a new city. The friendships built, the comfort zones stretched, and the moments that shape who they become. 'That's why school trips are so instrumental in helping young people to achieve key breakthroughs which can impact their life now and in the future.' TOP 20 PLACES TEENS WANT TO GO ON A SCHOOL TRIP: USA England Italy France Spain Japan Canada Greece Australia Germany Switzerland Scotland Iceland China Wales New Zealand The Netherlands Austria Denmark Singapore
North Wales Live
15-05-2025
- North Wales Live
Top 20 places British teens want to go on a school trip - with the UK making the list
The USA has emerged as the top destination British teenagers wish to visit on a school trip, with iconic landmarks such as the Statue of Liberty (31 per cent) and Empire State Building (29 per cent) being the most sought after sights. A survey of 1,000 pupils from year 7 to 13 revealed that 37 per cent would prefer an overseas excursion with their classmates, while 23 per cent would actually rather stay in the UK. Despite the USA leading the list of desired destinations, the UK secured the second spot ahead of Italy, France and Spain, with attractions like Buckingham Palace (25 per cent) and Big Ben (22 per cent) being the most appealing. For 29 per cent of the youngsters an educational trip was their first experience of staying away from home, and for 17 per cent, it was their first time travelling abroad. This could explain why nearly half of parents believe school trips help their children learn independence. The study, commissioned by PGL Beyond, also discovered that educational trips offer more than just adventure and travel, with 48 per cent of young people claiming these trips make them feel more independent and mature. Parents echo this sentiment, with 47 per cent agreeing that school trips aid their child's independence. Confidence, independence and teamwork are among the skills children have gained the most through school trips. Additionally, a sense of adventure, communication and problem solving also made the list. Dr John Allan, head of impact & breakthrough learning at PGL Beyond, said: "At a time when young people seem to be cocooned in virtual worlds, school trips are a vital part of their healthy upbringing, opening up real experiences that deliver personal growth and lifelong impact "Authentic challenges at home or abroad enable children to reflect and gain perspective – to see beyond the immediacy of their personal experience and to focus on the wider world around them." The study also asked parents about their own school trips and found 41 per cent feel today's school trips are more extravagant and exciting today than in their day. For them, their favourite excursion memories include sharing a room with classmates, visiting new cities, and taking part in activities. Today's school trips are so inspiring three in 10 young people surveyed said they've influenced the subjects they choose to study, with history and geography emerging as the most popular. Alison Sudbury, chief customer officer at PGL Beyond, added: "What truly matters for any child, is the confidence gained on a first trip away from home: the curiosity sparked in a new city, the friendships built, the comfort zones stretched, and the moments that shape who they become. 'That's why school trips are so instrumental in helping young people to achieve key breakthroughs which can impact their life now and in the future.' TOP 20 PLACES TEENS WANT TO GO ON A SCHOOL TRIP: USA England Italy France Spain Japan Canada Greece Australia Germany Switzerland Scotland Iceland China Wales New Zealand The Netherlands Austria Denmark Singapore
Wales Online
15-05-2025
- Wales Online
Top 20 places British teens want to go on a school trip - with the UK making the list
Top 20 places British teens want to go on a school trip - with the UK making the list A poll of 1,000 pupils in school years 7-13 found 37 per cent would like to go abroad for an excursion with classmates, while 23 per cent would prefer to stay on home soil UK-based excursions came second (Image: Getty Images ) The USA has emerged as the top destination British teenagers wish to visit on a school trip, with iconic landmarks such as the Statue of Liberty (31 per cent) and Empire State Building (29 per cent) being the most sought after sights. A survey of 1,000 pupils from year 7 to 13 revealed that 37 per cent would prefer an overseas excursion with their classmates, while 23 per cent would actually rather stay in the UK. Despite the USA leading the list of desired destinations, the UK secured the second spot ahead of Italy, France and Spain, with attractions like Buckingham Palace (25 per cent) and Big Ben (22 per cent) being the most appealing. For 29 per cent of the youngsters an educational trip was their first experience of staying away from home, and for 17 per cent, it was their first time travelling abroad. This could explain why nearly half of parents believe school trips help their children learn independence. Children said they gained confidence and independence on school trips (Image: Getty Images ) The study, commissioned by PGL Beyond, also discovered that educational trips offer more than just adventure and travel, with 48 per cent of young people claiming these trips make them feel more independent and mature. Parents echo this sentiment, with 47 per cent agreeing that school trips aid their child's independence. Article continues below Confidence, independence and teamwork are among the skills children have gained the most through school trips. Additionally, a sense of adventure, communication and problem solving also made the list. History of school trips Dr John Allan, head of impact & breakthrough learning at PGL Beyond, said: "At a time when young people seem to be cocooned in virtual worlds, school trips are a vital part of their healthy upbringing, opening up real experiences that deliver personal growth and lifelong impact "Authentic challenges at home or abroad enable children to reflect and gain perspective – to see beyond the immediacy of their personal experience and to focus on the wider world around them." The study also asked parents about their own school trips and found 41 per cent feel today's school trips are more extravagant and exciting today than in their day. For them, their favourite excursion memories include sharing a room with classmates, visiting new cities, and taking part in activities. Today's school trips are so inspiring three in 10 young people surveyed said they've influenced the subjects they choose to study, with history and geography emerging as the most popular. Alison Sudbury, chief customer officer at PGL Beyond, added: "What truly matters for any child, is the confidence gained on a first trip away from home: the curiosity sparked in a new city, the friendships built, the comfort zones stretched, and the moments that shape who they become. 'That's why school trips are so instrumental in helping young people to achieve key breakthroughs which can impact their life now and in the future.' Article continues below TOP 20 PLACES TEENS WANT TO GO ON A SCHOOL TRIP:
The Independent
25-03-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Should unemployed young people be forced to undertake national service?
Whether a man who's never had to fight anything more lethal than a 'price war' with Lidl is adequately qualified to make such a suggestion is arguable. Still, John Allan, ex-boss of Tesco has been bold enough to say that unemployed young people should be made to undertake military training in return for social security payments. It is, of course, not the first time that someone in no danger of conscription has casually called for the younger generation to be put in the army to sort them out. What's wrong with stacking shelves? Nothing, and you run only a small risk of a shrapnel wound, but Allan has grander things in mind for the people known, somewhat disrespectfully, as 'Neets', ie 18- to 24-year-olds who are not in education, employment or training. There are some 950,000 registered, and they'd make quite a difference to the currently understrength British army of 73,847 at the last count, even if only as a reserve. Allan says: 'We could reintroduce military training for people who are not working. That would be a way of actually helping us with, you know, stepping up our defence capability as well, which is another important issue." He also offers up as an alternative 'municipal work', which may be a euphemism for street cleaning. Would it work? Yes, in principle. There's no doubt Allan has a point when he argues that there is ' no reason to believe ' those not in education, employment, or training 'are any less prepared to work, provided they're given the opportunities ... I think getting people into the habit of getting out of bed in the morning, going and doing some useful work is very habit-forming once people have done it for a while.' What are the problems? Not everyone is cut out for the forces, and the element of coercion erodes the spirit of a voluntary service motivated principally by patriotism and prepared to make sacrifices. Granted, he's not suggesting sending them into combat, but there is some element of jeopardy for the individuals if they end up in an informal reserve or territorial group. The other problem is cost – training, accommodation, equipment, the time devoted by officers to the scheme would all have to be paid for out of the defence budget – with no guarantee that what the US defence secretary calls 'warfighters' will emerge at the end of their semi-involuntary pupation. Could it happen? The prospect of more wars in Europe has certainly concentrated minds, and with the UK's military strength having been hollowed out and America abandoning Europe, things will need to change. At the general election, Rishi Sunak suggested 'modern national service ', military or civilian: 'As is the case in other countries, we will provide a stipend to help with living costs for those doing the military element alongside their training.' More promisingly, Liz Kendall also seemed to welcome the idea of matching unemployed youth with understaffed armed forces when she announced her welfare reforms last week. Asked by Tory backbencher Mark Pritchard if she agreed 'that one way of attracting some people back into work would be to get more young people into His Majesty's armed forces – the air force, the navy and the army – and will she discuss that with the defence secretary?' Reeves eagerly said she did, 'absolutely': 'Indeed, before I was appointed to this position, as a constituency MP in opposition I discussed with my local jobcentre and the armed forces recruitment team precisely these issues, because the exciting careers and opportunities that are available are really important for young people in my constituency and the right honourable gentleman's. I will certainly have more conversations with colleagues in the Ministry of Defence to make sure we put this plan into action.' So there's a rare political consensus? It is quietly emerging that squaddies and sailors must be found somewhere. The profile of the armed forces in national life has declined markedly since the end of the Cold War, but that may be about to change, given that growing political will, born of imminent necessity, to contemplate dispatching troops to Ukraine and elsewhere, not so much to fight a war but to deter aggression and avoid one.
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Young people ‘should do National Service or lose benefits'
Young unemployed people should be forced to enrol in National Service or face losing their benefits, the former chairman of Tesco has said. John Allan said the Government should exercise a 'bit of coercion' to get young people into the workforce as the number of people aged between 16 and 24 who are not in education, employment or training (Neet) soars. Mr Allan, who was also served as the chairman of Barratt Developments, one of Britain's biggest homebuilders, told Times Radio that Neets should be pushed to do military training or municipal work. Mr Allan said: 'You could make some benefit payments conditional, particularly in that age group on people really seeking work. 'You could find work for people to do municipal work. 'I think getting people into the habit of getting out of bed in the morning, going and doing some useful work is very habit-forming once people have done it for a while. 'Or we could reintroduce military training for people who are not working. That would be a way of actually helping us with, you know, stepping up our defence capability as well, which is another important issue.' It comes as Liz Kendall, the Work and Pensions Secretary, has drawn up plans to save £5bn from a benefits crackdown as the Chancellor scrambles to balance the books in her Spring Statement on Wednesday. The number of 16 to 24-year-olds who are classed at Neets has surged by nearly a quarter since the pandemic began and now totals nearly 1m – the highest level since records began in 2013. However, Mr Allan said the older generation's negative view of younger people and their work ethic was 'misjudged'. He added: 'I think there's no reason to believe that the generation that are currently in that sort of Neets group are any less prepared to work, provided they're given the training and given the opportunities. 'And perhaps given not just a bit of encouragement, but a bit of coercion to actually get started.' Mr Allan also called for 'urgent, accelerated training programmes' to help tackle a worker shortage in the construction industry as the Government presses ahead with its manifesto pledge to build 1.5m homes over this parliament. He said: 'The Government are committed to building 1.5m homes ... The next challenge will be finding the people to actually build the houses. 'The Polish plumbers are not coming back. They're doing very nicely in Poland at the moment. We need to train our own.' Mr Allan stepped down from his role at Tesco after eight years as chairman in 2023, following allegations over his behaviour towards women. Mr Allan strongly denied three of the four misconduct claims against him. There are more than 35,000 vacancies in the construction sector, according to official figures. More than half cannot be filled because applicants do not have the necessary skills – the highest rate of any sector. Rachel Reeves announced £600m in new investment on Sunday to train up to 60,000 new skilled construction workers by 2029. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
