Latest news with #Saxton
STV News
4 days ago
- Politics
- STV News
Councillor who accused rival of taking bribe didn't breach code of conduct
A South Ayrshire councillor who accused his political rival of taking a bribe did not breach the code of conduct, the Standards Commission has ruled. Alba councillor Chris Cullen has maintained that the comments were 'unacceptable' and warned about the impact the ruling could have. The comments were made after Labour councillor Philip Saxton was ousted as chair of the Service and Partnerships Performance Panel in December 2024. The Conservative-led administration voted to replace him with Cullen. At a council meeting, Saxton later said: 'I would, however, advise Cllr Cullen, the deal you have reached to get the position comes at a price.' Cullen said the remark implied he had accepted a bribe or engaged in other unethical behaviour to secure the role, and he complained to the Ethical Standards Commissioner (ESC). Saxton denied the allegation, saying his words referred to a political arrangement rather than anything improper. The ESC supported Saxton's claim, saying his defence was supported by other comments he had made during the meeting. The report said: 'It was evident [Saxton] was simply referring to a political deal between the complainer and a political group. 'The ESC noted such a deal was legitimate and not unusual in politics. As such, any criticisms levelled by the respondent for accepting such a deal would not amount to disrespect under the code.' The case was referred to the Standards Commission for Scotland in July, it agreed with the ESC that Saxton's conduct did not breach the Code. No formal action will be taken. Cullen has maintained that Saxton's comments were 'unacceptable' and warned about the impact the ruling could have. He told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: 'I am deeply disappointed that the Standards Commission has chosen to take no further action in this matter. 'What we have here is a clear example of unacceptable behaviour in a public meeting – the kind of insinuations and character assassination that drive decent people away from politics altogether. 'When an elected representative can imply, in front of colleagues, the public, and the press, that another councillor has acted unethically or corruptly, without consequence, it sends a grim message about the standards we're willing to tolerate. 'Public life should be built on respect, integrity, and truth. If we allow underhand comments, veiled accusations, and personal smears to pass unchecked, we normalise a culture where winning political points matters more than honesty and decency. 'It's no wonder so many good people refuse to put themselves forward for public office when they see that this kind of conduct is swept aside as 'politics as usual'. 'If we want healthier debate, more diverse voices, and higher public trust, we have to draw a firm line against personal attacks and deliberate attempts to undermine colleagues' reputations. 'I will continue to speak out against such behaviour, because the public and our democracy deserve better.' However, Saxton said that the matter should never have been brought to the commission. 'I think councillors should consider seriously before putting complaints to the Standards Commission about petty personal quotes from other members,' Saxton said. 'It takes up precious time and costs. 'In this particular case, I think Cllr Cullen complained in principle as he was not happy with the suggestion that a deal with the Conservative administration for a particular post with a good additional salary was free from any deal is naive in all senses of the word.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Daily Record
5 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Record
Claim that South Ayrshire councillor made 'deal' to get role didn't breach rules
Standards Commission accepts that Labour Councillor Philip Saxton made comment about a political deal. A South Ayrshire councillor who was accused of suggesting that a colleague had accepted a bribe to secure a coveted council position did not breach the councillors' code of conduct. Labour councillor Philip Saxton was ousted as chair of the Service and Partnerships Performance Panel in December 2024, with the Conservative-led administration voting to replace him with Alba councillor Chris Cullen. Councillor Saxton commented at the meeting of the council that 'I would, however, advise Cllr Cullen the deal you have reached to get the position comes at a price.' Since then Councillor Cullen has been promoted to the cabinet while Councillor Saxton has returned to his role as chair. Cllr Cullen complained to the Ethical Standards Commissioner (ESC) in March this year, alleging the remark implied he had accepted a bribe or engaged in other unethical behaviour to secure the role. Cllr Saxton denied the allegation, saying his words referred to a political arrangement rather than anything improper. A Standards Commission report stated: 'The complaint concerned an allegation that, at a Council meeting in December 2024, the respondent was disrespectful towards the complainer (another elected member). It stated that Councillor Cullen believed that Cllr Saxton had suggested he had accepted a bribe or had taken some other unethical or inappropriate action in order to obtain the position. However, Cllr Saxton told the ESC that the 'deal' to which he had referred was one of a political nature, and that the reference to 'price' was to the political price of making such a deal. The ESC backed his claim, saying it was supported by other comments he had made during the meeting. The report said: 'He had concluded, therefore, that it was evident the respondent was simply referring to a political deal between the complainer and a political group. 'The ESC noted such a deal was legitimate and not unusual in politics. As such, any criticisms levelled by the respondent for accepting such a deal would not amount to disrespect under the code.' The case was referred to the Standards Commission for Scotland in July, but after reviewing the findings, the Commission decided it was neither proportionate nor in the public interest to hold a hearing. It agreed with the ESC that Cllr Saxton's conduct did not breach the Code and formally took no further action. Cllr Cullen has maintained that Cllr Saxton's comments were 'unacceptable' and warned about the impact the ruling could have. He told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: 'I am deeply disappointed that the Standards Commission has chosen to take no further action in this matter. 'What we have here is a clear example of unacceptable behaviour in a public meeting – the kind of insinuations and character assassination that drive decent people away from politics altogether. 'When an elected representative can imply, in front of colleagues, the public, and the press, that another councillor has acted unethically or corruptly, without consequence, it sends a grim message about the standards we're willing to tolerate. 'Public life should be built on respect, integrity, and truth. If we allow underhand comments, veiled accusations, and personal smears to pass unchecked, we normalise a culture where winning political points matters more than honesty and decency. 'It's no wonder so many good people refuse to put themselves forward for public office when they see that this kind of conduct is swept aside as 'politics as usual'. 'If we want healthier debate, more diverse voices, and higher public trust, we have to draw a firm line against personal attacks and deliberate attempts to undermine colleagues' reputations. 'I will continue to speak out against such behaviour, because the public and our democracy deserve better.' However, Cllr Saxton said that the matter should never have been brought to the commission. He said: 'I think councillors should consider seriously before putting complaints to the Standards Commission about petty personal quotes from other members. 'It takes up precious time and costs. 'In this particular case I think Cllr Cullen complained in principle as he was not happy with the suggestion that a deal with the Conservative administration for a particular post with a good additional salary was free from any deal is naive in all senses of the word.'
Powys County Times
7 days ago
- General
- Powys County Times
Students will want universities to ‘understand context' over grades
School and college leavers will want universities to 'respect and understand' that they faced a 'significant' programme to deflate their GCSE grades following Covid-19, the Ucas chief has said. Jo Saxton, chief executive of the university admissions service, suggested that fewer students who are receiving their post-16 qualification results this summer met the entry requirements for A-level courses two years ago when grading was returned to pre-pandemic levels in England. Dr Saxton, who was chief regulator of England's exams regulator Ofqual from 2021 until 2023, has suggested that there could be 'higher' attainment across this year's A-level cohort as a result. Her comments come as students in England, Wales and Northern Ireland will receive their A-level and Level 3 BTec results on Thursday, with many finding out if they have secured a university place. Last year, more than a quarter (27.8%) of UK A-level entries were awarded an A or A* grade, up from 27.2% in 2023. It was the highest proportion of entries scoring top grades outside the pandemic-affected years of 2020-22. In 2019 – the last year that summer exams were taken before the pandemic – 25.4% of entries were awarded A or A* grades. The Covid-19 pandemic led to an increase in top A-level and GCSE grades in 2020 and 2021, with results based on teacher assessments instead of exams. Professor Alan Smithers, director of the Centre for Education and Employment Research at the University of Buckingham, has suggested that a higher percentage of UK A-level entries awarded top grades – compared with before the pandemic – could become the 'new normal' this summer. During a webinar hosted by the Higher Education Policy Institute think tank, Dr Saxton said: 'This cohort are the first to sit their Level 3 qualifications where they had the pre-pandemic standard reinstated on their GCSEs. 'I think that's just such an important backdrop for this whole cycle, just remembering this is that cohort, that there was a significant national programme to deflate their grades.' Dr Saxton, who was in charge at Ofqual when A-level and GCSE exams were reinstated in England following the pandemic, said she 'lost a lot of sleep' over the action to tackle grade inflation. But she suggested that teenagers told her that they wanted their exams back and they wanted their results to 'carry value'. Dr Saxton said: 'I think they will really be looking to those universities to respect and understand the context in which they've come through.' She said the return to pre-pandemic grading in 2023 meant 'fewer students than in recent years actually met the entry criteria that most schools and colleges would set for progression into A-level subjects'. Provisional exam entries data for England shows that A-level entries decreased by 0.4% from 825,355 last summer to 821,875 this summer, despite a 3.8% increase in the size of the 18-year-old population. Speaking just a few days before students receive their exam results, Dr Saxton added: 'It probably means that there's fractionally higher prior attainment across the cohort. This is me speculating as a former chief regulator.' Dr Saxton said clearing is no longer perceived as a 'bargain basement' for those who are not successful on A-level results day. Clearing is available to students who do not meet the conditions of their offer on A-level results day, as well as those who did not receive any offers. But prospective students who have changed their mind about what or where they wish to study, and also those who have applied outside the normal application window, can also use clearing. On Tuesday, the Ucas chief said: 'Clearing maybe was perceived as a bargain basement – it was for the people who had been unsuccessful. 'But that is definitely not how current applicants perceive it. 'For current applicants it's the mechanism by which they change their mind.' Nearly 22,700 courses with vacancies for undergraduate students living in England were available on the Ucas clearing site as of Wednesday last week – eight days before results day, a PA news agency analysis showed. A sample of 129 of the UK's largest higher education providers showed 17 of the 24 elite Russell Group universities had more than 3,600 courses with vacancies for English residents on clearing. Dr Saxton added: 'It is about students trusting their instincts and going back to their curated playlists, the favourites that they researched, that they've probably visited. 'They're not blindfolded throwing a dart at a dartboard.' Earlier this week, the Education Secretary said 'far too many young' white working-class British students do not get the exam results that they need to allow them to continue on to university. Bridget Phillipson told PA that the Post-16 White Paper and the Schools White Paper, which are both due in the autumn, will focus on turning around these 'thorny and generational challenges'. Dr Saxton said she would like the Government to look at regional disparities in access to and participation in higher education – such as the 'London advantage'. She said: 'More people in all parts of the country should get to benefit from higher education.'
Rhyl Journal
7 days ago
- General
- Rhyl Journal
Students will want universities to ‘understand context' over grades
Jo Saxton, chief executive of the university admissions service, suggested that fewer students who are receiving their post-16 qualification results this summer met the entry requirements for A-level courses two years ago when grading was returned to pre-pandemic levels in England. Dr Saxton, who was chief regulator of England's exams regulator Ofqual from 2021 until 2023, has suggested that there could be 'higher' attainment across this year's A-level cohort as a result. Her comments come as students in England, Wales and Northern Ireland will receive their A-level and Level 3 BTec results on Thursday, with many finding out if they have secured a university place. Last year, more than a quarter (27.8%) of UK A-level entries were awarded an A or A* grade, up from 27.2% in 2023. It was the highest proportion of entries scoring top grades outside the pandemic-affected years of 2020-22. In 2019 – the last year that summer exams were taken before the pandemic – 25.4% of entries were awarded A or A* grades. The Covid-19 pandemic led to an increase in top A-level and GCSE grades in 2020 and 2021, with results based on teacher assessments instead of exams. Professor Alan Smithers, director of the Centre for Education and Employment Research at the University of Buckingham, has suggested that a higher percentage of UK A-level entries awarded top grades – compared with before the pandemic – could become the 'new normal' this summer. During a webinar hosted by the Higher Education Policy Institute think tank, Dr Saxton said: 'This cohort are the first to sit their Level 3 qualifications where they had the pre-pandemic standard reinstated on their GCSEs. 'I think that's just such an important backdrop for this whole cycle, just remembering this is that cohort, that there was a significant national programme to deflate their grades.' Dr Saxton, who was in charge at Ofqual when A-level and GCSE exams were reinstated in England following the pandemic, said she 'lost a lot of sleep' over the action to tackle grade inflation. But she suggested that teenagers told her that they wanted their exams back and they wanted their results to 'carry value'. Dr Saxton said: 'I think they will really be looking to those universities to respect and understand the context in which they've come through.' She said the return to pre-pandemic grading in 2023 meant 'fewer students than in recent years actually met the entry criteria that most schools and colleges would set for progression into A-level subjects'. Provisional exam entries data for England shows that A-level entries decreased by 0.4% from 825,355 last summer to 821,875 this summer, despite a 3.8% increase in the size of the 18-year-old population. Speaking just a few days before students receive their exam results, Dr Saxton added: 'It probably means that there's fractionally higher prior attainment across the cohort. This is me speculating as a former chief regulator.' Dr Saxton said clearing is no longer perceived as a 'bargain basement' for those who are not successful on A-level results day. Clearing is available to students who do not meet the conditions of their offer on A-level results day, as well as those who did not receive any offers. But prospective students who have changed their mind about what or where they wish to study, and also those who have applied outside the normal application window, can also use clearing. On Tuesday, the Ucas chief said: 'Clearing maybe was perceived as a bargain basement – it was for the people who had been unsuccessful. 'But that is definitely not how current applicants perceive it. 'For current applicants it's the mechanism by which they change their mind.' Nearly 22,700 courses with vacancies for undergraduate students living in England were available on the Ucas clearing site as of Wednesday last week – eight days before results day, a PA news agency analysis showed. A sample of 129 of the UK's largest higher education providers showed 17 of the 24 elite Russell Group universities had more than 3,600 courses with vacancies for English residents on clearing. Dr Saxton added: 'It is about students trusting their instincts and going back to their curated playlists, the favourites that they researched, that they've probably visited. 'They're not blindfolded throwing a dart at a dartboard.' Earlier this week, the Education Secretary said 'far too many young' white working-class British students do not get the exam results that they need to allow them to continue on to university. Bridget Phillipson told PA that the Post-16 White Paper and the Schools White Paper, which are both due in the autumn, will focus on turning around these 'thorny and generational challenges'. Dr Saxton said she would like the Government to look at regional disparities in access to and participation in higher education – such as the 'London advantage'. She said: 'More people in all parts of the country should get to benefit from higher education.'
Glasgow Times
7 days ago
- General
- Glasgow Times
Students will want universities to ‘understand context' over grades
Jo Saxton, chief executive of the university admissions service, suggested that fewer students who are receiving their post-16 qualification results this summer met the entry requirements for A-level courses two years ago when grading was returned to pre-pandemic levels in England. Dr Saxton, who was chief regulator of England's exams regulator Ofqual from 2021 until 2023, has suggested that there could be 'higher' attainment across this year's A-level cohort as a result. Her comments come as students in England, Wales and Northern Ireland will receive their A-level and Level 3 BTec results on Thursday, with many finding out if they have secured a university place. Last year, more than a quarter (27.8%) of UK A-level entries were awarded an A or A* grade, up from 27.2% in 2023. It was the highest proportion of entries scoring top grades outside the pandemic-affected years of 2020-22. In 2019 – the last year that summer exams were taken before the pandemic – 25.4% of entries were awarded A or A* grades. The Covid-19 pandemic led to an increase in top A-level and GCSE grades in 2020 and 2021, with results based on teacher assessments instead of exams. Professor Alan Smithers, director of the Centre for Education and Employment Research at the University of Buckingham, has suggested that a higher percentage of UK A-level entries awarded top grades – compared with before the pandemic – could become the 'new normal' this summer. During a webinar hosted by the Higher Education Policy Institute think tank, Dr Saxton said: 'This cohort are the first to sit their Level 3 qualifications where they had the pre-pandemic standard reinstated on their GCSEs. 'I think that's just such an important backdrop for this whole cycle, just remembering this is that cohort, that there was a significant national programme to deflate their grades.' Dr Saxton, who was in charge at Ofqual when A-level and GCSE exams were reinstated in England following the pandemic, said she 'lost a lot of sleep' over the action to tackle grade inflation. But she suggested that teenagers told her that they wanted their exams back and they wanted their results to 'carry value'. Dr Saxton said: 'I think they will really be looking to those universities to respect and understand the context in which they've come through.' She said the return to pre-pandemic grading in 2023 meant 'fewer students than in recent years actually met the entry criteria that most schools and colleges would set for progression into A-level subjects'. Provisional exam entries data for England shows that A-level entries decreased by 0.4% from 825,355 last summer to 821,875 this summer, despite a 3.8% increase in the size of the 18-year-old population. Speaking just a few days before students receive their exam results, Dr Saxton added: 'It probably means that there's fractionally higher prior attainment across the cohort. This is me speculating as a former chief regulator.' Dr Saxton said clearing is no longer perceived as a 'bargain basement' for those who are not successful on A-level results day. Clearing is available to students who do not meet the conditions of their offer on A-level results day, as well as those who did not receive any offers. But prospective students who have changed their mind about what or where they wish to study, and also those who have applied outside the normal application window, can also use clearing. On Tuesday, the Ucas chief said: 'Clearing maybe was perceived as a bargain basement – it was for the people who had been unsuccessful. 'But that is definitely not how current applicants perceive it. 'For current applicants it's the mechanism by which they change their mind.' Nearly 22,700 courses with vacancies for undergraduate students living in England were available on the Ucas clearing site as of Wednesday last week – eight days before results day, a PA news agency analysis showed. A sample of 129 of the UK's largest higher education providers showed 17 of the 24 elite Russell Group universities had more than 3,600 courses with vacancies for English residents on clearing. Dr Saxton added: 'It is about students trusting their instincts and going back to their curated playlists, the favourites that they researched, that they've probably visited. 'They're not blindfolded throwing a dart at a dartboard.' Earlier this week, the Education Secretary said 'far too many young' white working-class British students do not get the exam results that they need to allow them to continue on to university. Bridget Phillipson told PA that the Post-16 White Paper and the Schools White Paper, which are both due in the autumn, will focus on turning around these 'thorny and generational challenges'. Dr Saxton said she would like the Government to look at regional disparities in access to and participation in higher education – such as the 'London advantage'. She said: 'More people in all parts of the country should get to benefit from higher education.'
