Today I asked the government to get a grip of funding for our further education sector. Since 2013 the funding rate for sixth form students that has been frozen at £4,000 per student, per year since 2013. If the rate of funding was increased as proposed by the raise the rate campaign it would give a massive boost to student support services to the required level, protect minority subjects such as languages that are at risk of being dropped, and increase extra-curricular activities, work experience opportunities and university visits.
We need to make sure our education system is giving young people the skills and opportunities they need to succeed. It’s simply not fair that young people in Stoke-on-Trent are missing out. It’s clear though from the Minister’s answer – that they don’t understand the true crisis that is happening in FE.