Toby Perkins backs college request to increase investment in further education
Toby Perkins MP visited Chesterfield College today and pledged his support for a call to the Chancellor of the Exchequer to increase investment in further education when he makes his Autumn Statement on 23rd November.
As a member of the Association of Colleges, Chesterfield College has joined other further education providers from across the country urging the Government to ensure the provision of high quality technical and professional education and training can continue to meet local needs.
At a time when student numbers are rising but funding is forecast to fall, the Association of Colleges is urging for spending on education and training to increase from 4.5% to 5% of GDP. They point out this will help to train more teachers in maths, engineering, and health and care, for example. Publicly-funded further education and sixth form colleges are also currently subject to VAT. They believe that on the day that the UK leaves the EU, this must stop.
Stuart Cutforth, Principal of Chesterfield College highlighted the crucial role the college plays in making sure local businesses can recruit employees from Chesterfield and North East Derbyshire with the skills they need at the same time as improving the life chances of local residents. He said:-
“Colleges are at the forefront of providing a skilled workforce as well as inspiring futures and changing the lives of the students who we work with. Without investment in further education our ability to do that will be seriously compromised and local people will be seriously disadvantaged.
“I want to see this college, where I was inspired to follow the career path I love, to carry on making a difference to people and businesses in the area for many more years. That is why we are asking the Chancellor to consider how crucial his decisions are to current and future students.”
Toby Perkins MP said:-
“Britain’s future depends on improving productivity, where we lag behind our competitors. This needs a skilled workforce and investment in infrastructure.
“Colleges are crucial in providing the skills Britain needs but Further Education has borne the brunt of huge cuts.
“I hope the Chancellor will listen to this plea for the shot in the arm Chesterfield College needs.”
