David Willetts

In response to the Government’s announcement on employer-based training, Shadow Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills, David Willetts, said:

“This Government has failed before. Why should they do any better this time round? In recent years, the number of young people who are doing nothing – the so-called NEETs – has risen and the number of Advanced Apprenticeships has fallen.”

Commenting on the Office for Fair Access report published today, showing that many universities are falling short of their duties to allocate bursaries.

The level of involvement by universities in the development of new diplomas has been ‘less than desirable’, according to a new report by the 1994 Group of universities. The report criticises the fact that sufficient detail about the five new 14-19 qualifications, which begin in September this year, was not available until late 2007 and says ‘much further work is needed’.

Bill Rammell, Minister for Lifelong Learning, Further and Higher Education, has today announced a partial climb down on funding for second chance (ELQ) students.

Shadow Innovation, Universities and Skills Secretary, David Willetts, said:
“The edifice is beginning to crumble. Ministers are now in retreat.

In a Commons debate called by Conservatives last night, 63 Labour MPs voted against a motion on second chance education identical to an Early Day Motion they signed up to just weeks before.

Conservatives will today put pressure on the Government over Gordon Brown’s decision to cut funding for second chance education. The motion for a debate in the Commons today is exactly the same as a cross-party motion signed by 86 Labour MPs. It expresses concern at the withdrawal of funding from many mature students.

Commenting after the Government revealed that half the colleges for overseas students that have been checked since 2005 have been struck off (124 colleges).

Today the Conservatives welcome the Government’s overdue decision to announce a retreat on their policy on the teaching of English to migrants. The Conservatives have consistently been calling on the Government to put more resources into the teaching of English as the most effective long term aid to community cohesion.