Press Release: Pressure on Government over second chance education cuts
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.• It will be very damaging to those wanting to study part-time, perhaps to change careers.
• It is a heavy blow to mothers wanting to reskill and return to the labour market.
• It particularly affects institutions like the Open University and Birkbeck.
Speaking ahead of the debate, Shadow Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills, David Willetts said:
“There is cross-party support for the Open University, Birkbeck and other institutions that give people a second chance. It’s bizarre that the Government wants to take £100m from them without consulting anybody beforehand.
“I very much hope that the 86 Labour MPs who have already signed up for this motion will vote for it as well and that the Government is forced to think again.”
Notes to Editors
The text of the motion for today’s Opposition Day Debate is exactly the same as Early Day Motion 317, signed by 211 MPs including 86 Labour MPs:
“That this House is concerned that the Government’s decision to withdraw funding from institutions for equivalent or lower qualification students will have a disproportionate impact on the part-time sector in general and on specific institutions such as Birkbeck and the Open University; and urges the Government to consider ways in which it can minimise the damage this measure will do to lifelong learning and the delivery of the Leitch agenda objectives.”
http://edmi.parliament.uk/edmi/EDMDetails.aspx?EDMID=34435&SESSION=891
Gordon Brown worked as a part-time lecturer and tutor for the Open University after graduating: