Press Release: Fantasy policy from Denham will help no one
Responding to John Denham’s announcement about upskilling, Shadow Innovation, Universities and Skills Secretary, David Willetts said:
“John Denham’s announcement may have grabbed a cheap headline but it doesn’t add up. Under his own ELQ rules, you can’t retrain in a different skill and under the Job Seeker’s Allowance and mortgage support rules, you lose your benefits if you study full-time.
“This is a fantasy policy from a Government that has cut over £100 million a year from anyone going back to study a course or degree if they have studied before. If the Government really wants to help people in the recession, they should allow people to do a new subject that will help them get a new job. Announcing policy like this that doesn’t add up will help no one.”
Notes to Editors
David Willetts today wrote to John Denham to seek further information on the policy. A copy of the letter is attached:
David Willetts writes to John Denham
ENDS