Caroline Lucas, the Green Party’s MP for Brighton Pavilion, has warned of a crisis in the further education sector as Government plans for swingeing cuts come into force.

Caroline made her comments at the University and College Union’s #LoveFE lobby in Parliament.  The Skills Funding Agency has estimated that cuts could amount to 24% for non-apprenticeship learning in 2015-16. [1]

Caroline said:

“The Conservatives are now going ahead with a massive 24% cut to the English adult further education budget for 2015/16, once funding for apprenticeships is excluded.

“It’s no exaggeration to say that the very existence of adult education is in jeopardy. Further cuts could lead to the loss of over 400,000 students places this financial year alone.

“For those of us who Love FE, this is a travesty.”

Lucas’ contribution came as a further education college in her own constituency faces budget cuts. City College in Brighton is facing job losses and courses being axed.

Caroline said:

“In common with every single one of the Government’s austerity measures, across the board, it's the most vulnerable that bear the brunt.

“At City College in my constituency, courses for adults with learning disabilities are at risk.

“So too are the services provided by the Intensive Support and Learning Support departments. Both are a vital element in fulfilling the College's safeguarding duties. We cannot let them be removed.

“It’s also the staff at City College who are losing out – teaching and non-teaching. And I want to thank UCU for their campaign to protect City College and other colleges like it.”

UCU general secretary, Sally Hunt, said: ‘For too long, further education has been underfunded and underappreciated. The support for the campaign from across the sector and beyond is testament to how valuable adult learning is for people from all sorts of backgrounds.

‘MPs now need to listen to the concerns of those working and studying in further education and take action to protect the future of the sector. We should be expanding opportunities for people to retrain, not cutting vital resources.’

ENDS

[1] http://fefunding.org.uk/background/

For more information about the #LoveFE campaign visit: http://fefunding.org.uk/

Contact: Matthew Butcher on 07885 459 904