Further cuts to Further Education colleges

This week I was pleased to meet college staff and students who were protesting at 24 per cent cuts to adult Further Education colleges.

We talked about the value of FE in transforming lives of those who did not get chance at education first time round.

Hackney has great poverty but no poverty of ambition – FE helps people gain the qualifications to meet that ambition. A cut in FE hits the poorest hardest.

I have called for long term sustainable funding for FE so teachers and lecturers can be in more stable jobs which helps students. And ESOL is of vital importance, particularly for women who don't speak English.

I am supporting their petition which calls on the Prime Minister to reverse the 24% cuts that they feel will devastate adult education in Britain. It is shocking that a million learners have been lost in the last five years. This must be halted and investment made.

It is a very short-sighted Government which cuts Further Education for those who need it most.