MP Launches Commons Debate on Adult Education

11.43.07am UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 23rd Jun 2005

The future of adult education was the subject of a major debated introduced by Vincent Cable MP in Parliament this week. He was joined by a delegation of Richmond Adult College students outside Parliament before the debate took place. Following Vincent Cable, a succession of MPs warned that across the country there would be cuts in courses and a big increase in fees, in the new academic year, deterring many adult students. The Government plans a cut of 3% in cash for adult education this year and a cut 8% below what is necessary to maintain services. The Association of colleges believes that 300,000 students, 10% of the total, will drop out.

Vincent Cable said: "I was able to put forward our local adult college as an excellent example of what a good college can achieve, not just providing good quality education but helping people with learning disadvantages and providing a sense of community for people who are socially isolated. The problem is going to be that not too many local residents want to sit Skill Level 2 courses which the Government is providing free (even for people happy to pay). They want either more advanced or alternatively less exam-based courses, often unrelated to the Government's skill agenda. The danger now is that there will be a big increase in fees which many students will be unwilling or unable to pay, leading to a fall in enrolment - however excellent the courses."