MP calls for more funding for further education

Emma Reynolds, Wolverhampton North East MP, spoke on Tuesday in a debate and said that further education has been overlooked.

In the debate she said: "Everybody is essentially saying the same thing, that further education has been overlooked and needs sustainable, long-term funding."

Ms Reynolds named the City of Wolverhampton College in the debate, and said it was close to her heart as she studied for a Spanish A-level there.

After the debate she added: “It was a pleasure to speak in Parliament in a well-attended debate on Further Education.

"It is clear MPs from across all parties are concerned about FE cuts.

"The IFS say that FE is the ‘biggest loser’ when it comes to education cuts, so it was good to see cross party agreement that the sector needs more funding.

“There are great FE colleges in the Black Country, like City of Wolverhampton College, which provides vital educational opportunities for young people and adults.

"But with per-pupil funding frozen since 2014, and FE lecturers paid less than teachers, we urgently need fair funding.

“If we are serious about social mobility, taking inequality, allowing our young people to flourish, giving people a second chance, raising levels of productivity and competing with countries around the world, we need to fund education, including technical and vocational education, properly.”