Education, Education, Education?

Yesterday in the Guardian newspaper John Hayes, Conservative Spokesman for Innovation, Universities and Skills, revealed one significant way in which the Government has failed almost totally to achieve its mantra, - in the fairly unglamorous area of further education.

Since 1997 enrolments at FE colleges have plummeted, and there are now almost one million less further education students than when NuLabour came to power. Further, the National Institute of Adult and Continuing Education reports that since 2005 1.4 million adult education places have been lost.

Among the younger age groups, the other side of the coin is the number of young people not in education, employment or training (NEETs). This number has risen by nearly a quarter since 1997.

A callous observer could remark that basket weaving for the elderly, flower arranging or cookery and other similar courses for retired people will probably not make much difference to the national economy, - perhaps why fees on these have risen astronomically, but the loss of classes could make much difference to the participants themselves.

It would be much more difficult to argue that young people sitting about at home on benefit, having given up on education, is not much cause for concern. This is a terrible waste of young lives and a severe loss of dignity.

John Hayes promised that the next Conservative Government will restore spending in these areas, to enrich lives and to help younger people contribute to society. Democracy surely demands nothing less.


Is the real mantra of NuLabour really "Education, Education, Education, despite the massive amounts of our money they have poured into education? Mr. Hayes pointed out that the budget for the Learning and Skills Council has risen to nearly £11 billion, while at the same time the number of people on all LSC funded programmes is falling. Does this sound like something out of "Yes, Minister"?