Lib Dems Fight Further Education Cuts

2.59.23pm UTC (GMT +0000) Sat 5th Jan 2008

Students studying for a second qualification may be disadvantaged by cuts in funding

As a new term starts for our centres of further education, local Liberal Democrats say Government plans to cut funding for those studying for a second qualification will impact on Cambridge Regional College and the Open University.

The Open University alone reckons that it is going to lose 29,000 of its 120,000 students as a result of the changes.

Lib Dems say the plan disadvantages those over 25 who want to choose their own learning pathway and it hits disproportionately part-timers.

Some professions are going to be particularly hard hit. Many already with qualifications train in social work, counselling and psychotherapy only after experience in the workplace.

And they claim the clergy are going to be very hard hit, since nearly all take degrees in theology after a first degree, again often later in life.

Jonathan Chatfield the Lib Dems' parliamentary spokesperson for South East Cambridgeshire explained:

"We need people to upgrade skills and continue working later in life, yet adult learners seeking a second qualification at an equivalent or lower level to what they have will be hit with full-cost fees.

"Liberal Democrats passionately believe in lifelong learning and want to see a system where everyone has the opportunity to reach their full potential, whatever their age.

"In today's world it is not unusual for people to have more than one career during their working life, and we should be seeking to make it easier for people to return to study, not harder.

"There are hundreds of people living and working in South East Cambridgeshire who are studying for second qualifications.

"If further education institutions such as the CRC lose precious funding for those studying for more qualifications, many courses will either have to sacrifice quality in order to become financially viable, or will be lost altogether.

"The Open University - which does excellent work in providing for those who need to work full time, or who may have caring responsibilities, is particularly vulnerable to this cut in higher education.

"Sarah Teather, the Lib Dem Shadow Secretary of State for Innovations, Universities and Skills has written to the higher education minister, urging him to think again."