Lib Dems promise big boost for further education

EVERY adult would receive an educational allowance to use as they saw fit, if the Liberal Democrats won the next General Election.
If would be topped up at the ages of 25, 40 and 55, according to Ryan Bate, Liberal Democrat candidate for Warrington South.
He says annual funding for a student in 16-19 education has fallen in real terms by 18 per cent since 2010 and two in five education colleges are in deficit.
A boost is needed in investment in further education and lifelong learning.
Mr Bates draws on his own experience as a high school teacher.
He said: “As a teacher, I know how important this issue is. Young people who leave my school shouldn’t be faced with an under-funded college course.
“We also know that adults need the support to retrain throughout their working lives to stay employable and adapt to new technology in the workplace.
“Apart from the need to enable people to retrain, I am also passionate that people should be able to access learning as an end in itself. It is more than just about serving the economy.
“The Liberal Democrats would match college funding to school funding and give every adult an educational allowance, topped up at 25, 40 and 55, to use as they see fit.”