Mar 13, 2009
Reading University’s Continuing Education Public Programmes Slashed
Liberal Democrats have condemned the announcement of the closure of Reading University’s Continuing Education public programmes as the result of Government cuts that ‘make a mockery of their so-called commitment to lifelong learning’ – and a slap in the face to workers looking to reskill to fight their way out of unemployment in the recession.
The Labour Government announced last year that they were cutting the £100 million Equivalent or Lower Qualifications (ELQ) funding, which has enabled residents to requalify in new skills. After a review, the University has announced the closure of its public programme to new students from May.
Commenting, Cllr Gareth Epps, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary campaigner for Reading East, said:-
“It is absolutely clear that these cuts in adult education relate directly to the Government’s nonsensical cut to ELQ funding. Labour’s slashing of adult education makes a mockery of their so-called commitment to lifelong learning.
Liberal Democrats are pledged to reverse this irresponsible Labour cut. The worry must be that higher education is to suffer even more as the Government tries to pay its way out of its meaningless VAT cut.”
Cllr Kirsten Bayes, Lib Dem education spokesperson on Reading Borough Council added:-
“These cuts are absurd. They come at the worst possible time for the thousands of local people being made redundant, who are looking to retrain in order to resume their careers.”
Karl Hobley, Mature Students Officer, Reading University Students Union commented:
“This is bad news for mature students, but bad news for the local economy, the region, the University as a whole, Readings widening participation agenda and staff now about to lose their jobs.
Now more than ever we need a government who think long term, who look after students and local people unlike the current lot.”
Editor’s Notes:
- Liberal Democrats at their Spring Conference in Harrogate last weekend (6-8 March) overwhelmingly endorsed new education proposals which included a specific commitment to reverse Labour’s cuts to the ELQ programme.
