This article was originally published in Look Left – Oxford University Labour Club‘s termly journal.
Education funding has been a hot political issue in recent years, with schools facing a funding crisis and controversial tuition fees being introduced in higher education. Until recently, however, further education has been largely missing from the conversation. Despite bearing the brunt of education cuts and being central to solving Britain’s productivity crisis, 16-19-year-olds are being failed by politicians who believe they can allow FE colleges to fail without anybody noticing. Now, with Theresa May announcing the ‘end of austerity’ and Brexit throwing Britain’s skills shortages into sharp relief, the public is beginning to wake up to these brutal cuts. It is vital that we support 16-19 year olds in further education.
Since 2015, young people have been required to stay in education until 18, however, lack of support for post-16 education means many young people find themselves finishing school on the edge of cliff. The Association of Colleges calculates that there is a 21% drop in education funding per pupil at age 16. By contrast, the private sector typically raises fees at age 16 by 20%. With poor public transport services, not subsidised like secondary school transport, and struggling colleges, options are often very limited – especially for those looking at vocational courses or apprenticeships. Young people often find themselves isolated, effectively priced out of the most appropriate courses. This is a huge problem, particularly in rural areas and for those who come from low-income or unstable backgrounds.
The lack of emphasis on post-16 education, both in funding and in political debate, is extremely harmful for the UK. Lack of skills training has been identified as one of the key reasons why Britain’s productivity is lagging behind our global competitors. Britain’s post-16 vocational programmes have far lower enrolment rates and funding than most OECD members, for example. This stands in stark contrast with pre-16 education, which had its budgets protected by the coalition government, and universities, with record numbers of students enroling. The result is many young people taking part in education which is inappropriate for the career paths they choose to follow, with almost 60% of recent graduates working in non-graduate jobs. With greater funding and attention, vocational training could boost productivity and give young people skills that set them up for life.
Britain’s skills gap has so far been ameliorated, to a certain extent, by immigration. However, with the Conservatives ideologically persuing harmfully restrictive immigration policies, and taking us out of the EU, politics is about to collide with reality. Recently leaked details of the Immigration Bill suggest that Ministers plan to drastically limit immigration for those earning under £30,000, a policy bound to hit sectors which are already struggling with skills shortages. Rather than cutting immigration, we need to be encouraging young people here to be gaining the skills that our economy urgently needs. However our immigration policy ends up after Brexit, post-16 education will be key to ensuring we have a skilled workforce which allows businesses and public services to flourish.
Aside from economic growth, education is also one of the best ways to tackle inequality. This is why Labour should put post-16 education at the heart of its plans for a National Education Service. When bus passes can cost over £600 whilst apprenticeships pay only £3.70 an hour, Theresa May’s pledge to create a ‘meritocracy’ is unconvincing. With colleges being pushed to the brink, it is time for a Labour government to turn the situation around. With properly funded and respected post-16 opportunities, education can be a social leveller, giving young people from all backgrounds the opportunities they deserve.
When the Oxford and Cambridge admissions statistics come out each year, there is a predictable (and justified) outrage at the lack of state school students being offered places. But if we want to take the issue of educational inequality seriously, we have to recognise that the problem is rooted far deeper than Oxbridge recruitment processes. Whilst top universities can do more to support state school applicants, there is nothing they can do to match the coaching and support which Oxbridge hopefuls recieve at top private schools. With better resources, sixth forms and FE colleges can be a springboard to top universities. Whilst inequality does not emerge when young people turn 16, and we must do more to tackle inequality in all stages of education. There is no reason why young people at state schools should be at such a big disadvantage when it comes to university applications and final exams.
Fortunately, FE colleges are taking a stand against austerity. In October, Colleges Week celebrated the contribution of colleges, featuring a national lobby of parliament with hundreds of principals, staff and students meeting their MPs. A petition was launched, quickly gaining the 10,000 signatures needed to secure a government response. At the time of writing, the petition has 67,614 signatures, with four months to go to secure the 100,000 needed for a parliamentary debate. If we are serious about tackling inequality, boosting productivity and giving young people the opportunities they deserve, we should support our support staff and students in their calls for sustainable funding. Education provision for all ages deserves respect and support from the government.
Owen Winter 