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Further Education Institutions
16 July 2025
Lead MP
Anna Dixon
Shipley
Lab
Responding Minister
Catherine McKinnell
Tags
TaxationEmployment
Word Count: 4753
Other Contributors: 14
At a Glance
Anna Dixon raised concerns about further education institutions in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
The lead MP asks for the Minister to outline what the Government is doing to address the capital funding needs of further education colleges and to empower local areas and colleges to tailor their provision to local labour market needs and community demands.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Further education institutions educate and train 1.6 million people but have faced significant funding cuts under the previous Conservative government, with spending on adult skills and apprenticeships being 23% lower in 2024-25 compared to 2009-10. Many colleges struggle with capital investment due to restrictions on borrowing money.
Adrian Ramsay
Green
Waveney Valley
Highlights the £8,000 to £10,000 gap in pay between FE lecturers and secondary education teachers teaching similar subjects, urging for this disparity to be addressed.
Alison Hume
Lab
Scarborough and Whitby
Scarborough UTC hosts valuable real-world knowledge for students preparing them for careers in the renewables sector, but young people in deprived communities need access to these educational opportunities.
Anna Dixon
Lab
Agrees that colleges have achieved their 'outstanding' status due to the breadth of training and qualifications offered, and highlights challenges in delivering T-levels and addressing staffing shortages.
Explained that she would not be able to address all issues raised due to time constraints.
West Dorset
Asks about staff pay disparity between higher and further education institutions, which makes it difficult for colleges to attract specialists.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Highlights the challenge faced by young adult carers in accessing further education, suggesting more support is needed for those with caring responsibilities.
John Slinger
Lab
Rugby
Asked the Minister to give way.
Julia Buckley
Lab
Shrewsbury
Discusses the need for further education colleges to offer a wide range of qualifications from supported internships up to level 4 degrees, highlighting challenges in rural areas.
Leigh Ingham
Lab
Stafford
Discusses challenges faced by Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group, which is facing a shortfall of 30% of places for its constituents by the end of this decade.
Melanie Ward
Lab
Cowdenbeath and Kirkcaldy
Fife college has had its budget slashed by 20% over the last three years, which is unacceptable and deprives people in her area of opportunities to learn new skills.
Gregory Campbell
DUP
East Londonderry
Congratulates the lead MP and emphasizes the importance of apprenticeships in disadvantaged communities.
Julie Minns
Lab
Carlisle
Stresses the importance of funding for colleges like Beaumont that support young people with special educational needs and disabilities.
Natalie Fleet
Lab
Bolsover
Points out the lack of a sixth-form college or further education college in her constituency, impacting local young people's educational opportunities and social mobility.
Will Stone
Lab
Swindon North
Supports Institutes of Technology for workforce development, particularly in defence, and commends a local leader's contribution.
Government Response
Catherine McKinnell
The Minister for School Standards
Government Response
Colleges are a unique part of the education landscape delivering high-quality provision at all levels. The Government continues to invest and provide support, focusing on delivering where it is most needed. Announced a £6.7 billion capital funding investment in education, with specific allocations for further education colleges and technical skills training. Highlighted the importance of FE teachers and committed to recruiting additional teachers. Mentioned targeted retention incentive payments for FE teachers and a national recruitment campaign called ‘Teach in Further Education’. Emphasised the government's support for further education colleges.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.