INVESTMENT IN FURTHER EDUCATION

That this House recognises the vitally important contribution which further education colleges make to the education system and economy; notes with concern the recent report from the Institute for Fiscal Studies which shows that spending per student in further education has fallen by eight per cent in real terms since 2009 and the adult learning budget has fallen by 45 per cent in the same period; further notes that over a million adult learners have been lost from colleges in that same period, representing a huge loss of opportunity; further recognises that over this period further education pay has fallen by 25 per cent in real terms causing increasing problems with recruitment and retention of staff; is concerned that the impact of this is likely to be compounded by the recent ring-fenced Teachers' Pay Grant for schools which was not extended to further education colleges; and calls on the Government to urgently increase investment in colleges to fund a fair pay deal and sustainable resource levels for the future.