News from Southampton Labour

Denham welcomes rise in Southampton apprenticeships and challenges Tories over cutback plans

John Denham, Southampton Itchen Labour MP and Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills, today welcomed figures showing the huge rise in the number of people completing apprenticeships in his constituency. The number of people completing apprenticeships in Southampton Itchen has risen from 100 in 2004 in to 220 in 2008 – a rise of 120 percent in just four years. In the neighbouring Southampton Test constituency completions have doubled to 160 in the same time period. The figures come as people up and down the country have been celebrating the revival of apprenticeships as part of Apprenticeship Week.

But John Denham is warning today that all this could be put at risk by the Conservatives’ plans to cut £910m from spending on education and skills in the next year. These cuts could mean that not a single person over 19 in Southampton would be able to start an apprenticeship next year, and very few younger people would be able to.

John Denham said:

“Apprenticeships are a great way to get on in life for young people and adults who want on the job training. The Prime Minister and I were able to see this for ourselves when we spoke with the young people at Southampton City College last Monday. I’m really pleased that the number of people starting an apprenticeship has increased so fast and I congratulate everyone in Southampton who has completed an apprenticeship in the last few years.

“The Labour Government is expanding apprenticeships even further in the coming years, which is great news for our area. And we will soon be introducing a right to an apprenticeship place for every suitably qualified young person who wants one.

“But, just at the time when we should be investing in the economy and supporting people through the recession, the Tories want to cut our investment in education and skills training. It’s a disgrace that the Conservatives would turn their backs on so many people who want to get top quality on the job training to help them get a good, well-paid job and get on in life.

“I challenge my Conservative opponent at the next election to stand up to his party and pledge to people in Southampton Itchen that he would not support slashing spending on apprenticeships in Southampton.”