News from Southampton Labour

John Denham and PM announce boost for apprenticeships

Southampton Itchen Labour MP, John Denham, joined Prime Minister Gordon Brown in Derby to announce a funding boost which could see more apprenticeship places available for young people and adults in Southampton.

The number of people completing an apprenticeship in Southampton has risen by 136% over the last three years from 137 in 2002/03 to 324 in 2005/06.

The Prime Minister and Mr Denham, who is Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS), have now announced £140 million of extra funding for an additional 35,000 apprentices across the country in the next twelve months.

John Denham said:

“Now more than ever it is important that we give people the real help they need to get and keep jobs. This is an important initiative and is a further signal of our determination to give people the chance to get the practical training they need to get on and to help ensure the country has the skilled workers it needs to benefit from the upturn.

“In Southampton we’ve already seen a revival of apprenticeships with a 136% increase in just three years. The funding I announced with Gordon Brown this week means we can have even more apprenticeships in the coming year.

“Not only will this investment help us get through the economic downturn, it will also ensure we have more skilled workers for the future so our area can benefit from the upturn.

“But while the Labour Government is expanding apprenticeships, Tory plans to cut spending next year could actually see over 220,000 apprenticeship places slashed across the country. That would be a disaster for our area.”

Tory plans to cut public spending growth to just 1% in 2009/10 for most departments would see £610m of cuts to the budget of DIUS and £300m of cuts to the non-schools budget of the Department for Children, Schools and Families.

John Denham added:

“The Conservative proposals come at the very worst time. They are irresponsible and damaging. They would stop many young people getting the skills they need to get on in life. And they would damage the long-term future of the economy – as the economy recovers from the global economic downturn it will need skilled staff to prevent jobs going elsewhere.

“In the current economic downturn, it’s vital that we continue to invest in the economy and make sure people in Southampton have the skills they need to succeed in the future. “

Other news from Southampton Labour

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• Welfare changes hit poorest areas in Southampton hardest - 1 February 2012