News from Southampton Labour

John Denham welcomes rise in young people from Southampton going to university

John Denham, Labour MP for Southampton Itchen, today welcomed figures showing a 51 percent rise in the number of young people from his constituency going to university in the last ten years. Since Labour came to power it has worked hard to expand opportunities for young people to get a degree, and these figures show that young people from Southampton are benefiting.

But the MP warned today that this progress could be put at risk by Conservative plans to slash £610m from the universities and skills budgets.

John Denham said:

“As Universities Secretary, I very much welcome the rise in young people going to university from Southampton Itchen. Ten years ago, many young people here may have thought that university wasn’t for them. But we’ve worked hard to raise aspirations and to help them get the qualifications they need; and all that hard work is paying off.

“Whilst Labour has increased investment in higher education by 23 percent, the Conservatives would cut £610m from the universities and skills budgets. This would mean fewer young people from my constituency being able to get into higher education.”

To widen participation in higher education, Labour has:

* Introduced, and then increased, student grants so that over two thirds of students get a full or partial grant of up to £2,835
* Introduced the Aimhigher scheme to raise young people’s aspirations, encourage them to believe that university could be for them, and help them get there
* Expanded the gifted and talented programme to help pupils reach their potential
* Encouraged universities to form deep, long-term structural links with schools, to help raise aspirations, drive up standards, and help young people apply to university
* Increased attainment at GCSE and A-level so that more young people have the necessary qualifications to go to university
* Required all universities to publish their admissions policies and procedures, and show they are being fairly implemented
* Increased investment in higher education by over 23% since 1997, so that more young people than ever before have the opportunity to get a degree

Other news from Southampton Labour

• Water bills hiked as Southampton Council and Southern Water waste public money - 2 February 2012
• Southampton Labour MPs urge constituents to claim free heating and insulation help - 1 February 2012
• Welfare changes hit poorest areas in Southampton hardest - 1 February 2012