§ Q4. Mr. ChaytorIf he will make a statement on his plans to increase opportunities for lifelong learning.
§ The Prime MinisterI know that my right hon. Friend and other hon. Members have taken a keen interest in lifelong learning. The lifelong learning Green Paper was published on 25 February. We believe that it is essential that if we are to create the type of economy that we need in future, people should be able to train and re-skill throughout their lives. Our proposals will make a significant start on that.
§ Mr. ChaytorIs my right hon. Friend aware that, last year, more than 50 per cent. of further education colleges—colleges responsible for about 4 million students—experienced financial deficits due largely to the imposition of the internal market and the unfair funding methodology used by the previous Government? Will he assure the House that, after the reform in the financing of university education, the Government will introduce a substantial new investment in lifelong learning, particularly for the overwhelming majority of young people and adults who have never had any prospect of going to university?
§ The Prime Minister"I personally believe that" the Conservative
failure in 20 years to significantly improve the level of public education is one of the areas thatthey should bemost…ashamed of.[HON. MEMBERS: "Rubbish."] Opposition Members shout "Rubbish" but I am quoting Steven Norris, who was a Minister in a previous Government. He went on to say:you can acquit Labour of the charge of not being prepared to take the issue on.Mr. Norris is right. What is more, as a result of the additional money that we are putting into further education, the university for industry, the £150 million to help people with training and skilling in the individual learning accounts and the 500,000 extra people who will go into further and higher education as a result of Government reforms in the next five years, we are at last making a start on getting the lifelong learning society that we need for the future.
§ Mr. BoswellAs I am sure the Prime Minister will want to acknowledge the achievements of the previous Government in giving the further education sector independence and pressing forward to advance adult literacy measures, will he explain his priorities in converting the White Paper that was promised into the Green Paper on adult learning that was delivered?
§ The Prime MinisterWe have always made it clear that there should be a proper process of consultation. Some elements in that—for example, the individual learning accounts and the extra £150 million that we are putting into them—will happen in any event, which is 548 extremely important. I acknowledge that the previous Government made some changes in adult literacy that we would support, but they cut funding drastically—particularly funding for further education, which was cut way below its tenable level. That is precisely why we are spending an extra £100 million on it next year, which I hope the hon. Gentleman will welcome.