Vince Cable

Government cuts in funding will mean "dramatic" falls in local adult education numbers this year as support is withdrawn for all students and courses which do not fit the Government's priority for apprenticeships and formal skill training. Many part-time and vocational qualifications will have to close. Also lack of any indication from the Government as to how much money is available means that some colleges - but not yet Richmond - are having to issue redundancy notices to all their staff.

Vincent Cable MP raised the collapse in adult education numbers with the Minister in Parliament last week and will follow up with a visit to him. He plans to work alongside the Adult College Principal and staff to alert the public to the threat to adult education. He said: "We are fortunate to have a really excellent college in the Borough. But the excellence masks a brutal programme of cuts which affects all but the narrowly vocational courses. It is clear that next year - starting September - could be even worse. The Government's approach to adult education is philistine, bureaucratic and deeply damaging."