My son, is one of the thousands of people to have their life chances transformed by Chesterfield College.

‘The College’s funding, like FE colleges around the country, has dropped 30% in real terms since 2010.

Further Education funding is in crisis. Why is the education of young people who go to FE Colleges worth so little to this Government?

The funding crisis that is engulfing Further Education establishments and is impacting on staff and course availability at Chesterfield College was the subject of a question at the latest set of Prime Minister’s Questions, thanks to Chesterfield MP, Toby Perkins.

Toby asked Prime Minister Theresa May why the education of young people who go to FE Colleges was worth so little to the Government? In response the Prime Minister denied the charge though she was unable to provide alternative figures after Mr Perkins informed her that the College had seen a real terms cut in funding of 30% since the Conservative Government came to power in 2010.

The question opened Wednesday’s Prime Minister’s Questions, and it came just 2 weeks after a major Parliamentary debate on Further Education funding that saw MPs from all parties raise concerns about Further Education funding.

The debate was brought to parliament following a 70,000 strong petition bemoaning the scale of Further Education cuts.

Speaking after his question to the PM, Toby Perkins said: “Further Education is crucial to Britain and the College is crucial to Chesterfield. FE Colleges offer an alternative University route to 6th Form which suit some young people’s learning style, it also offers a second chance to some who don’t thrive at school, and with Apprenticeships and adult education it can help people at all stages of life. The funding cuts are brutal and they are costing jobs and threatening courses, and it’s time that Government realised the role that FE plays and supported it properly.”

Following the question Toby was interviewed by ITV Calendar who are producing a piece centred on college funding at Chesterfield College which is expected to air on Wednesday night’s show.