This week in Parliament we started the work on the Education and Skills Bill. As the whip with responsibility for delivering this for the Government, I know the difference it will make for young people and adults in Worcester.
It is a landmark Bill which will raise the education and training leaving age to 17 from 2013 and 18 from 2015. It will also give adults new rights to basic and intermediate skills training.
We are not proposing to raise the school leaving age as some may have read, but we do want all youngsters to continue in education and training.
It is in their interest to do so, and collectively, it is in our local community’s interest too.
Only by helping local people gain better qualifications will we see our economy prosper, and local businesses benefit.
Through better education and training, young people are less likely to get involved in crime or anti-social behaviour, misuse drugs or become teenage parents.
The young person will become more socially mobile; enjoy better health as well as higher earnings potential, greater employability and increased self-esteem.
If we want to repeat the success shown by local firms such as Bosch, Joy Mining, and Mazak to name a few, we need well-educated local youngsters going into the workplace. We should not have to rely on immigrant labour to meet our skill needs.
Local people will be surprised to know that the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats are opposing our plans to help all 16 to 18 year-olds. I know local businesses want to see these measures become law, and it is a strange political world when the Conservatives, who were once seen as the party of business, turn their back on the needs of business.
When it comes to making the right decisions for the long-term interests of our community and individuals, then once again the Government has shown its mettle.
And, it has to be said once again, the Conservatives have shown themselves to be shallow and opportunistic in their opposition.