Gordon Brown promises to look at Aylesbury

Full marks to David Lidlington MP who used his question at Prime Minister's Questions today to raise the issue of youth apprenticeships in Aylesbury, and managed to extract a promise from the Prime Minister to look into the situation.

A report on the exchange:

12.20 When youth unemployment is rising, why, asks Tory MP David Lidington, are apprenticeship budgets being cut in his constituency? Brown insists more is being invested in apprenticeships but promises to look at the situation in Aylesbury.

Let's hope that for once he keeps his promise.

Update: in his blog, David explains what prompted him to raise the question:

'In this weeks’ Prime Minister’s Questions I asked Gordon Brown to explain why the Government’s Learning and Skills Council (LSC) had cut the funding that it had promised training providers in Aylesbury for the next academic year. It seems to me that at a time when unemployment is rising amongst young people we need to invest in training to help ensure this country’s future.

Both ATG Training and Aylesbury College have warned me that the LSC’s indicative budgets would mean a big reduction in training. At worst, this could make it impossible for them to continue some courses which apprentices have started in good faith.

I have now written to the Prime Minister, asking that he looks into the particular difficulties that Aylesbury College and ATG Training face.

I will make sure to post an update once I have received a response from the Prime Minister.

To find out more, please click here to view the Hansard from 6th May Westminster Hall debate.'