Hoey highlights plight of "wonderful" Morley College at PMQs

The Vauxhall MP said: "I wonder if the Prime Minister would look again at the proposed changes to the funding of adult education.

"Is he aware that these changes will mean that wonderful colleges like Morley in my constituency will be severely restricted in the types of courses they can offer and that many thousands and millions of people who have had their lives enriched by adult education will be affected by these changes?"

Mr Blair replied: "We will look at this very carefully indeed. Obviously there has got to be a balance as to how we spend the money to make sure it's the most effective use for the workforce we want to build in the future, but I am also aware of the point that my honourable friend makes about the leisure activities and the other ways that people enhance and enrich their lives with these types of courses.

"But there always has been and always will be a balance between the amount of money we put into this and the amount of money we put into the skills of the workforce."

Last November Morley staff and students helped to deliver a nationwide petition to Downing Street calling on the Government to protect adult learning courses from heavy cuts.

Morley principal Philip Meaden said last year: "Our college is very proud of the role it plays in providing education to people across London and in particular the local community – both young and old – and we are always ready to campaign on behalf of our learners."

• Morley College