Dan Rogerson MP for North Cornwall

Local MP, Dan Rogerson, has condemned the results of a report showing the lack of educational opportunities in North Cornwall.

The ‘Location, Location, Location’ report from the University and College Union exposes a postcode lottery of educational achievement and shows how the gap between people living in underachieving areas and those in traditionally strong educational areas is widening. Places with traditionally high academic achievement have pulled further away from those at the other end of the scale.

North Cornwall has more people of working age with no qualifications than the national average and is below the national average for people having a degree. Instead of improving, areas like North Cornwall – where access to educational facilities is poor – have seen academic achievement decline.

Commenting, Local MP Dan Rogerson said:

“Under previous Conservative and Labour Governments the divide between the haves and have nots has continued to widen, with the place you live largely determining your chance to educational success. The people of Cornwall are missing out on vital opportunities which would enable them to develop and learn new skills.

“This report really does show the urgent need for more further and higher education provision in Cornwall. We need to prioritise fair opportunities for everyone, irrespective of where they come from.”

Notes:

* LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION – the widening education gap in Britain and how where you live determines your chances is attached.
* The national average percentage of people of working age with no qualifications in a constituency is 12.4%; in North Cornwall the level is 15.2%
* The national average percentage of people of working age who have a degree-level qualification or above in a constituency is 29%; in North Cornwall the level is only 19.34%