Labour MP for Wentworth
March 17, 2009

BIG RISE IN YOUNG PEOPLE GOING TO UNIVERSITY 

NEW figures show the number of young Rotherham people going to university has increased by nearly 30% in the last 10 years.

In 1997/98, 725 went on to higher education compared to 925 last year.

And in Barnsley it has shot up by 50% from 525 to 785.

Wentworth MP John Healey said he was pleased by the figures, which reflected increased government investment and efforts to expand opportunities for young people to get a degree.

He said: “Ten years ago, some people round here throught that university wasn’t for them. But we’ve worked hard to raise aspirations and help them get the qualifications they need, and all the hard work is paying off.”

And he hopes the figures will lend weight to the Dearne’s bid for a new university centre. 

Mr Healey has been working with partners from Rotherham, Barnsley and Doncaster to prepare a strong case for a new campus between the three towns. 

He has met government colleagues including John Denham, Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills, and a party from the Dearne have been to London for talks.

The bid was named as one of 27 ‘expressions of interest’ in Parliament in November last year and now the next steps in the process have been taken, with the Higher Education Funding Council  (HEFCE) publishing its guidance on submitting proposals. 

Proposers now have to put forward a ‘statement of intent’ to HEFCE by June 30, then submit a full business case.

Mr Healey said: “More people than ever from our area are going on to higher education – but a university on the doorstep could open up that option to so many more.

“A university centre in the former South Yorkshire coalfields would help complete the transformation and regeneration of South Yorkshire. It would transform not just our education but our aspirations and achievements for the future.”

The government has pledged to open or agree funding for 20 new university centres in the next six years.
 
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