Neil Darby, Tulketh campaigner and Region Chair for NW Liberal Youth, has today welcomed Simon Hughes’ report into Access to Higher Education. This document, a result of six months of research by Simon Hughes following his appointment as Advocate for Access to Education in December last year, makes a number of recommendations to the government on how the reforms to higher education as set out last year can be improved.

In the report, Simon lays out how improvements at all levels of education and the greater provision of advice and support for both pupils and parents throughout the educational system will provide a real boast to young people from all backgrounds wishing to continue in education beyond the age of eighteen. The report carries no mandate, however given the influence of the author and the sensitivity of the topic of higher education amongst Liberal Democrats, it is hard to imagine that this will not be heavily pushed by the Liberal Democrats in the coalition government.

Among the key recommendations put forward by the Hughes Report is the suggestion that discussion of career options should start at primary school with 10 and 11 year olds. In addition to this, it further states the government should act urgently to guarantee face to face careers advice for all young people in schools.

Commenting on the report, Neil Darby said: “By expanding and making greater utility of resources largely already at the disposal of the education system Simon Hughes makes sensible and laudable suggestions which I hope will be put into action by the government. I have every confidence that our Liberal Democrat MPs will fight their hardest to ensure the best outcome for the young people of this country who have aspirations to attend higher education.”

“Following the disturbances of last year following the reform of higher education, everyone who supports a strong university system and a fair deal for students should now unite behind this report and insist the government implements the recommendations made by the Liberal Democrat deputy leader. In these difficult times artificial divisions only hurt progressive causes, whilst strengthening those for whom cuts are a political dream rather than an economic necessity.”

The full Hughes Report can be found here.