Newport East

New Figures Show Increases in Number of People Starting Higher Education 23 March 2009

Newport East Undergraduate Success

Recently released figures from the Department for Children, Schools and Families show that since 1997 Newport East has seen an increase (above the national average) in young people starting an undergraduate course in a UK higher education institution. The figures show that across the UK there was an average increase of 25%, while Newport East saw an increase of 32%.

Jessica Morden MP commented "This Government has worked hard to increase the aspirations and opportunities for young people from all backgrounds to pursue their talent to a higher level. It is great to see young people from Newport East taking advantage of the extra opportunities made available to them."

Ms Morden continued "Along with the Welsh Assembly, we'll continue to try and ensure this trend is maintained, but we are also working closely on improving the amount of apprenticeships available for young people in Newport East. Higher education is not for everyone, some young people have exceptional skills in more practical vocations and we must ensure they have the same opportunities to fulfil their potential as well."

Newport East AM John Griffiths welcomed the news too, saying: "Helping people gain further skills and obtaining the education they deserve has been one of Labour's great achievements over the last decade, and people in Newport have benefited a lot from that. We need to continue to help people into education or training, of all kinds, and then into work."

The figures were released after a written parliamentary question to the Department requesting the figures.

Notes
Newport West also saw an increase of 34.2%. This means that the whole of Newport has seen an increase of 33.33% of young people starting undergraduate courses.