While naturally there has been a lot of coverage about what the Government’s skills strategy White Paper did not include, the Foyer Federation is delighted with the creation of a new adult learning grant.
This new grant, to be piloted from September, closely mirrors our proposals to the Government for a further education maintenance allowance for those over the age of 18.
Once the grant becomes fully available it will provide thousands of young people across the UK - including Foyer residents - with the second chance they need to enter skilled employment or higher education. For many of them it will literally transform their future lives and prospects.
The Foyer Federation thanks all those who supported its campaign for the introduction of a new maintenance grant, including the Association of Colleges, Campaign for Learning, and Advantage West Midlands.
And we would also like to thank the many MPs who signed an Early Day Motion which called on the Government to introduce such a grant.
Carolyn Hayman OBE Chief executive The Foyer Federation 3rd Floor, 5-9 Hatton Wall London, EC1N