James Cunningham

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HIGHER EDUCATION RATES IN COVENTRY SOUTH ABOVE NATIONAL AVERAGE

NEARLY one third of people of working age in Coventry South are qualified at degree level or above.

The total of 18,000 people holding higher education qualifications equates to 32 per cent of the constituency population, according to Government figures.

The qualification rate is above both the national and West Midlands average.

Coventry South MP Jim Cunningham today welcomed the news which came in a reply to a question to education minister Phil Hope.

Mr Cunningham asked what percentage of people of working age in Coventry South hold a qualification at degree level or equivalent or above.

In reply, Mr Hope said 18,000 or 32 per cent of people of working age in Coventry South hold a qualification at degree level or equivalent or above.

This compares to 23.0 per cent, or 732,000 in the West Midlands, and 26.2 per cent, or 7,997,000, in England.

Mr Cunningham said: “In today’s globalised age, higher education is becoming more and more important.

“Young people today are finding themselves having to compete for jobs not just against their peers, but against people from all parts of the globe.

“Because of that fact, I’m pleased to see nearly one third of people of working age in Coventry South hold higher education qualifications.

“The challenge now is for us to ensure more people have the opportunity to obtain higher education qualifications should they wish.”

In other education questions, Mr Cunningham discovered Coventry schools will be allocated £12.8 million in 2007-08.