MPs debate education bill

Government plans to increase the school and training leaving age to 18 have taken a step further, as MPs debated the Education and Skills Bill.

The Bill reached its report stage in the House of Commons on Tuesday, before proceeding to the Lords.

If it becomes law then by 2013 all 17-year-olds will participate in some form of education or training, rising to 18 by 2015.

Young people and parents will be required to participate, while employers will have to release young people for the equivalent of one day a week to undertake training.

The Bill puts into law the recommendations of the 2007 report into skills by Lord Leitch.

It also places a duty on the Learning and Skills council to provide courses for adults to obtain basic literacy and numeracy skills.

The Conservatives have questioned the viability of raising the education leaving age, arguing that students dropping out of school at a younger age tend to be from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Raising the leaving age would mean more disruptive students and higher truancy, they believe.

Children's secretary Ed Balls accused the Tories of setting out plans that would leave a £5.2bn "black hole" in their finances.

"Michael Gove described raising the education and training leaving age to 18 as a 'gimmick'," he said.

"But it is his party's addiction to gimmicks that would lead to cuts and chaos in our schools.

"The Tories should back our plans to promote excellence for all and not just some.

"That means they should support our plans to raise the education and training leaving age, back our diplomas, support fair admissions for all pupils and parents, and focus more on improving school standards."