ePolitix.com Stakeholders comment on Gordon Brown's first address to conference as Labour leader.

On education, the prime minister announced personal tutors taking every secondary pupil through school, with one-to-one tuition for 300,000 primary school children in maths and English.

Promising to "stand up for opportunity" and lead a country "united by aspiration," Brown said his government had a 10-year plan to enable Britain's graduates to compete in the world market.

He said that free education would be made available from the age of three until 18 and that there would be a "clear pathway into skilled work" for school-leavers.

The number of people receiving financial help in higher education would be greatly increased, the prime minister said, so that more students get grants "than in the whole history of university education".

Stakeholder response: Exam Officers' Association

To post a comment click here

A spokesman said: "We are about to launch into a major change into the examination system with the 14 – 19 reforms.

"What has been made very clear that the success of these changes will be dented unless there are better trained professional exams office staff in post.

"Despite all the funding thrown at providing information and systems support, there is still little or nothing being invested directly into the training of these staff.

"The EOA is the committee to secure a more sustainable workforce and bring better security and confidence to the whole system but its needs greater investment now to reach that goal."

Stakeholder response: Unite

To post a comment click here

Tony Woodley, joint general secretary of Unite, said: "Gordon Brown’s decency and integrity shines through. It demonstrated he is in touch with ordinary working men and women, recognising their core concerns on education, housing and the NHS.

"It is the most Labour speech we have heard for a decade."

Derek Simpson, joint general secretary of Unite, said: "It was a captain's innings - safe, solid run making but no sixes. He's Geoffrey Boycott, batting for Britain.

"He covered all the things important to our members - the NHS, education, crime and affordable housing but there were no fireworks and if he wants to call an early election he has to light the blue touch paper".

Stakeholder response: Professional Association Teachers

To post a comment click here

Philip Parkin, general secretary of the Professional Association of Teachers, said: "Offering individual tuition is not a new idea – it features in the government's 'Building on progress' and 'Making good progress' schemes.

"However, it would be a real boost for pupils who need extra help – either because they have special educational needs or are disadvantaged in some other way, or because they have a particular gift, talent or aptitude.

"Such tuition could also create a more level playing field between state and private education.

"However, if this pledge is to work, the government must back its good intentions with the funding and training necessary to provide and equip the skilled professionals needed to put these plans into action."

Stakeholder response : National Union of Teachers

To post a comment click here

Steve Sinnott, general secretary of the National Union of Teachers, said: "The message is crystal clear. By meeting all our children's needs you meet the needs of our communities.

"It is a message that will receive the wholehearted support of the teaching profession.

"The commitment to increase massively the offer of one-to-one tuition in state schools means a significant move towards replicating the advantages currently experienced by those in private education.

"At long last a government has recognised the vital importance of expanding youth services.

"Gordon Brown's speech is a real step forward to securing a world-class education service for our country.

"Again, the prime minister has put on the line his commitment to securing a global entitlement for all children to education."