Chris Mole MP has welcomed new figures published this week showing that record numbers of young people in Suffolk are staying on in full-time education at 16.

70% of 16 and 17 year olds in Suffolk are in full-time education compared to just 65% in 1998.

The figures come as the Government prepares to raise the education and training age to 17 from 2013 and 18 from 2015 and create 90,000 more apprenticeships for under 18s.

Chris said:

"This is great news for Suffolk and I want to see the number of young people in our area staying on in education, training or an apprenticeship rising even further in the years to come.

"Every young person should be given the chance to fulfil their full potential and get the skills they need to succeed in life. That's why I'm backing Labour's plans to raise the education age to 18, so that all young people stay on at school, go to college, get an apprenticeship or go into work with one day of training each week.

"We're not raising the school leaving age, but we will make sure there is something to suit everyone. Some young people want to go straight into a working environment, so we'll have 90,000 more apprenticeship places by 2013. Others prefer to study more academic qualifications, such as A Levels whilst some will prefer the new Diplomas, which will mix practical and theoretical learning in subjects like Engineering, manufacturing and IT."