Menu
12/01/2007
School leaving age 'to rise to 18'
The age at which young people leave school could be raised to 18, under new plans being considered by the government.
According to a report in 'The Times', the increase could be introduced by 2013.
The plans would not mean that pupils would have to continue with academic lessons, but would have to receive vocational training or undertake an apprenticeship until the age of 18.
If the plans are introduced, it would be the first time that the school leaving age has been raised since 1972, when it was increased to 16.
The government said that the proposals would help to tackle the problem of young people leaving school without qualifications or essential workplace skills.
The decline in unskilled jobs has been blamed for an increase in the number of 16-17-year-olds who are unemployed.
The Office for National Statistics said that the number of 16-17-year-olds who were unemployed had risen from 19.9% in 1997 to 25.3% now.
Speaking to 'The Times', Education Secretary Alan Johnson said: "It should be as unacceptable to see a 16-year-old working with no training, no education, as it is now to see a 14-year-old."
(KMcA)
According to a report in 'The Times', the increase could be introduced by 2013.
The plans would not mean that pupils would have to continue with academic lessons, but would have to receive vocational training or undertake an apprenticeship until the age of 18.
If the plans are introduced, it would be the first time that the school leaving age has been raised since 1972, when it was increased to 16.
The government said that the proposals would help to tackle the problem of young people leaving school without qualifications or essential workplace skills.
The decline in unskilled jobs has been blamed for an increase in the number of 16-17-year-olds who are unemployed.
The Office for National Statistics said that the number of 16-17-year-olds who were unemployed had risen from 19.9% in 1997 to 25.3% now.
Speaking to 'The Times', Education Secretary Alan Johnson said: "It should be as unacceptable to see a 16-year-old working with no training, no education, as it is now to see a 14-year-old."
(KMcA)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
09 November 2005
Public schools found guilty of fee fixing
Fifty of England’s top public schools have broken competition law by exchanging information about fees, the Office of Fair Trading has announced. Following an investigation lasting more than two years, the OFT found that pupils’ parents ended up paying higher fees as a result of the information-sharing.
Public schools found guilty of fee fixing
Fifty of England’s top public schools have broken competition law by exchanging information about fees, the Office of Fair Trading has announced. Following an investigation lasting more than two years, the OFT found that pupils’ parents ended up paying higher fees as a result of the information-sharing.
21 March 2005
Government to 'raise standard and quality' of school dinners
The government has announced plans to raise the standard and quality of school dinners. Speaking at the launch of Labour's campaign policy document on children, Education Secretary Ruth Kelly said that Labour was "committed to raising the nutritional standard of school meals".
Government to 'raise standard and quality' of school dinners
The government has announced plans to raise the standard and quality of school dinners. Speaking at the launch of Labour's campaign policy document on children, Education Secretary Ruth Kelly said that Labour was "committed to raising the nutritional standard of school meals".
28 August 2006
Asda announces plans to scrap birth date queries
Supermarket chain Asda will no longer ask prospective employees to supply their date of birth on application forms, the firm has announced. The supermarket chain said that it would employ staff of all ages - from 16 to over 70 - which goes beyond new age discrimination legislation which will come into force on October 1.
Asda announces plans to scrap birth date queries
Supermarket chain Asda will no longer ask prospective employees to supply their date of birth on application forms, the firm has announced. The supermarket chain said that it would employ staff of all ages - from 16 to over 70 - which goes beyond new age discrimination legislation which will come into force on October 1.
04 February 2005
Unions to ballot members over pension age proposals
The Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) have announced plans to ballot their members on strike action, over government plans to raise the public sector pension age to 65. The PCS, which has 290,00 public sector members, will join UNISON, the TGWU and Amicus, in balloting their members about a possible strike on March 23.
Unions to ballot members over pension age proposals
The Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) have announced plans to ballot their members on strike action, over government plans to raise the public sector pension age to 65. The PCS, which has 290,00 public sector members, will join UNISON, the TGWU and Amicus, in balloting their members about a possible strike on March 23.
16 September 2013
Sainsbury's 2014 School Games To Take Place In Manchester
Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Maria Miller has announced that the Sainsbury's 2014 School Games will take place in Manchester.
Sainsbury's 2014 School Games To Take Place In Manchester
Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Maria Miller has announced that the Sainsbury's 2014 School Games will take place in Manchester.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:A cloudy start to the evening, but clear spells developing from the west along with a few showers. More widespread and frequent showers in the early hours. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
