Williams - Education Asbos are an Admission of Failure

12.41.00pm GMT Thu 8th Nov 2007

Liberal Democrat schools spokesman, Stephen Williams MP, has voiced his criticism at a new Government scheme to hand down fines to young people who choose not to stay on in education past the age of 16. Under plans announced in the Queen's speech earlier this week, 16 and 17 year olds who do not enrol on a further education course after leaving school could receive a court summons and a fine of up to £200.

Stephen Williams commented:

"By introducing these 'education asbos' the government has once again chosen to treat symptoms rather than the underlying causes of the problem."

"Young people need encouragement, not threats. Youngsters who continue in further education simply to avoid a £200 fine are unlikely to benefit much from the experience."

"It is an admission of failure by the government that after ten years and billions of pounds of extra spending on education so many 16 year olds still opt out education after completing their GCSEs. Rather than punishing school leavers the government should concentrate on combating youth disaffection with education by reforming the school curriculum."