Dr Neil Hudson shone a light on the importance of land-based education for protecting the future of British industry amid changes to applied qualifications.
Standing up in a Commons debate on Adult and Further Education, Dr Hudson reinforced that specialist courses such as agricultural engineering, animal handling and equine studies must be properly prioritised amid timetable changes to the ongoing T-Level rollout.
Despite relatively low student numbers compared to more mainstream courses, these bespoke land-based programmes are vital to sectors such as environmental conservation, wildlife management and agriculture.
With a professional background in the rural economy, Dr Hudson, the only veterinary surgeon in the House of Commons, is a keen protector of land-based education and from securing a future for land-based education in his constituency to championing courses on a national level, he continues to be a vocal advocate for training and education.
Speaking afterwards, veterinary MP Dr Neil Hudson said:
“Ensuring the next generation are properly skilled for the land-based sector of tomorrow will be pivotal to a range of national priorities including boosting food security, protecting our environment and making sure we uphold the highest international standards in agriculture and animal health and welfare.”
Dr Hudson’s recent action on land-based education:
- Dr Hudson’s work with Myerscough College: www.neilhudson.org.uk/news/veterinary-mp-dr-neil-hudson-champions-land-based-education-visit-myerscough-college
- Dr Hudson invited Education Minister to discuss training: www.neilhudson.org.uk/news/penrith-mp-dr-neil-hudson-champions-local-schools-during-penrith-visit-education-minister
- Dr Hudson welcomed rising stars in agriculture to Parliament: www.neilhudson.org.uk/news/dr-neil-hudson-mp-welcomed-uks-rising-agricultural-stars-parliament-discuss-future-farming
The full exchange in the House of Commons, as reported by Hansard:
Dr Neil Hudson, MP for Penrith and the Border asked:
“My hon. and learned Friend is making a passionate speech, focusing on key land-based educational issues. He mentions courses such as agricultural engineering, animal handling and equine studies. Does he agree that we need flexibility of approach to protect and preserve the specialist courses that are so important for animal health and welfare, for the agricultural industry and for food security?”
Edward Timpson, MP for Eddisbury, replied:
“It comes as no surprise that my hon. Friend is absolutely right. With his veterinary background, he knows a lot about this area. He will know that such flexibility allows us to shape the demand that we place on our land and the skills that will be required to work the land as the technology changes.”
