Following news that thousands of adult apprentices are set to be denied training funding, NUS-USI President Adrianne Peltz has condemned the cuts saying she will be quizzing the Employment and Learning Minster, Stephen Farry, on them as well as last week’s proposals for cuts to Education Maintenance Allowance when she meets with him on Thursday.

Adrianne Peltz said: “This cut in funding for adult apprenticeships is terrible news, particularly following the proposals for deep cuts to EMA.

“It seems that almost everyone in need is set to lose out in some way and that’s simply not on. We are meeting with the DEL Minister on Thursday to raise our concerns about proposals for cuts to EMA and we will also now be raising the cut as regards to adult apprenticeships too.

“This cut is apparently about focusing on school leavers, yet at the same time DEL is also proposing drastic cuts to EMA which is there to help people aged 16 to 19 take part in education or training. We are at an absolutely critical time for our economy and moves like these could have a very detrimental impact on many people in need of assistance and on our prospects of creating more jobs and boosting the economy.”