YORK Outer MP Julian Sturdy has urged the Prime Minister to make sure vocational and technical education is equal to academic education, so young people are ready for skilled jobs.

At Prime Minister’s Questions in the House of Commons, Mr Sturdy asked Theresa May for reassurance about vocational education once Britain leaves the EU.

Replying, the Prime Minister said it was essential to addressing Britain’s productivity gap.

Speaking later Mr Sturdy said he was encouraged by the Prime Minister’s answers.

He added: “Fantastic institutions in York are already working hard to give young people the education they will need to obtain skilled jobs and drive increases in productivity and living standards. Improving the skills of our workforce is all the more important as we leave the EU and seek new trade opportunities across the world, and I will be watching to see that our city gets its fair share of new funding for vocational education.”