If we want to broaden avenues of opportunities for youngsters, we need to make sure there are a healthy range of organisations providing a choice of educational pathways, particularly as pupils mature.

With that in mind, I have joined the national campaign for fairer funding for local sixth form colleges. One easy way to achieve fairer funding would be allow such colleges to receive a VAT rebate, as schools currently do. I dropped in on Esher College recently to express my support with principal Dan Dean and local students (pictured below).