The Labour Government has announced 5 Defence Technical Excellence Colleges (DTECs) across England, supported by £50m in funding.

This is a commitment that the Government made in the Defence Industrial Strategy, and is now delivering on.

DTECs will be existing further education colleges, recognised for providing ‘technical excellence’ and high-quality defence-focused education. They will provide training and education in crucial skills required by the defence sector, for students aged 16+, giving young people and adults the opportunity to gain the skills necessary to work well-paid, highly-skilled jobs and careers in the defence sector.

·      Major expansion of school-based nurseries to deliver cost of living support worth up to £8,000 a year, with more nursery places in Rotherham from September to help parents balance work and family life

·      Comes as Labour’s early years policies half the cost of childcare, saving parents £8,000 on average and bringing costs back to 2005 levels

·      Families in Rotherham to feel the benefit of accessible and affordable childcare, as part of Labour’s plan to cut the cost of living

“The publication of the Government’s Steel Strategy is a landmark moment for steel production in the UK.’ 

‘As Rotherham’s Member of Parliament, I spent more than a decade urging the previous Government to defend the vital strategic asset our steel sector represents, and to recognise its vast potential to drive the UK economy.’

 ‘The Labour Government has done more for steel in just two years than has been achieved in decades. Their commitment to our steel industry, including stepping in to protect steel assets facing closure in Rotherham, has come as a breath of fresh air.’