UPHOLSTERY AND SOFT FURNISHINGS

That this House applauds the work of London Metropolitan University's upholstery, soft furnishing, cabinet making and finishing students on display at the Summer Show Exhibition 2007; praises the London Met for running craft courses, which have run since the establishment of the London College of Furniture over a century ago under its original name of the Shoreditch Technical Institute; is proud of the UK's long history of traditional craftsmanship; notes the importance and value of traditional upholstery and soft furnishing skills; believes that education and training are central to the survival of the industry at large; further notes with concern the different levels of funding for students undertaking such courses at further education and higher education, with those in further education suffering approximately a £3,000 shortfall; acknowledges that at present further education qualifications are the highest that can be obtained within these craft sectors; and therefore calls upon the Government to seek to address the funding shortfall in order that London Metropolitan University and other further education colleges may maintain and develop intensive craft skills within dedicated courses for those in full and part-time education.