Ex-Labour leader Ed Miliband MP promises more breakfast clubs to Mansfield students

Mr Miliband, shadow climate change and net zero secretary was joined by Andy Abrahams, Mansfield mayor, to face questions from students at Mansfield and Ashfield Sixth Form College about education and climate concerns today, February 2.

The event, involving politics and environmental science students, followed a series of debates, Q&As and open discussions with leading figures across the health, education and political sector – students recently joined a debate about democracy with Ashfield MP Lee Anderson among others.

Students quizzed the two Labour politicians about education and the environment.

Charlie Drysdale, a politics student, asked how Labour would tackle the rising levels of inequality in education and ensure every young person in the UK had equal opportunities to higher education.

Mr Miliband said: “One specific thing we are committed to as a party is putting VAT on private school fees.

“That will bring in £1.8 billion to state education, bringing more breakfast clubs in schools and seeing more investment in education.”

He said investment in greener schools is the way forward to save on energy bills and prioritise money for education.

Ethan Revill, another 17-year-old politics student, brought up the topic of renationalising rail and bus companies, as a way of decreasing environmental impact and encouraging greater use.

Mr Miliband said: “Yes to renationalising railways – that’s the right thing to do.”

He said greater control is needed over bus services and then asked students about their experience with Mansfield bus services – with the students talking of unreliable services and long delays.

Other questions included asking the MP about renewable energy, air pollution and offshore wind farms.

Mr Abrahams took the opportunity to talk about cycle routes in Mansfield, and investment and improvement of green spaces across the district.

Afterwards, 17-year-old politics student Tilly Foulds said: “I enjoyed it, but it was nerve-wracking asking a question.”

Fellow politics student Jordyn Newton, also 17, said: “He gave straight answers unlike most politicians do. I was very happy with the answers he gave us.”

Ethan said it went well and he would “absolutely” want to become a politician in future and make positive changes in the community.