Education secretary Alan Johnson said the move would benefit both theeconomy and young people, who would be less likely to get involved inanti-social behaviour.
Joyce Moseley, the chief executive of youth charity Rainer, praised theproposals. "The breadth of this vision is absolutely right. This is notabout raising the school age but about keeping young people engaged ineducation and learning for longer."
But John Dunford, the general secretary of the Association of School andCollege Leaders, warned that funding must match the plans. "The diplomasare not a cheap option," he said. "It is vital that Government fundingmatches its lofty aspirations."
The England-only scheme will result in 200m in building costs and700m in running costs each year. A spokeswoman for the Departmentfor Education and Skills said the cost of doing nothing was greaterbecause each young person not in education, employment or training coststhe state 5,500 a year.
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