CONSERVATIVE MP Caroline Nokes is urging her Government to reverse damaging funding cuts at Hampshire’s sixth form colleges.

The Romsey and Southampton North MP said the teaching of third-year students received a staggering 20 per cent less cash than allocated for young pupils.

That huge gap follows a steep funding cut for 18-yearolds, which triggered protests from Southampton college principals and MPs two years ago.

Nine of England’s 93 sixth form colleges are in Hampshire, where secondary schools have traditionally taught pupils only up to the age of 16.

They include Richard Taunton College and Itchen College, in Southampton, Barton Peveril College, in Eastleigh, Totton College and Peter Symonds College, in Winchester.

Now Ms Nokes has called for sixth form colleges to be a priority in the autumn spending review, which will decide Government funding for the next few years.

She told education ministers how vulnerable students are being disadvantaged. She said: “Spending a third year in sixth form can be vital for some students, particularly if they have suffered from mental or physical illness or have come from challenging backgrounds.

“Will my honourable friend tell me whether he has any plans to review the funding rate for 18 to 19-year-olds, which is currently 20 per cent lower than for those in the 16-to-18 group?”

In reply, schools minister Nick Boles said the funding cut had been a “difficult decision” the Coalition had made in the last parliament.

And he added: “I accept her argument that there are some individuals for whom that third year is vital.

“All of those things will be considered in the spending review, but for this financial year, the funding rates will be as announced.”

The question came ahead of today’s  decision on Ms Nokes’ bid to be chairwoman of the Commons education select committee, in a ballot of all MPs.