It's the time of year when teenagers across Greater Manchester are preparing to take their GCSEs and pondering what comes next in their education. But today The Northern Agenda reveals a 'shocking' North-South divide over where young people can enhance their life chances by taking A-Levels.
Analysis of Government data shows there are eight Parliamentary constituencies in England where there are no schools or sixth form colleges, either independent or state-run, offering A-Levels - including Bolton West, Bury South and Stalybridge and Hyde, Tameside.
Of the eight areas - which also include Barnsley East, Blackpool South, Bolsover, Dudley South and Houghton and Sunderland South - all but two are in the North of England. An MP in one of the affected areas said it was 'unacceptable' to not have a sixth form in her constituency and that it was vital for young people to have 'proper opportunities' locally.
