DUDLEY MP Ian Austin has been elected by his Labour peers to serve on the Education Select Committee.

The committee scrutinises the work of the Department for Education and its ministers, covering issues such as early years support for families, school standards, apprenticeships and training.

Mr Austin is keen to focus on education and skills in Dudley and has been working with Dudley College to develop new facilities and helping Ellowes Hall secure funding for a new sports hall.

He said: “I’ve been saying for a long time that we need to make education and skills Dudley’s number one priority to attract new businesses and jobs to replace the ones that we’ve lost.

“Too few local young people are getting good grades, taking apprenticeships and going to the best universities.

“I think young people in Dudley can do just as well as anyone else, so I’ll be using my place on the committee to push for sharp improvements in school results in places like Dudley.”