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Prime minister hopeful Boris Johnson has backed extra funding for the FE sector.Ìý

In his campaign launch speech, the former foreign secretary said the government shouldÌý"do more to fund our amazing FE colleges, which have all too often been forgotten".

Quick read:ÌýSchool funding race: Hancock outbids Gove and Johnson

More on this:ÌýHave Tory leadership candidates forgotten about FE?

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Why isn'tÌýFE a political priority?

He said we must "end the injustice of our education funding gap, both in primary and secondary schools" and "give young people everywhere the same tools and the same freedom and the same confidence to succeed."

"It should be our fundamental moral purpose as a government to bridge not just the wealth gap, not just the productivity gap, but the opportunity gap between one part of the UK and another. And I know we can do it."

Last week, chief executive of the Association of Colleges David Hughes wrote to the candidates running for the leadership of the Conservative Party,Ìýurging them to support the further education sector. He said thatÌý"colleges exist in every community in all four nations and are well-placed to help you tackle these tough challenges from your very first day in Number 10".Ìý

Writing for Tes this week, Mr Hughes said: "The letter goes on to set out three ways they can help: implement theÌýAugar recommendations, raise the 16 to 18 base rate and inject capital into college estate and technology. Simple."