HUDDERSFIELD MP Barry Sheerman joined a Commons attack on spending cuts which will hit careers services.

He was one of several Labour MPs who took part in a Westminster debate about the future of careers advisers.

Shadow education secretary Andy Burnham attacked “well-connected” Government ministers who used family contacts to help their children into white collar jobs.

Mr Burnham wants all pupils to have face-to-face consultations with school careers advisers, but accused a “self-perpetuating elite” of boosting their own youngsters’ prospects.

Labour’s former education select committee chairman Mr Sheerman said: “Face-to-face careers advice will be available – it will be available in the public schools, in independent schools, in the most elite and privileged schools in this country.

“It just won’t be available to most schools.”

The Opposition motion calling for more advisors was defeated by 88 votes.