HUDDERSFIELD MP Barry Sheerman has accused the Government of not being prepared to introduce its new education diploma system next year.

Mr Sheerman, Labour chairman of the Commons Education Select Committee, told MPs there were worries about the situation.

The first five vocational diploma subjects are due to be introduced in schools and colleges in September next year as part of a shake-up of the education system for 14 to 19-year-olds.

At Question Time Mr Sheerman said there was enormous enthusiasm from schools, colleges and industry about the new qualifications.

But he added that during visits to colleges he had found there were still worries about getting them up and running at high quality on time.

He called on Education Secretary Alan Johnson to guarantee new resources and energy to make the diplomas a success.

Mr Johnson said: "We are determined that through the process that we've introduced we will be ready with those first five diplomas by 2008.

"There is absolutely nothing that has come to me so far that suggests that we are anything other than on track to achieve that."