by NEETA DUTTA

A government minister, who is said to be an inspiration to young people, toured some of Barnet's schools.

Lord Andrew Adonis, parliamentary under-secretary of state for schools, visited The Compton School, Summers Lane, North Finchley; Christ Church, Hilton Avenue, North Finchley, and East Barnet School, Chestnut Grove, East Barnet, where the recently appointed minister answered questions.

After growing up on a council estate in King's Cross, Lord Adonis worked in journalism before becoming education and constitution policy adviser for Prime Minister Tony Blair, and was appointed a life peer in May.

John Marshall, Barnet Council's cabinet member for education and lifelong learning, believes Lord Adonis' background is an inspiration to young people.

He said: "That is what education should be about. It should be the British dream."

Lord Adonis' support of university top-up fees has made him unpopular in some areas, but he defended his view to concerned students.

"We need to understand what they are for and how it works," he said. "The repayment of the fees takes place after graduation, and graduates will be able to pay it back better than those in low-paid jobs."

He touched upon the issue of the fall in funding for adult recreational courses, but had to admit that he was not familiar with Barnet College's struggle to provide reasonably priced courses for adults, due to re-direction of funding into getting 16 to 19 year olds back into education.

He said: "It is not just a local issue but a national one. Fees for adult courses have been rising across the board. Getting young people back into education is a priority."

The minister appeared to enjoy his time in Barnet, remarking: "I am very impressed with what I have seen." But he did get confused at one point when he was at East Barnet School, he told his audience that he was pleased to be in East Finchley.