LOCAL COLLEGES LOSE A SHOCKING £84 m IN FUNDING FREEZE (Eastleigh Liberal Democrats)

Eastleigh Liberal Democrats <enquiries@eastleighlibdems.org.uk>

LOCAL COLLEGES LOSE A SHOCKING £84 m IN FUNDING FREEZE

November 16, 2009 9:45 AM

Chris during his last visit to Eastleigh College Eastleigh MP Chris Huhne has uncovered the true cost to local colleges of the delays in funding for building projects by the Learning and Skills Council.

Figures revealed in answer to Mr Huhne's Parliamentary Question show that Barton Peveril College and Eastleigh College combined stand to lose £84 million of funding.

The money had been earmarked for new building projects already approved in principle by the Government's Learning and Skills Council (LSC).

Both colleges had been encouraged by the LSC to bring forward plans for new buildings and facilities to improve skill training for local youngsters. Both spent substantial sums on surveyors', architects' and other professional fees.

However, in January 2009 the Learning and Skills Council announced that these building projects would have to be delayed due to problems with funding. The estimated cost of Barton Peveril's project was £44 million, and for Eastleigh College it was £40 million.

Throughout Hampshire, projects worth £762 million have been affected, the parliamentary answer and accompanying letter show.

Commenting on the figures, Chris Huhne said:

"It is a travesty when the education of the next generation is crucial to new jobs and competition in global markets that the LSC has scuppered funding for two excellent local colleges among many others across Hampshire.

"This funding freeze has a knock on effect for the local economy too. With many construction workers unemployed, it is now more than ever that we should be pressing ahead with new projects, rather than all but consigning them to the scrapheap.

"There is no better time for the taxpayer to get value for money in building capital projects like these that will prove their worth over many years."

ENDS

Notes:

1. The answer to Chris Huhne is here: http://www.theyworkforyou.com/wrans/?id=2009-10-21a.292496.h&s=Huhne+Learning+Skills+Council#g292496.q0

2. A copy of the letter laid in the Library of the House of Commons can be accessed by emailing eastleighldp@btconnect