Sarah Backs College In Commons

4.48.09pm GMT Fri 11th May 2007

Sarah has spoken up for North West London College in parliament

Sarah Teather, Brent's local Liberal Democrat MP and the Shadow Secretary of State for Education, has tabled a parliamentary motion calling on the Government to think again over the huge cuts to adult education at North West London College.

Despite receiving a 'good' Ofsted report this January, the college was threatened with being forced to scrap over 1000 places and 50 members of staff, 7% of the workforce.

Although the college will now receive minimal 'transitional' funding for the next year, they have been warned that, in future years, residual work in colleges (which includes Level 1 vocational provision and lower level English for Speakers of Other Languages) must be reduced further.

College leaders have directly blamed Government targets for the cuts, which they claim will fall heavily on Black and Ethnic Minority Women.

Teather's motion calls on the Government to reassess the College's funding and to pay 'greater attention to the ethnic diversity and individual circumstances of Brent'. No Labour MPs have yet backed the motion.

Local Liberal Democrat MP for Brent East Sarah Teather said:

"College leaders are justifiably angry with the Government over these crippling cuts. Yet again the Government have taken a shortsighted, one size fits all approach, which rides roughshod over our particular circumstances in Brent.

"We have a diverse population, many of whom don't speak English as their first language and need extra help before they can progress to higher level training. If the Government cut entry level courses they are forcing thousands of vulnerable learners out of education for good.

"It was right that I brought these crippling cuts to the attention of the House of Commons. The Government must now listen to college leaders in Brent and promise to think again."

Related Link:

Read Sarah's Commons motion.