MP blasts further education cuts

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Sat 1st Jul 2006

David Howarth, MP for Cambridge, has today revealed that the Government plans to cut funding to Cambridge Regional College again next year

The information that the further education college will have its adult education funding cut by 6.9% next year was revealed in a meeting between Mr Howarth and Education Minister, Phil Hope. Overall the college will see a cut of 0.3% in funding for 2007/8.

Mr. Howarth commented:

"The Government's continued policy is to under-fund education in Cambridge. The budget cuts to Cambridge Regional College are becoming an annual affair and it is proving more and more difficult for the college to maintain its community services.

Cambridge Regional College faces continued budget cuts

"We are an area with a large population that is continuing to grow and yet we receive less money per head than many other areas around the country for further education. It is time that this balance is redressed and the urgent need for education and skills in the area are addressed."