TEATHER CHALLENGES PRIME MINISTER OVER COLLEGE FUNDING SHORTFALL

4.25.47pm UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 12th Nov 2004

Sarah Teather has challenged the Prime Minister over funding for the College of North West London

Local Liberal Democrat MP Sarah Teather has this week challenged the Prime Minister at Question Time over funding for the College of North West London.

The Learning & Skills Council in West London faces an £8.1 million overspend this year, despite all colleges in the area exceeding Government targets to attract students in priority areas. Priority areas include English courses for those who don't speak English as a first language, engineering and construction. Demand is very high in Brent for these courses and the Government has placed considerable pressure on colleges to fulfil that demand.

The College of North West London is under pressure because it does not have the funding to meet demand for these courses, whilst retaining it's current academic programme. The College has been told to cut courses from its programme to ease funding pressures.

Local Liberal Democrat MP Sarah Teather said:

"The Government cannot have it both ways. On the one hand it is encouraging the College to meet demand and the other hand it is not providing the requisite funding.

"This issue is of grave concern to the College. They do not want to cut the courses to students that they offer but they are under pressure to meet demand.

"I welcome the Prime Minister's comments that he will look into the matter personally and will be writing to him to request that he honours this pledge."

Read what The Guardian said about Sarah's question to the Prime Minister http://politics.guardian.co.uk/columnist/story/0,9321,1348271,00.html

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College of North West London.