College Leaders' Cuts Anger Justified - Teather

10.43.26am UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 1st May 2007

Sarah has defended North West London College in Parliament

Liberal Democrat MP for Brent East Sarah Teather has slammed the Government after the Learning and Skills Council slashed funding for adult education at North West London College.

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

The College was rated as 'outstanding' for its social and educational inclusion, with ESOL provision (English for Speakers of Other Languages) specifically commended. Yet Level 1 provision, including ESOL places, is most likely to be severely hit.

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

Local Liberal Democrat MP for Brent East Sarah Teather said:

"College leaders are justifiably angry with the Government over these crippling cuts.

"The cuts are a direct result of Government targets for higher level provision, which mean that entry level training is not a priority. This is barking mad. How do they expect anyone to progress to higher levels if they cut all the routes into the system?

"I have raised this again and again in the House of Commons but this Government just don't want to listen.

"The Labour Government want to run everything from Whitehall. They think one size fits all, but in fact one size fits no one. 1000 needy people in Brent will have their courses cut because of Government idiocy.

"The Education Secretary should come to Brent to see the problems he is causing: maybe then he will think again."