Bradford College

College Dismay at Funding Freeze

Bradford College has expressed its dismay and frustration after government funding for a £120 million new campus was put on hold.

The Government’s Learning & Skills Council (LSC) announced a national freeze on funding last week for 144 capital investment applications from colleges across the country after revealing that it did not have the money to support them.

Bradford College’s plans had been fully discussed with the LSC over a number of years and had been approved by the LSC’s National Capital Committee.

Like most colleges who have applications on hold, Bradford has gone ahead in good faith and invested significant time and money, currently over £2million, in progressing the project for final LSC approval.

Michele Sutton, OBE, Bradford College Principal and Chief Executive said: “The development of a new £120million Bradford College campus will provide the people, communities and businesses of Bradford with what they deserve – one of the most innovative learning environments in the country.”

“So, after receiving assurances by the LSC throughout the process that funding would be available to fund the development, this news comes as a very nasty shock.”

“The development is integral to the regeneration of the City of Bradford and is a key feature of the Learning Quarter. Bradford College is at the forefront of delivering education and skills to 23,000 school leavers, businesses and adults and increasingly more who have been affected by the recession so it is vital that we receive this investment.”

“It is estimated that up to 350 construction industry jobs would be created by the development of the College campus, with further jobs created down the supply chain.”

Gerry Sutcliffe, MP for Bradford South and Minister for Sport, said: “Since 1997 more than £2billion has been invested in modernising FE facilities and a further £2.3 billion committed in the current spending phase.”

“But FE colleges have submitted more schemes than can be funded in the current spending round so the LSC has appointed an independent reviewer to prioritise the schemes.”

“Obviously we all want Bradford College’s fantastic plans to be a top priority for the LSC and I’m sure that all of the districts politicians, whatever their party, will get behind the College’s lobbying campaign.”

“We want to be able to demonstrate to Ministers, the LSC and the independent assessor the fantastic benefits the College’s plans will bring to Bradford and to explain how they are an integral part of Bradford’s ambitious regeneration plans.”

Gerry added: “I have already pledged to work with the College to ensure that we put Bradford’s case in the most effective way.”