14 Feb 2010 - New learning centre hit by Government cuts
Campaigners in south Bristol have reacted angrily to the news that the flagship new "Learning and Skills Academy" has been hit by major Government cuts before it has even opened. Local MPs and senior city councillors were invited to a stakeholder meeting by City of Bristol College principle Keith Elliott, where he explained the huge impact the cuts would have.
City of Bristol College is facing a proposed £3 million drop in funding for adult students. Up to 3,000 people could be turned away from training courses in Bristol as a result, with the principle saying cuts of this scale could threaten the city's economic recovery.
Bristol south prospective Liberal Democrat MP Dr Mark Wright was at the meeting, and asked if the nearly built South Bristol Skills Academy would be hit. To the horror of those at the meeting it was revealed that the academy would indeed be hit before it even opens, resulting in less adult provision in south Bristol - an area that desperately needs more trained skills.
Dr Wright commented, "It is utterly insane to cut training budgets and courses as the economy comes out of recession. With high unemployment and a struggling economy we need more re-training, not less. The government has lost the plot. The local Labour MP is a senior education minister - how is it that she would allow education cuts in her own back-yard?"
The local Labour MP Dawn Primarolo did not attend the meeting.