Tom Gordon has secured a meeting with the Minister for Skills about the funding for Harrogate College's rebuild.
The money was required to be used by March 2026, but planning delays meant that the funding has been put in jeopardy.
Since Tom first voiced concerns about the funding, the Government has refused to commit to extending the funding period.
The £20 million funding was secured through the Department for Education’s Further Education Capital Transformation Fund (FETCF), to pay for a major rebuild.
The project is now in jeopardy due to unforeseen planning delays. Tom has twice previously requested a meeting with the Secretary of State, but was rebuffed both times, with the Government refusing to commit to the funding.
However, last week’s budget promised hundreds of millions for education, including capital projects for Further Education.
Yesterday (Monday) Tom had the opportunity to ask the government minister responsible for education if she would agree to meet with him to discuss the project’s funding. She agreed to ensure that Tom can meet with the Minister for Skills.
Tom said:
“I’ve spent months trying to get the Minister to meet with me about the Harrogate College funding. Whilst it’s great to secure a meeting with the Minister, the job is not done.
"I will continue to fight hard for the College to keep the funding it desperately needs. I look forward to being able to set out the College’s case."
Tom added:
“Investing in our young people is so important. I want to make sure that Harrogate College keeps the vital rebuild money, so that they can continue to provide skills to young people across Harrogate and Knaresborough, and further afield.
"I’m glad the budget included action to provide funding for Further Education, but we need to make sure that Harrogate College keeps the funding it has already been promised.
“Harrogate College has been a cornerstone of education in the region, offering essential qualifications and training, particularly in areas crucial to combating climate change, such as clean energy and retrofit skills. To lose that would be a massive loss to our corner of Yorkshire.”
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