Speaking in the House of Commons on Thursday 1st October, Dr Hudson welcomed the announcement of the Lifetime Skills Guarantee and pointed out how Newton Rigg College can play a key role in its delivery. Dr Hudson was asking the Secretary of State for Education a question during his statement on the Lifetime Skills Guarantee and post 16 Education.
Dr Hudson asked, “I really welcome the Lifetime Skills Guarantee from the Government. I firmly believe it will increase the access and flexibility to learning in both Further and Higher Education for learners young and old. As my RHF knows, Newton Rigg College in my constituency of Penrith and The Border is currently the subject of a Strategic Review by the Further Education Commissioner as we look to secure a new organisation to take over the College. Does my RHF agree with me that, if this Review is successful in securing the future of the College, that fantastic colleges like Newton Rigg will play a key role in delivering the Government’s Lifetime Skills agenda, offering training, upskilling and levelling-up across Cumbria and indeed the wider UK?”
In response to Dr Hudson’s question the chamber the Secretary of State said: “If I may thank my Honourable Friend for the time he took to talk to me and make representations about some of the concerns that he had about the issues Newton Rigg College was facing at the time and I look forward to continuing to work with him over the future of Newton Rigg College. He is right to highlight not only Newton Rigg College but colleges up and down the land in all of our constituencies play a vital role in the delivery of these qualifications and the delivery of these at the forefront on this nation’s recovery from this pandemic.”
After the Commons session Dr Hudson added: “I was pleased with the response that I received from the Minister that confirms this Government’s commitment to make sure both Higher and Further Education plays a central role in our recovery from the Covid-19. I will also continue to raise the importance of securing a positive future for Newton Rigg College with Ministers at all levels and was glad to see the Secretary of State committing to continue to work with me on this.”
