News story

12th July 2004

MP Slams "Callous" College over Closed I.T. Course

Northavon MP Steve Webb has condemned as "callous" a proposal by Filton College to close an IT course that is widely valued by older students and disabled people. The MP said he has been inundated with complaints from local residents who are dismayed at the college's decision to cancel the "IT outreach" course currently run at Bradley Stoke Leisure Centre. The MP said he was shocked that the college regarded these students as "not a priority", and has now written to the Principal of Filton College to urge a re-think.

Steve Webb said:

"I have been struck over the last few days by just how much the current courses at Bradley Stoke are valued by the people who use them. The staff are highly regarded and have time to help people who are new to IT or who have particular needs that mean they need more support. These are just the residents who you would expect a local college to be supporting.

"The decision to stop running this course and to end existing support at Christmas is a callous and heartless decision. I appreciate that Filton College has financial pressures but it also exists to provide a public service, and courses like this should be central to that role".

Filton College has said that people already on the course will be supported until Christmas, but many people on the course had planned to continue their studies beyond Christmas. In addition, new students had been due to start the course in the Autumn.