Question to the Department for Education:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of education provision in Cumbria, following the closure of Askham Bryan College’s Newton Rigg campus; whether they have made any legal assessment of the implications of the closure of that institution; and what discussions they have had with the Further Education Commissioner regarding its closure.

A comprehensive analysis of local provision needs for Newton Rigg and the surrounding area was undertaken in 2020 by the Further Education Commissioner and the Education and Skills Funding Agency. The core objective of this analysis was to establish if there was a need for college provision within the general vicinity of Newton Rigg campus. It considered the location of neighbouring further education colleges in relation to travel to learn options and identified that the majority of enrolments could be accommodated at other statutory further education institutions. Where gaps in provision were identified, alternative arrangements for the next academic year have been introduced to ensure continuity of delivery after Newton Rigg closes.

If further evidence of gaps in provision are highlighted as a result of the closure of Newton Rigg in support of local authorities’ statutory duty to secure provision in an area, the Education and Skills Funding Agency will consider requests to fill a gap in provision. Where this cannot be met through negotiation with good existing providers the requirements are put out to tender through open competition.

We routinely consider the legal implications of decisions that are made.

Officials from the Education and Skills Funding Agency continue to work closely with the Further Education Commissioner’s team with regard to the closure of Newton Rigg.