UCU calls for urgent action to save college building projects

Responding to a critical report from Sir Andrew Foster, which criticised the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) for funding delays to 144 college building projects, the union said seeking solutions rather than apportioning the blame was vital to sorting out the mess.
 
The report singled out 'a lack of leadership and long-term planning' for creating a problem that it described as 'predictable and probably avoidable.' UCU has asked for a meeting with the minister for further education, Sion Simon, and said today that it will also write to the chancellor, Alistair Darling, to add its support to calls for additional treasury funds to help solve a problem that could threaten as many as 10,000 jobs in the construction industry.
 
UCU general secretary Sally Hunt said: 'Urgent steps need to be taken now to sort this mess out. Apportioning blame will not get any buildings built, and the government must act now to support further education in meeting the challenges of the recession. We will be writing to the chancellor to urge him to step in with treasury funds to sort this mess out.
 
'Colleges can play a key role in helping to retrain adults, especially those made redundant, but they need a proper infrastructure. The sector desperately needs the funding for new purpose-built buildings and up-to-date equipment.'