THE uncertainty surrounding the future of a Cumbrian agricultural college was this week brought up in Parliament.

Newton Rigg College is earmarked for closure after an independent review found it was not ‘financially viable’.

But Dr Neil Hudson, Conservative MP for Penrith and the Border, is campaigning to secure a ‘viable future’ for the college near Penrith.

In the House of Commons this week, he called on the Department for Education and other government departments to support his campaign and said the coronavirus pandemic had thrown the importance of food production and security into ‘sharp relief’.

Responding, Gillian Keegan, under secretary of state for apprenticeships and skills, agreed with Dr Hudson that further education colleges were ‘vital’ for helping young people in rural communities to obtain ‘the skills they need’.

She said: “My officials are working with the college and stakeholders to ensure that learners and communities in and around the Eden Valley continue to have access to high-quality further education.”

Speaking after education questions in Parliament, Dr Hudson said he was ‘delighted’ Ms Keegan had agreed with him regarding the importance of further education and that her officials were working with the college.

In the meantime, Dr Hudson will continue with his cross-party campaign to save Newton Rigg. The campaign has support from Westmorland and Lonsdale MP Tim Farron and the district and county councils, among others.

Further meetings between Dr Hudson, farming industry leaders and Newton Rigg staff are taking place this week.