MP encourages Education Secretary to invest in agriculture apprenticeships in Cumbria

On the floor of the House of Commons this week, South Lakes MP Tim Farron asked the Secretary of State for Education to support the future of farming in Cumbria by investing in agricultural degree apprenticeships.

Speaking during Education oral questions in Parliament, Tim said: “Sadly, the Government did not intervene to save Cumbria’s agricultural college.

“However, will they decide to invest in agricultural degree apprenticeships, working with the University of Cumbria and Cumbria’s further education colleges, to make sure we have a pipeline of new leaders who can feed us and care for our environment through farming?”

Responding, the Education Secretary Gillian Keegan said: “When I was apprenticeships and skills Minister, we worked together to ensure we had the right college offer in the area that was sustainable.

“My right honourable Friend the Minister for Skills, Apprenticeships and Higher Education will be very happy to work on that. We are looking to expand degree apprenticeships.

“We have provision in place to work with providers to offer many opportunities, including in agriculture.”