MP urges DEFRA to directly fund Newton Rigg college to save it from impending closure

South Lakes MP Tim Farron has written to DEFRA Secretary George Eustice, making the case for the Government to directly fund Newton Rigg college.

Yesterday it was announced that the college is set to close next year, following an independent review which concluded that the site was not financially viable.

In his letter to the Secretary of State, Tim asked the Government to consider adopting the Northern Ireland model where National Agricultural Colleges are directly funded by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs.

Tim said: "This is devastating news.

"It would be totally unacceptable for Newton Rigg college to close with a loss of 117 jobs and a loss of opportunity for generations to come.

"We should be investing hugely in producing, training and encouraging the coming generation of those who will care for our land and produce our food.

"That's why I've written to George Eustice, the Environment Secretary to ask him to intervene to make Newton Rigg a national agricultural college."