Local MP, Steve Ladyman, today welcomed the announcement that Thanet College stands to gain up to £34m from the Government as part of a £2.3 billion pound strategy to develop new low carbon further education colleges throughout England. 

 "It is incredible news that this huge investment from the Government has been earmarked for Thanet College. This Labour Government has already invested in the young people of East Kent with the creation of Thanet Campus, built with land from a Labour Council and with money from the Labour Government. We are on track to see the Government putting a huge further investment into Thanet College, and breaking new ground by facilitating the building of a genuinely green college."

"Thanet College serves people from throughout my constituency, and has a key role in ensuring that our community is equipped with the skills we will need in the future."

"I wish Thanet College was not moving from its current site and an investment on this scale would suggest it could have been rebuilt at its current location but if it is to move then we want the new facility to be the best it can be and this allocation of funds means that the College can aim for the top."

"The new site will add to traffic problems and congestion in Westwood and we have still had no hint to suggest that the current Council have thought through the consequences or have a plan to cope. Nevertheless, the Council has taken that decision and we have to live with it. Now our first priority must be the standard of the new facility and the quality of educational opportunity we give to our young people. "

"As someone who wholeheartedly supports the need for top quality training for local people and who has campaigned tirelessly since entering public life in Thanet in 1995 to attract new educational opportunities for this area I am delighted that the Government is making this further commitment to the future of young people and that Thanet College is in line for this massive windfall."

Building Colleges for the Future, launched by the Department for Innovation Universities and Skills, outlines detailed proposals for the largest ever further education building works programme, which will see £2.3 billion invested over the next three years.

"In 1997, the then Conservative Government planned to spend precisely nothing on capital investment for Further Education. Labour, on the other hand, is investing in our future."