Local MP Raises Alarm Over Adult Skills Cuts at Harrogate College

Tom Gordon, Liberal Democrat MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, has raised the alarm over a £90,000 cut to Harrogate College’s adult skills budget – warning that the decision risks shutting down vital training and job opportunities for local residents.

The funding reduction, introduced by the new York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority under Labour Mayor David Skaith, comes at a time when investment in skills and retraining is more important than ever. Tom said the decision would leave Harrogate College with fewer resources to support adult learners, at a time when many are already struggling to access training and upskilling opportunities.

Speaking in Parliament today, Tom questioned whether devolved authorities like the new Combined Authority can effectively support communities without being properly resourced. He called on the Government to ensure that when powers are devolved, they are matched with adequate funding to prevent essential services, like these, from being lost.

The adult skills budget supports local residents to gain new qualifications, retrain for different careers, or access further learning to help them secure employment. Tom warned that cuts to this fund are not just damaging to individuals but to the wider economy, reducing the pipeline of skilled workers local businesses depend on.

This latest setback follows recent progress to secure Harrogate College’s future, after Tom successfully campaigned for the Government to honour its £20 million commitment to redevelop the site, repeatedly raising the issue in Parliament and meeting with the Minister. That investment, now secured, offers the college a great opportunity to modernise facilities and expand opportunities. 

Commenting, Tom said: 

“The cuts to Harrogate College’s adult skills budget by Mayor Skaith highlight a fundamental problem: devolving responsibility without providing the funding to match simply doesn’t work. 

“When devolved authorities are handed new powers but not the resources to deliver, it’s our communities that pay the price. 

“This funding helps people retrain, return to work, and build better futures. Slashing it risks cutting off opportunity for those who need it most. Harrogate College should be supported to thrive, not forced to scale back because of inadequate funding.”

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