13 May 2021
MP Urges College to Accept Community Bid in Queen’s Speech Debate

West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin has urged the Warwickshire College Group board to accept a community-led bid during a debate on the Government’s new legislative agenda in the House of Commons.

The MP was speaking in the debate on the Queen’s Speech and highlighted the proposed Malvern Hills College closure as well as the campaign to buy back the site and re-start learning at the historic teaching venue.

The debate was opened by Education Secretary Gavin Williamson, who met with Harriett to discuss the closure last December.

Harriett said: “I’ve worked closely with the bid team as they carry out negotiations to buy the site back from Warwickshire College Group and the board will consider its response next week.

“Today’s theme in the ongoing Queen’s Speech debate was education and I felt it was important to raise the Malvern Hills College sale as Parliament discusses the importance of developing skills as part of our recovery plan post-pandemic.

“I’ve worked closely with local benefactors, councillors and other stakeholders and we are all keen to see learning continue at the Malvern site.  I understand the offer is fair and I’ve written to the board urging them to accept it and I hope that this will bring a swift resolution.”