Investment to Improve Stockport College

I am pleased to share that Stockport College will receive a share of £2.5 million allocated to the Trafford & Stockport College Group from Labour’s £307 million fund to repair and modernise colleges across England. This funding is part of our wider £1.7 billion plan to bring college buildings up to modern standards by 2030.

Students will benefit from practical improvements like fixing leaky roofs, replacing broken windows, and updating worn-out heating systems. The college will decide how to spend the money, ensuring it goes where it is needed most. These upgrades will make learning more comfortable, reduce disruptions, and create spaces where students can focus and succeed.

Investing in our colleges is not just about buildings -  it is about opportunity. Modern, well-equipped colleges give young people the chance to achieve their potential. They are essential for reaching this Labour Government’s target of having two-thirds of young people taking a gold standard apprenticeship or heading to university by age 25.

Labour increased this fund by £5 million since last year after colleges called for reliable annual funding to maintain their estates. Skills Minister Jacqui Smith highlighted that “the young people in these colleges are the engineers, bricklayers, and designers of the future, and they and the dedicated staff teaching them deserve the best possible environment to learn and succeed.” This investment will repair and modernise facilities across England, giving students the spaces they need to build the skills for good careers.

I am proud to have worked with the Labour government to secure this funding for Stockport College, the heart of further education in our area. Students in Stockport will gain better facilities, better opportunities, and a renewed sense of pride in their college.

This comes after Labour announced £570 million to expand college capacity and train the next generation of skilled workers. Our Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper also sets out plans to improve teaching, from structured professional development for teachers to at least 100 hours of face-to-face English and maths for students who have not passed their GCSEs.

Labour is also introducing V levels, a new vocational pathway allowing young people to mix academic and vocational subjects. This prepares students for the jobs of tomorrow. Funding for Stockport College will be allocated soon, and I look forward to seeing the difference it makes for students and staff.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all students and staff members at Stockport College for their hard work.