Rochdale should offer degree courses, say Lib Dems

Rochdale Sixth Form College and Hopwood Hall could offer full, full-time University degree courses if local Liberal Democrats have their way. The idea is one of the central planks of their local election manifesto. Now local Lib Dem Leader, Councillor Andy Kelly has written to Universities Minister Jo Johnson MP to ask for a meeting to discuss the proposals.

Councillor Kelly said: "Hopwood Hall and Rochdale Sixth Form College do an outstanding job for our young people. Their results have been really encouraging and it's clear that our colleges are now ready for the next step up. Towns of similar sizes like Oldham, Bolton and Huddersfield offer full, full-time university degree courses and I think this would be a great boost for Rochdale if we were able to deliver this. It seems ridiculous that people from our Town have to travel miles for a degree. We have the facilities here, the expertise and now we need the will to make it happen.

"Not only is this a common sense idea, but it would also give our young people more of an opportunity to study from home. I think many young people and families would value the choice."

Local Lib Dem Education Spokesperson, and Smallbridge and Firgrove candidate, Kitt Budd said: "As a full-time student at Manchester Metropolitan University with a young family, I would have definitely considered studying closer to home. It would have saved me a considerable amount of money and time. I'm delighted to back this campaign think that would be an enormous boost to our town and our economy."