MP Quizzed by Holsworthy Pupils

Geoffrey Cox, MP for Torridge and West Devon, visited Holsworthy Community College on Friday last week to be briefed by the Principal, David Fitzsimmons, about progress at the College and to speak to staff and pupils. The MP also held a question and answer session with pupils on his role in parliament and the constituency and on political subjects of topical importance.

Geoffrey said: "As usual, the students at Holsworthy Community College asked a range of shrewd and well informed questions on the issues of the day, and we had a lively discussion on matters such as the future of farming in our area, wind turbines, pensions, education funding, higher education and apprenticeships, employment opportunities for young people, and many more. It was enormously refreshing to see how they appreciated the complexities of many of the issues that faced the government while remaining appropriately critical of shortcomings!"

The MP continued: "The Principal, David Fitzsimmons and I held a very useful discussion about the needs of the College and the challenges facing it. We agreed, in particular, that it is critical that Devon should be more fairly treated in the new arrangements that emerge from the Government's review of the current education funding formula. It is simply unacceptable that Devon should continue to receive one of the worst schools grants in the country, some £410 less per pupil than the national average. I have conveyed that message very powerfully to the Secretary of State, Michael Gove, and I believe that its importance will not have been lost on him."