JULIA CALLS FOR LEARNING SHOP TO STAY OPEN IN CAMBORNE

1.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 28th Apr 2008

Julia Goldsworthy MP to present 1,000-signature petition to Parliament.

MP Julia Goldsworthy is calling on the Government to step in to save Camborne's Learning Shop from closure.

She has written to Ministers to express her concerns about the proposed closure of the shop on Trelowarren Street.

Next month, the Lib Dem MP will present a petition to Parliament in support of Cornwall's Learning Shops, signed by over 1,000 local people.

The petition is in protest against plans by Cornwall College to close the shops, which provide a local base for adults to learn new computer skills.

Applications for adult courses at the shops fell dramatically after the Government cut financial support to adult learning, meaning fees shot up.

Julia said that the Government's actions were directly responsible for the closures.

She said: "Because of Government cuts to adult education, hundreds of adult learners will be left without a local base to develop their skills.

"This is a disaster for local people, many of whom use the shops to improve their skills in order to get back to work, or to help them get by in an increasingly technology driven world.

"It is the usual story of the Government withdrawing support from those in Cornwall who most need it.

"I understand that Cornwall College has been faced with difficult financial decisions, thanks to Government changes to funding, but I written urging them to reconsider their decision."

June Russell, 78, from Lanner, helped set up the petition.

She said: "When Tony Blair came into power, he talked about 'education, education, education.

"But what are they doing here? They're scrapping a very important learning centre for adults.

"Older people depend on this service - the atmosphere is very welcoming and we feel at home here.

"I'm a pensioner, so I can't afford to go up to the college and do a course there. If they close the shop, that's the end of the line."

If Cornwall College goes ahead with its plan, the Learning Shop in Camborne will close in July.