Grenfell community and Kensington and Chelsea College to get £32.3 million further education funding boost

Government pledges up to £32.3 million to support the recovery of Kensington and Chelsea College and the local community affected by the Grenfell Tower fire.

Today, Monday 22 July, the Government has pledged up to £32.3 million to support the local community affected by the Grenfell Tower fire so they can access high-quality further education and training.

The funding is being provided by the Department for Education (DfE) and The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) to support Kensington and Chelsea College’s (KCC) planned recovery and merger with Morley College, including the purchase and refurbishment of its North Kensington campus at Wornington Road.

KCC announced in early 2019 that they plan to merge with Morley College, in order to protect learners and maintain further education provision for the local area.

The College’s North Kensington campus at Wornington Road, is currently owned by the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea. The purchase will provide a secure long-term future for KCC which is deeply embedded in the local community and will help assist their recovery following the Grenfell Tower fire tragedy.

Anne Milton, Apprenticeships and Skills Minister said:

The Grenfell Tower fire was a terrible tragedy and its impact will be felt by the local community for many years ahead. This funding will support the planned merger between Kensington and Chelsea College and Morley College so local people can get the high-quality further education and training they need.

We will continue to work in close partnership with the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government, Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea, the Greater London Authority to support this important merger and to secure the long-term recovery of the college. It is good to see everyone working across Government to make sure that Grenfell residents get much needed support.

Secretary of State for Communities, Rt Hon James Brokenshire MP said:

It is essential that two years after the Grenfell Tower tragedy, the people of North Kensington continue to get the support they deserve to help them rebuild their lives.

This includes access to good quality further education and training at the heart of their community.

It is right that we have stepped in to help secure the future of Kensington and Chelsea College and the Wornington Road site.

Minister for Grenfell Victims, the Rt Hon Nick Hurd MP said:

After the horror of the Grenfell disaster, we wanted to help build hope and opportunity in a community that has suffered so much. This decision is an important step in securing a vibrant future for a much loved Community asset. A big collective effort went into making this happen, and I pay tribute in particular to a passionate residents campaign.

This latest move builds on the action taken and significant investment already provided by the Government to support the Grenfell community following the Grenfell Tower fire tragedy.

This includes, addressing building safety and committing over £100 million to support rehousing costs, new mental health services, investment in the Lancaster West Estate and a new community space.