More than 60 redundancies from Harrogate College following government cuts

Between 2011 and 2015 67 staff were lost from the town campus which forms part of the Hull College Group.

Redundancies in the last five years were the result of spending cuts following the national Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR).

A spokesperson for the Hull College Group said: "During the last five years Harrogate College and the Further Education sector as a whole have been required to respond to an ever changing market as well as changes in government funding.

Harrogate College has a responsibility to ensure the efficient use of public funds and has put in place measures to improve efficiency. Staff have been re-deployed to strategic priority areas and any redundancies referred to have been voluntary of the course of five years, reflecting part of this process to improve efficiency."

Cuts were also made at campus sites in Goole and Hull giving the group a total number of 385 redundancies in the five year period.

The most redundancies were made in 2011 - some 171 people faced unemployment - when the CSR led to a 25 per cent reduction in the group's budgets.

The extensive role shake-up saw the college group spend more than £2,747,454 in redundancy payouts as a result.

But despite nearly £3 million going towards cut staff members, the group maintains it is actually investing money in the future of its college sites.

A spokesperson for the group added: "The college is committed to investing in its future and is currently embarking on a £6 million capital investment that will ensure that we continue to provide an outstanding an attractive learning environment and equip students with the in demand skills required to progress into work."

The investment into the Harrogate site will see the construction of brand new industry standard facilities for students to the college.

The project includes the building of a new technical centre to house motor vehicle and construction workshops

Part of the campus will also be transformed into an on site ‘high street’ complete with hair and beauty salons a refectory and restaurant - all of which are open to the public.

A two floor extension on the existing building structure is also being made to house the kitchens, state of the art sciene labs and new art and design studios.

The project which is part funded by the Local Enterprise Partnership is due to be completed in September.