Ed Murphy has raised the need to ensure that higher education in Peterborough is fit for the 21 Century at this years Labour Party Conference and he met with John Denham the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills to determine how Peterborough University can become a centre of excellence for the Environment.

Peterborough has ambitions to become the environment capital of Britain, with over 4000 people already working in this sector. Peterborough people want to have a local University and there is a need to ensure that student numbers are expanded. Peterborough has ambitious sustainability plans with new carbon neutral homes being constructed.

This will be a key election pledge from the “Elect Ed Murphy” campaign team Ed Murphy said “Many people have told me how Peterborough needs to support a large student population and how this would make the city more dynamic and interesting. Degrees can now be taken in many subjects at the Regional College site and there are plans to go for full university status – to support this we need many  more students and it would be great to see a school for sustainability and environmental studies developed.

With the support of local civic leaders, business and the Labour government this can become a reality, our health facilities and secondary schools have recently seen unprecedented investment levels and now it is time for significant funding for higher education” Ed Murphy has written to the secretary of State outlining the development plan and highlighted the need to develop local skills in construction to ensure that local; residents benefit from developments as presently there is a shortage of trainers and people with the necessary skills. He pointed out growing desire for development of a city green quarter and concern for environmental issues.

Ed added “we are at a tipping point in Peterborough which we need to get right if we are to grow the right way and that means putting the environment and improving residents’ prosperity at the top of the agenda. I shall be persuing how we can make Peterborough proud and positive of its environmental development plans”.

For more information contact Ed Murphy Tel   0777 9333 1920