MALVERN'S MP has slammed college group WCG for rejecting her offer of mediation in saving Malvern Hills College.

West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin said she wrote to college group WCG in the hope talks over the future of the college could re-start.

Despite this, Mrs Baldwin claims her offer was rejected by WCG in what she called a "terse" letter.

According to Mrs Baldwin, WCG chairman Peter Manford wrote: "We disagree with most if not all the views you have expressed but think that there is nothing to be gained for either of us in debating these.

"We have reconsidered your offer of mediation for which we are grateful but do not consider that a process of that kind will progress matters in this situation."

WCG announced in November 2020 that it was looking to close the college, saying it was "no longer viable" financially to keep it open.

Since then a campaign has been launched to try and save it, culminating in a vigil in Priory Park against the decision.

Mrs Baldwin added: "I was saddened by the tone of this letter.

"I’ve worked hard throughout this process to represent my constituents to try and find a mutual win for WCG and the community, and see teaching returned to the popular college.

"I can't think of any other public body that has ever treated me in this brusque way."

In response to Mrs Baldwin, a WCG spokesperson accused the MP of playing the "blame game" over the college.

They said: "The Government has confirmed to us, Harriett Baldwin and the council that there is "no functional need for this college site in Malvern to deliver ESFA-funded provision in addition to other sites available in Malvern

"On that basis we find it disappointing that others have sought to personalise this issue and turn it into a “blame game” which might elevate profile, but does little to help find a solution.

"The purpose of WCG is to deliver education, to raise aspiration and to match skills training with economic need, so we would only ever take the step of closing a site as a last resort and after exploring all options.

"The Malvern site, which we continue to maintain while it is closed, provided adult leisure courses and in 2019 the average age of a student was 66 years old.

"We had hoped the community may purchase the site on mutually agreed terms this has not proved possible."