Robert Halfon pledges investigation into SFG College debacle
News / Sat 16th Sep 2023 at 11:55am
HARLOW MP Robert Halfon has pledged that there will be an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the closure of £29 million Sir Frederick Gibberd College (SFG) building due to safety concerns.
We spoke to Mr Halfon at the launch of Essex Construction Alliance(ECA) at the civic chambers.
Our interview covered aspects of the launch but as we looked out of the window at the Civic Offices, you could see the temporary structures which are being used at SFG. Therefore, we thought we would ask Robert Halfon a number of questions on the situation.
gary roberts
2023-09-16 12:21:48
"I fought for the SFG college" So it was his plan, he fought for it. Fantastic but apparently the problems were caused by someone else. Anyone else but him which is his and his government's overarching response to any problems. Don't look over here, look over there. It was them officer. They couldn't run a bath let alone a government of note.
Alderman Durcan
2023-09-16 14:57:14
He will use the run and blame strategy,standard defence from the Tory party. Happy to take the credit when is was being built.
Mark
2023-09-16 16:14:07
Perhaps Mr Halfon would like to investigate himself to find out why he voted in May to keep a report into the safety of school buildings secret. I do hope he cooperates fully with his investigation.
Luke Burton
2023-09-16 21:30:11
This is the fault of his department. He is a senior government minister in the Department for Education.
Anonymous
2023-09-16 22:53:54
He may want to get the school’s name correct, that he cares so much about!
Nick Gunning
2023-09-17 06:21:27
"Hubris" is the watchword for Halfon and his Tories. That is, if something goes right and is marketable, they own it to excess. When it starts to go wrong they thrash around for people to "throw under the bus." They haven't yet blamed the last labour government, or Chinese interference, but it'll come to that. One trouble is that schools have been funded by the County Council, as have other prefabricated buildings. You pay increased council tax to maintain safety standards, and you get talking bins!
Tiredoffailedpoliticalnorms
2023-09-17 09:50:14
Seems clear that we should be thanking god, not Mr Halfon, his government or the DfE, for the staff of SFG getting the school open. Don’t hold you breath for any one taking meaningful accountability for this mess. On the subject of apprenticeships, perhaps if the government and UKHSA, stopped dithering about the development of the former GSK site, made it available for redevelopment as lab spaces , which the UK biotech sector are crying out for (See the current redevelopment of former retail sites in Stevenage and Cambridge for this very purpose) . This would have proved the industry and jobs directly to the town along with the associated opportunity for training, skills to meaningfully enrich the town. Alas no, the site has sat empty for 13 years with no material benefit to the town. The opportunity cost is tremendous and continues to grow. Again, Mr Halfon is guilty of dropping the ball and failing the town, much as he has with the SFG debacle. Time for change.
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