David Ruffley MP has today welcomed the news that the £12.5million funding for the University Campus Suffolk project from the East of England Development Agency has been approved by the Government.

This means that the university can meet its target of opening its doors to students in September 2007.

This project could also result in a major expansion of facilities at West Suffolk College.

David said:

'The UCS project is of great importance to the region and I have backed it from the outset. It will provide Suffolk with much needed higher education facilities. This will not only enable us to attract more students to Suffolk but will also help us to retain those we already have.

'The confirmation of this funding from EEDA will mean that University Campus Suffolk is on course for a September 2007 opening. This is fantastic news for everyone in the region and it will address the fact that Suffolk is the only county in England with a population of over 500,000 people that has no higher education institution.

'I look forward to seeing the first group of students enter the doors of UCS at the start of the 2007 academic year and I would like to congratulate everyone involved on this excellent news.'