THE Education Secretary stopped off at St Thomas’s Community Network and told bosses he thought it was “short-sighted” of Dudley Council to slash its funding.

Ed Balls was visiting the Beechwood Road charity with Dudley North Labour parliamentary candidate Ian Austin and was shown around the facilities by chief executive Janet Hilken, whose job is in jeopardy following a £75,000 funding cut by the council.

During his whistlestop visit, Mr Balls met teenagers on the Link to Learning Prog ramme, which offers teaching to youngsters who have been suspended from mainstream education.

He also chatted to young people on the Entry 2 Employment course, a programme set up by Connexions aimed at getting 16 to 18 year olds into jobs, work-based learning and college.

Praising the Kates Hill charity, which has been running for more than 20 years but which now hangs in the balance if bosses cannot secure funding, Mr Balls, said: “These courses get them back on track. These are the people who in the next 40 years will be paying mortgages and pensions and will be paying tax.

“This scheme is the key thing and it seems to be a short-sighted decision to cut funding.”

Trustee Cyril Woodall MBE said: “This is an important project. It’s unique – a jewel in the crown. We started from nothing and have built it up to what it is today and it is being penalised by Dudley Council.

“To withdraw funding will leave these children in limbo. It is an oasis for them.”

During his visit, Mr Balls also visited pupils at Wren’s Nest Primary School in Marigold Crescent, who have now moved into their new state-of-the-art £6.5 million school building funded by the Government.

● Meanwhile, the Shadow Immigration Minister visited Dudley on Monday to meet with residents.

Damian Green joined Dudley North Conservative parliamentary candidate Graeme Brown on a street stall to discuss residents’ views on immigration and the Tory policies to control immigration.