Labour leader Ed Milliband paid a visit to Harlow College on Friday 20th of January.

He enjoyed a brief tour of the College accompanied by apprentice Michael Travers and full-time catering student Georgina Georgiou.

Mr Milliband visited the college's Hairdressing and Beauty salons and the Applied Science Department.

After the tour, Ed addressed a mixed audience; staff, students, local business leaders and members of the local community.

Mr Milliband was introduced by Ben Murray, 20, an engineering apprentice who works for local company Qualiturn.

Ben said:

"I was pleased to get this chance. You've got to take opportunities when they're presented.
"It's important for political leaders to understand the reality of what they're recommending. They need to meet more young people at each stage of their education. They won't know the truth if they don't ask the question."

Mr Milliband spent nearly an hour talking to the audience, answering questions on topics as diverse as housing for young people, Twitter and loan sharks.

Unsurprisingly, the subject of tuition fees and the reinstatement of EMA came up, but Mr Milliband said: "We need to give young people a better deal. But I can't make promises that I can't keep."

View the TV footage of the event:

Anglia Regional News