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The learning centre houses a library, one stop shop for council services.

There's also a cafe and gallery. The idea behind it is to make learning as accessible as possible, and there are a number of courses and training sessions available.

Mr Denham was joined by Barking & Dagenham鈥檚 mayor Emmanuel Obasohan, who gave him a guided tour.

He also met with students and unveiled a plaque.

Leader of the council Charles Fairbrass spoke of what an honour the visit was:

"I am delighted to welcome the secretary of state, the Rt Hon John Denham MP to the official opening of the Barking Learning Centre, a service of which we are extremely proud.鈥�

He continued: 鈥淏arking Learning Centre provides learning opportunities from basic skills through to further and higher education, specialising in education and skills development for public sector workers."

That was a message echoed by Dr Shani Gbaja, Head of UEL Extra, who are partners in the centre said: "We welcome the Minister to witness first hand how UEL is responding to the agenda of widening participation and enabling mature students to balance study with work and other commitments."