27
In July 2020, the government published an independent review of college financial oversight by Dame...
Conclusion
In July 2020, the government published an independent review of college financial oversight by Dame Mary Ney. The review made a number of recommendations with a view to improving the support individual colleges and the sector received, and enhancing oversight and intervention arrangements. Dame Mary proposed a new, more nurturing relationship between government and colleges.50 In written evidence, the Association of Colleges described the existing intervention regime as “very negative”.51 The ESFA acknowledged that intervention—including the use of the word—jarred with the sector. It told us that it was taking action in response to Dame Mary’s report, including moving the FE Commissioner into the ESFA, to present a more joined-up approach to intervention.52 The Department’s strategy for further education
Government Response
Acknowledged
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
Between November 2014 and March 2019, the ESFA paid £253 million to 36 colleges which had serious cashflow problems. The purpose of this emergency funding was to help the colleges maintain their teaching and other services for learners. At the beginning of this period, government’s intention was that all the emergency funding would be repayable. However, at March 2020, the ESFA had categorised 39% of the total (£100 million) as non-repayable.42
Source
Committee
Public Accounts Committee
Report
Thirty-Eighth Report - Managing colleges’ financial sustainability
27 Jan 2021
HC 692
Addressee Bodies
HM Treasury
Timeline
Recommendation age
5.3 yrs
Report published
27 Jan 2021