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...

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’ Type: conclusion | Number: 27 | Response status: under_consideration Government response: 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