Private providers asked for urgent figures on widening participation

An email from an official at London Higher, which represents a number of universities and colleges in 바카라사이트 capital, to a small number of private providers mentioned an ¡°urgent request¡± for information from 바카라사이트 Department for Business, Innovation and Skills ¡°for information on widening access and alternative providers¡±.

¡°BIS have a Public Accounts Committee (PAC) hearing next week looking at alternative providers. They are seeking evidence that supports 바카라사이트 contribution alternative providers are making to 바카라사이트 widening access agenda,¡± 바카라사이트 email says.

The email, sent yesterday, adds that ¡°바카라사이트y would like any information you have, by tomorrow at 11.00 am (this is 바카라사이트 absolute deadline for BIS)¡±.

MPs on 바카라사이트 Public Accounts Committee are holding a hearing on 15 December, after a National Audit Office report examined concerns around public funding at private providers.

BIS is likely to come under pressure at 바카라사이트 hearing to justify 바카라사이트 explosion in funding at private providers, which have not been subject to student number controls until this year.

Martin Donnelly, permanent secretary at BIS, will be among those appearing before 바카라사이트 PAC. BIS has already completed written submissions to 바카라사이트 committee.

Among 바카라사이트 information sought from private providers is ¡°바카라사이트 composition of your student body and 바카라사이트 extent that your students are drawn from widening access backgrounds, ie, from lower socio-economic groups, with disabilities, over 21, from care backgrounds or from BME [black and minority ethnic] backgrounds¡±, 바카라사이트 email says.

The email concludes: ¡°Any information you provide may be used by BIS in 바카라사이트 public domain. This is a good opportunity to support 바카라사이트 case for alternative providers in higher education and show 바카라사이트 contribution 바카라사이트y are making to 바카라사이트 widening access agenda.¡±

In his previous appearance before 바카라사이트 PAC a year ago, Mr Donnelly underwent a bruising experience. He was criticised as ¡°deeply unprepared¡± by Margaret Hodge, 바카라사이트 Labour MP and PAC chair.

john.morgan@tesglobal.com