'College mergers could increase risk of failure'

Jim McMahon MP

OLDHAM MP Jim McMahon has called for the immediate scrapping of the Area Based Review and proposals for structural change among Further Education in Greater Manchester.

Mr McMahon, MP for Oldham West and Royton, argues that proposals to merge some colleges in Greater Manchester will not make them financially better off but will instead increase the risk of major failure and threaten to disrupt improvements and diminish the experience of learners.

In 2015 the Government set out its proposals to re-structure the further sector, including 37 area revisions aimed at creating strong and financially resilient colleges.

However Mr McMahon argued that the process had been "mired in mistrust and manipulation" since its early days with plans changed "with little rationale" and "without proper consideration to the impact on neighbouring providers".

Plans to merge Oldham, Tameside and Stockport colleges were scrapped earlier this year after being called off by the Department for Education's Further Education Commissioner.

Mr McMahon said: "Area based reviews did have the potential to transform further education in Greater Manchester.

"There is undoubtedly a need to match further education with the skills demanded from local economies.

"And of course we want to see stable colleges laying the foundations for young people's careers.

"But the government has some gall promoting strong and financially stable colleges, whilst colleges are hit with a barrage of cuts and poorly thought through national policy changes.

"The Government has been heavy handed with local colleges, and the Further Education Commissioner has made matters worse by intervening directly without transparency from local and national politicians, and without referencing the wider plan for the City Region.

"There is no point in devolution if Greater Manchester simply dances to the tune of disconnected civil servants. We need strong political leadership to deliver a fair and balanced review which starts and ends at the best outcomes for learners in the city region."