Tag: Baroness Wolf of Dulwich

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Wolf of Dulwich on 2016-04-11.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many training providers in receipt of Skills Funding Agency (SFA) funding ceased trading in (1) 2011–12, (2) 2012–13, and (3) 2013–14; how much funding those providers had received from the SFA in the three years prior to their ceasing to trade; and how many of them were further education colleges.

Baroness Neville-Rolfe

The Skills Funding Agency does not hold not information on providers which have ceased trading.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Wolf of Dulwich on 2016-04-11.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many training providers were investigated for fraud or misappropriation of Skills Funding Agency funding during (1) 2011–12, (2) 2012–13, and (3) 2013–14; in how many cases there was a case to answer; and in those cases where findings of fraud or misappropriation were confirmed, which training providers were concerned.

Baroness Neville-Rolfe

Investigations will result either in no funding issues being identified or the identification of funds for recovery. Funds identified for recovery may have been mis-claimed in error or may be the result of potential fraudulent actions. The Skills Funding Agency is not a prosecuting authority so where an investigation indicates potential fraud the case is referred to the police. Fraud is not confirmed unless there is a successful criminal prosecution.

The table below shows the number of cases investigated, the number of cases where funds were identified for recovery (whether as a result of error or potential fraud), the number of cases referred to the police, the number of cases resulting in charges being brought and the outcome of prosecutions in each of the financial years 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14. Note that where a case is referred to the police it may take a significant period (up to several years) for charges to be brought.

Financial Year	2011-12	2012-13	2013-14
No. of live investigations during the year	43	34	37
No. of cases where funds were identified for recovery	20	6	9
No. of cases referred to the police	6	0	1
No. of cases where charges brought	4	–	0
Outcome of prosecutions	1 successful 2 unsuccessful 1 ongoing	–	–

The successful prosecution as a result of an investigation in 2011-12 was of David Peters who worked as an assessor for Safetycor Ltd, a subcontractor to Exeter College and Wolverhampton College.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Wolf of Dulwich on 2016-06-20.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Evans of Bowes Park on 9 May (HL7498), whether the recent inquiry and report by the Quality Assurance Agency on West London Vocational Training has led them to reconsider or amend current measures relating to alternative providers; and if not, why not.

Baroness Evans of Bowes Park

The Government has revoked West London Vocational Training College’s designation for student support funding for Higher Education (HE) courses in England with effect from 3 June. Affected students will be supported so they can continue their studies with as limited disruption as possible. The cross-agency action in this case demonstrates the Government’s continuing strong focus on improving quality and value for money across the Alternative Provider (AP) sector.

Since the 2012-13 academic year the Government has progressively strengthened systems to oversee the specific course designation of APs to secure improved quality and standards, including the introduction of a more rigorous, risk-based approach to quality assurance and annual provider re-designation.

Further reforms announced in the May 2016 HE White Paper will create a level playing field for all HE providers, supporting greater diversity, innovation and choice for students, whilst preserving quality and value for money.