Work in Parliament

AoC’s public affairs team has over 25 years experience of working with MPs in Westminster and with Government departments in Whitehall. Liaising with all political parties (not just the party or parties in Government), we lobby to make sure they create policies that are beneficial to member colleges and suggest amendments to legislation. We undertake our work with the help of college principals and sometimes with chairs of governors.

As well as maintaining good contacts with key MPs, regular activities include suggesting Parliamentary Questions, submitting written evidence to select committees and producing briefings for MPs to inform debates in both Houses. We brief principals on how to manage their relationship with their local MPs and advise on opportunities to speak directly to MPs on issues that concern them. We also put principals forward to provide spoken evidence to select committees. We are delighted whenever an MP pays tribute to the work their local college is doing or a Minister speaks highly of the sector.

Recent Work in Parliament publications View all

  • Public Affairs - 23/07/2020

    In this weeks briefing we cover catch up funding for 16 to 19-year-olds, Minister Keegan meets with AoC High Volume Apprenticeships Group, HMT launches comprehensive spending review, education select committee continues their COVID-19 inquiry, select committees want to hear from FE students, Independent Commission on the College of the Future launches vision statement, Universities Minister launches higher education restructuring regime, public sector pay rises announced, AoC presents at all-party parliamentary groups, and Lord asks question on colleges.
    Published: 

    23 Jul 2020

  • Public Affairs - 16/07/2020

    In this weeks briefing we cover: FE reform ambassadors appointed, Education Select Committee releases its report on grading and assessment, Education Select Committee with Michelle Donelan as witness, Ministerial Written Statement on the Ney Report on College Finances, AoC high volume apprenticeship provider group (HVAAG) meets with Minister and Shadow Minister, Immigration points system information, Colleges at a briefing round table for Minister Keegan on T-Level Transitions, UK travel quarantine changes come into effect, UK Council for International Student Affairs launched a position paper for the UK international education, College funding question in the House of Lords.
    Published: 

    15 Jul 2020

  • Public Affairs - 09/07/2020

    This week we cover: Education Secretary commits to 'levelling up' FE, Chancellor’s Summer Economic Update, Treasury Questions, Education Select Committee meets to discuss Apprenticeships and Further Education, Save the 16+ Oyster Campaign, No one should be left behind in the Summer Economic Update – Robert Halfon MP and “Colleges are at the heart of their communities” – Toby Perkins MP.
    Published: 

    09 Jul 2020

  • Public Affairs - 02/07/2020

    This weeks public affairs briefing includes the reopening of colleges, the London transport campaign, 16-18 catch up update, Prime Minister's speech, local lockdowns, Shadow Secretary of State appointed, and a reminder to write to your MP.
    Published: 

    02 Jul 2020

  • Public Affairs - 25/06/2020

    This weeks public affairs briefing includes David Hughes appears before the education select committee, Education Select Committee publishes AoC's response to the inquiry in to Adult Education and Lifelong Learning, REBUILD; Skills led recovery & upcoming Chancellors recovery statement, catch up premium for schools announced, education questions focus on FE and 16-19 year olds, House of Lords pushes for commitment to Erasmus+, Rebecca Long-Bailey stood down as Shadow Secretary of State for Education, shaping the Apprenticeship Guarantee, and next steps in releasing lock down announced.
    Published: 

    25 Jun 2020

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