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.