University of Greater Manchester Investigation: Regulator Accused of ‘Asleep at the Wheel’
A damning accusation of negligence has been leveled against England’s higher education regulator, the Office for Students (OfS), amid mounting concerns over its delayed response to allegations of fraud, bullying, and mismanagement at the University of Greater manchester.
A Member of Parliament has publicly criticized the OfS for its perceived inaction, raising serious questions about its ability to effectively oversee the UK’s university sector. Phil Brickell, the MP for Bolton West – whose constituency borders the campus – alleged that the “glacial speed at which the ofs is moving has caused significant harm – not just for the staff and students but [also] for the wider town,” Brickell said.
He further emphasized that current students,staff,and alumni have repeatedly contacted him with concerns regarding poor governance and a lack of transparency. According to brickell,this lack of haste from the OfS erodes confidence in its ability to adequately regulate universities,especially during a period of significant challenges within the sector.
In a strongly worded letter addressed to Education Secretary bridget Phillipson, Brickell detailed the “significant delay” in the OfS’s declaration of a formal investigation. This delay occurred months after an extensive investigation initiated by the Manchester Mill news site in February, and after inquiries were launched by Greater Manchester Police (GMP). Brickell informed Phillipson that the delay would likely exacerbate the anxieties of the numerous whistleblowers who have come forward over the past ten months. He also noted that some individuals had directly raised their concerns with the OfS even before the Mill’s initial report was published.
The ofs declined to provide a comment when contacted for this story.The University of Greater Manchester, formerly known as the University of Bolton until a name change approved by the OfS in 2024, is now under intense scrutiny.
Following the initial reports from the Manchester mill, parliament was informed in March that both the OfS and GMP were investigating. While GMP revealed in May they were investigating “financial irregularities” and, in June, confirmed detectives from the major incident team had searched properties in Greater Manchester and the south of England concerning “suspected fraud and bribery,” the OfS did not publicly announce its own investigation until this month.
In response to the allegations, the university’s governing body commissioned an inquiry led by PricewaterhouseCoopers in the spring. In May, Prof. George Holmes,the university’s vice-chancellor of 20 years,along with two other senior staff members,were suspended. A university spokesperson stated at the time that these suspensions were “a precautionary measure and do not imply any assumption of guilt.”
Brickell stated he initially raised his concerns with the OfS in March but received minimal response. “that the OfS only announced its investigation more than six months after the police suggests a universities regulator asleep at the wheel,” he asserted. “That’s why I’ve taken the steps of writing to the OfS and the education secretary, asking for an description for the delay and highlighting my concerns that the regulator isn’t across its brief.”
He expressed his frustration at being “wholly in the dark” regarding the OfS’s actions, believing that most staff and students likely share his uncertainty.Brickell emphasized the need for the OfS to proactively reassure the university community that it is taking all necessary steps to address concerns and minimize any potential harm to student outcomes.
The Manchester Mill’s reporting has brought to light a range of serious allegations,including instances of racism and bullying,as well as significant financial connections between the university and external contractors and companies. The investigative journalism was recognized with an award at this year’s British Journalism Awards.
The situation underscores the critical need for robust oversight of the UK’s higher education institutions and raises essential questions about the effectiveness of the current regulatory framework. The lack of transparency and the perceived delays in addressing these serious allegations are likely to fuel further scrutiny of both the University of Greater Manchester and the Office for Students in the coming months.
