Michael Davis, the new chief executive of the UK Commission for Employment and Skills, expressed frustration in FE Focus 19 August (“Colleges accused of failing to provide consumer data”) about the apparent lack of progress in getting all providers to routinely publish key data that potential users need to make choices about “courses”.

However, three things are clear. First, providers need to systematically and consistently publish the information that potential users need to see, not what well-meaning experts think they need. Second, it will be for providers to decide exactly what this package should be, and then take responsibility for implementing it. It should not be unilaterally imposed by Government departments. Third, providers will need some “space” to find the resource needed to invest. This needs to be found from the promised reduction in bureaucracy.

Graham Hoyle, Chairman, National Improvement Partnership Board.