The row over extra cash for London colleges was blown wide open this week as one member of the special inquiry team set up to review funding in the capital broke ranks to condemn proposals for massive extra subsidies.
Writing exclusively in The TES, Stamford College principal Andrew Middleton said it was fundamentally unfair for a review of London costs to recommend huge increases for metropolitan colleges.
Last month, The TES revealed that members of the London Costs Working Group had recommended a Pounds 1 million increase to every college in the capital to cover their extra costs.
But Mr Middleton, who was one of two non-London principals on the group, said no decision should be taken without a thorough review of the costs of operating outside London.
His comments threaten to drive a wedge between principals anxious to present a united front to ministers as they seek extra funding at the Association of Colleges’ annual conference next week.
Andrew Middleton, page 33
