Insights

A recent Court of Appeal decision offers reassurance to school employers that external job applicants are not protected by whistleblowing detriment laws, but a cautious approach to complaints in recruitment remains advisable.

Media headlines have dramatised the recent statutory government guidance, which allows local authorities flexibility to use capital receipts from qualifying asset sales to fund revenue costs. It has been confirmed that this could include funds generated by local authorities in disposing of school playing fields. 

From the early 1990s, PFI (or Private Finance Initiative) projects were used by the Government to help regenerate school estates across the country. 

Fraud is a hot topic right now for higher education institutions. Not only do students often find themselves as soft targets for fraud (ie 'money mules' or in relation to Authorised Push Payment/ APP fraud), but the institution itself now has its own responsibilities to reduce the likelihood of a fraud event taking place. 

If you are an HE organisation considering your status under the PA 2023 or wanting to understand the implications, here are some issues to consider.

The OfS regulatory case report and record fine issued to the University of Sussex for breaches of management and governance conditions of registration E1 and E2 has brought University decision-making and compliance with governing documents into the spotlight - in the wider context of freedom of speech and academic freedom obligations.