It’s been an odd year for Robert Halfon, who served as Minister for Skills until the General Election, before being mysteriously sacked after the Tories’ electoral setback. He was subsequently elected as Chair of the Education Select Committee, and will be responsible for scrutinising the work of his former boss Justine Greening, and former ministerial colleague Jo Johnson.
His announcement of an enquiry into value for money in higher education is a very interesting first move as chair. The wide ranging enquiry will pull every thread left loose from the summer press – VC pay, the role of the OfS, the use of graduate data and the TEF, in a combination that will delight wonks as much as it frustrates those content with the post-HERA status quo. With select committees expected to have a much stronger role alongside a minority government, this is an auspicious start.
Halfon is known to have a wonkish enthusiasm for education policy, particularly skills and apprenticeships, for which he was responsible as a minister. He is a passionate advocate of apprenticeships and has employed several of his own in Parliament.