The Commons education select committee will investigate subcontracting, and Learndirect is expected to feature prominently.

The committee, now chaired by former apprenticeships and skills minister Robert Halfon, met for the first time since the recent general election on September 12.

Mr Halfon confirmed that it will place heavy scrutiny on FE.

“We have agreed to look carefully at a number of subjects spanning the quality of apprenticeships training and subcontractors,” he said.

“Social justice and productivity will be at the heart of our work on the education committee over this parliament. How our education system helps to improve young people’s lives and puts them on the ladder of opportunity will be placed front and centre of our programme of work.”

Its work on subcontracting and apprenticeships is expected to be focused on concerns on value for money and quality of provision – which will more than likely see more of a spotlight on the Learndirect saga.

The largest training provider in the UK has been given special treatment by the DfE and retains all contracts, including apprenticeships, despite receiving an Ofsted grade four last month.

It is notorious for charging high management fees, in a process known as “topslicing”, which often sees lead providers retaining a large slice of government funding before paying subcontractors to run training on their behalf.

The committee also announced that it would hold early hearings with the education secretary Justine Greening, Ofsted’s chief inspector Amanda Spielman, and Ofqual’s chief regulator Sally Collier, once Parliament returns from the party conferences in October.

Further details of the committee’s new inquiries will be announced in the coming weeks.

The new members are:

. Robert Halfon MP (Chair) – Con, Harlow

. Lucy Allan MP – Con, Telford

. Michelle Donelan MP – Con, Chippenham

. Marion Fellows MP – SNP, Motherwell and Wishaw

. James Frith MP – Lab, Bury North

. Emma Hardy MP – Lab, Kingston upon Hill West and Hessle

. Trudy Harrison MP – Con, Copeland

. Ian Mearns MP – Lab, Gateshead

. Lucy Powell MP – Lab, Manchester Central

. Thelma Walker MP – Lab, Colne Valley

. William Wragg MP – Con, Hazel Grove

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  1. Should look at both Adult Education and 16 – 19 to review topslice and value for money ! Adult Education in the UK has benefitted greatly by the high quality and value money offered through the VCS sector however as most are subcontracted, management fees are still too high.