“The LSC Review, undertaken at my request, has produced a positive set of recommendations which I believe should benefit students at Harlow College. I am grateful for the constructive and helpful contribution from the LSC on this matter.

Talks at ACAS, which should have happened months ago, have now started and this is welcome.

External management advice to the College management team should help avoid a repetition of some of the mistakes that have been made recently.

Two extra governors should help to improve the standard of governance and oversight at the College and I am pressing that one of these should be a full-time, experienced trade union official.

Everyone now needs to work to ensure high quality courses are delivered from September.

On Sunday morning I held a meeting with approximately 60 constituents who have contacted me about the issue. At the meeting constituents welcomed the LSC’s intervention and recommendations but expressed continuing and serious concerns about the accountability and accessibility of the College Governors and Principal.

I have agreed again to take up their concerns and have asked the College Principal and Governors to meet with concerned constituents to explain the College’s strategy and respond to criticisms.”