Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government why they did not respond to the request for financial support from the College of Social Work.

The Government was approached by the College of Social Work (the College) in March to discuss their financial situation for 2015-16 and beyond. As a result the College initiated an internal review of its functions and business model. The subsequent report demonstrated that even with the proposed level of Government funding, the College would be running at a loss. The Government has contributed £8.2 million to the college since 2009.

The financial health of an organisation is a key factor in the decision to award Government Grant funding. In line with HM Treasury rules (Managing Public Money), the Department would not continue to provide Grant funding to any organisation that is deemed to be financially unsustainable. Any funding provided in 2015-16 is to ensure an orderly transfer of its Government funded work to other bodies.