UKeU inquiry follows our investigation

MPs are to hold an inquiry into UKeU, following a twelve-month Computing investigation into the failed online learning scheme.

The news comes after we called for a review of the organisation's spending (Computing, 1 April).

Labour MP Barry Sheerman, chair of the Education and Skills Select Committee, says the 'short, sharp inquiry' will look into how the £62m scheme attracted just 900 students, at a cost of £44,000 each.

'This project accounts for a lot of taxpayers' money and, if it has not been spent wisely, we must find out the reasons why, and the people responsible,' said Sheerman.

'We see UKeU as an interesting example of something that had high ambitions and was trying to get into a new area. It might help us learn for when the government tries to undertake highly innovative projects in entrepreneurial sectors.'

The Higher Education Funding Council for England (Hefce) provided £32.6m to support the creation of UKeU's elearning infrastructure and £7m to set up various elearning programmes in higher education institutions.

Last week we reported that Labour MP Derek Wyatt had asked the select committee to look into UKeU.