Calls To Stop Privatisation of Education After Greenford College Closes

Petition set up after GSM London went into into administration

Cllr Adam Swersky

A petition's been set up after a private college with bases in Greenford and Greenwich went bust.

GSM London, one of the biggest private higher education providers in England, has gone into administration - and will stop teaching students in September.

The college says it has not been able to "recruit and retain sufficient numbers of students to generate enough revenue to be sustainable".

It teaches about 3,500 students - with degree courses validated by the University of Plymouth and emplys around 250 staff. Its closure will mean students will need to find alternative institutions to finish their courses. The staff’s future is also uncertain.

The company is owned by Private Equity firm Sovereign Capital one of a growing number of privately-financed firms entering the higher education sector in the UK.

A petition has been launched online calling on the government to reverse policies that make it easier for private firms to enter the market. 

Adam Swersky who is Councillor in Harrow and chair of the Harrow West Labour Party said: “Britain’s higher education sector is the envy of the world. But by giving thumbs up to private finance corporations to take over, the government is gambling with the sector’s reputation and students’ futures.

“The responsibility for the collapse of GSM London lies squarely with the government. Its policy of reckless deregulation and privatisation in higher education is letting down students and staff, as we have tragically seen this week. 

“I’m calling on the government to end their privatisation agenda and I’m asking everyone to join me and to sign the petition. There’s no time to lose to make sure every student can attend institutions that are stable, accountable, and public.”

14th August 2019