Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, when he first received information on the financial difficulties experienced by the University of Chester Academies Trust.

The department first received information on the financial difficulties experienced by the University of Chester Academies Trust in July 2016. The budget forecast report showed a financial deficit for the year ahead resulting in a cumulative deficit at 31 August 2017. The Education and Skills Funding Agency commenced intervention, however the financial position continued to deteriorate, and as a result a Financial Notice to Improve warning letter was issued in February 2017.