The education select committee has endorsed the appointment of Dr Jo Saxton as chief regulator of Ofqual.
Saxton, a former academy trust boss and policy adviser to Gavin Williamson, was quizzed by the committee on Tuesday.
The MPs’ report states the five-year role has a salary of up to £135,000. Five people applied for the role, with three interviewed and two candidates “found appointable”.
The committee “agree” Saxton is “appointable for the post”. But they want “reassurance that qualification standards will be maintained and that employers, institutions and learners will continue to have confidence in them”.
They add: “We will hold regular accountability hearings to examine this issue. A strong leadership team must work with the chief regulator to take Ofqual forward.”
The committee were divided on her appointment down party lines – with six Conservative MPs backing her while three Labour MPs voted against.
Saxton will be replacing the interim chief regulator Simon Lebus in September.
This is a link to a recording of the hearing, so helping you make your own mind up about the wisdom, or otherwise, of this appointment: https://parliamentlive.tv/event/index/b28ca131-d722-47da-a94f-2d727dd3a64a?fbclid=IwAR3TWocEvCM2zocMfR64z_NaZ4N-YhACJ8Blv4CNjs_0DszboWshD4eNs1s
All Tory MPs on the committee endorsed her while Labour ones were against. Sure sign that decisions are being made to conform with party allegiances. It seems no Tory MP had any misgivings about Saxton’s close links to government. It’s time ministers were not allowed to name a ‘preferred candidate’ for any independent role.