Greater Manchester OfS Investigation Delays Criticism

Published: 22 December 2025. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online.

The University of Greater Manchester has come under sharp criticism after England’s universities regulator faced accusations of negligence. Phil Brickell, MP for Bolton West, has publicly called the Office for Students (OfS) “asleep at the wheel” due to its delayed response to reports of alleged fraud, bullying, and mismanagement at the university. Brickell represents the constituency that encompasses the campus and expressed frustration over the regulator’s apparent inaction, saying staff and around 11,000 students were left in uncertainty about their futures.

Speaking to the Guardian, Brickell said the lack of prompt intervention from the OfS had left the local community questioning the regulator’s competence. He highlighted the university’s role as a critical anchor institution in the borough and warned that the slow pace of oversight could cause significant harm beyond the campus. Current students, staff, and alumni have repeatedly contacted him, voicing concerns about governance and transparency, further undermining confidence in the OfS’s ability to monitor universities effectively during challenging periods.

In a strongly worded letter to Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson, Brickell detailed the extensive delay in the OfS announcing its formal investigation. This lag followed months of reporting by the Manchester Mill news site, which began exposing allegations in February, and subsequent inquiries opened by Greater Manchester Police (GMP). Brickell noted that whistleblowers had contacted him for ten months, some having initially raised concerns directly with the OfS prior to the first media reports.

An OfS spokesperson declined to comment on the matter. The University of Greater Manchester, which was formerly known as the University of Bolton until its name change in 2024, has faced mounting scrutiny from multiple fronts. Parliament was informed in March that the OfS and GMP were investigating, yet while GMP confirmed investigations into financial irregularities in May and carried out searches across Greater Manchester and southern England in June, the OfS only publicly announced its investigation in December.

The university itself commissioned a PricewaterhouseCoopers inquiry in spring, resulting in the suspension of Vice-Chancellor Prof George Holmes, who had served for 20 years, along with two senior staff members. A spokesperson at the time clarified that the suspensions were precautionary and did not imply any presumption of guilt. Brickell first raised his concerns with the OfS in March but reportedly received little engagement from the regulator, prompting him to escalate the matter to the education secretary.

“The OfS only announced its investigation more than six months after the police, suggesting a regulator asleep at the wheel,” Brickell said. He emphasized that students and staff remain largely unaware of the regulator’s actions and stressed the need for proactive communication to reassure the university community. Brickell added that timely intervention was crucial to prevent further detriment to student outcomes and to uphold trust in the university sector.

The Manchester Mill’s reporting has uncovered serious allegations including racism, bullying, and large-scale financial relationships between the university and external contractors. The investigation received recognition at this year’s British Journalism Awards for its depth and impact. Brickell’s ongoing campaign underscores growing public concern over the OfS’s accountability and ability to respond swiftly to allegations of mismanagement within higher education institutions.

With scrutiny mounting, calls for improved regulatory efficiency are intensifying. Experts argue that delays in formal investigations not only jeopardize student welfare but also risk undermining the integrity of the entire higher education system in England. Stakeholders, including local MPs and advocacy groups, continue to demand greater transparency and faster action from the OfS to restore confidence among affected communities and protect academic standards.

The University of Greater Manchester’s situation remains closely monitored as the OfS investigation progresses. For now, the university community continues to seek clarity and assurances that misconduct will be addressed promptly and fairly. Brickell’s interventions highlight the necessity for regulators to balance procedural thoroughness with timely responsiveness to uphold public trust and safeguard student interests.