The progress and effectiveness of post-16 education area reviews will be scrutinised in a new inquiry. 

The Sub-Committee on Education, Skills and the Economy will look at the impact of area reviews on the Further Education sector including proposed institutional mergers already announced.

It will also examine the absence of other education providers from the reviews, such as school sixth-forms, as well as ask questions about apprenticeship provision, and the role of local authorities, Local Enterprise Partnerships and Regional Schools Commissioners.

Area reviews, which began last year, are intended to secure for the future post-16 institutions which are financially viable, sustainable, resilient and efficient, and that meet local education and economic needs.