Notice

Notice of costs recovery in respect of Pearson Education Limited

Published 17 April 2025

Applies to England

© Crown copyright 2025

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pearson-undertaking-and-notices-of-monetary-penalty-and-costs-recovery/notice-of-costs-recovery-in-respect-of-pearson-education-limited

Notice

1. In accordance with its powers under section 152A(1) of the Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009 (“the Act”), and pursuant to its obligations under section 152A(4) of the Act, the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (“Ofqual”) gives notice that having imposed a monetary penalty on Pearson Education Limited (“Pearson”) it has decided to require Pearson to pay Ofqual’s costs in relation to imposing that penalty, in the sum of £10,000 (the costs).

Background

2. Ofqual may require a recognised body (an awarding organisation) on which a sanction has been imposed to pay the costs incurred by Ofqual in relation to imposing the sanction.

3. Pearson is an awarding organisation regulated by Ofqual. On 21 March 2025, Ofqual imposed a sanction on Pearson as defined at Section 152A(2) of the Act, in relation to the matters set out within Ofqual’s ‘Notice of Intention to impose a monetary penalty dated 3 January 2025.

Decision

4. The Ofqual Enforcement Panel has considered the costs incurred by Ofqual in relation to imposing a monetary penalty on Pearson, and has decided that Pearson should be required to pay the costs.

Payment

5. Pearson must pay the costs within 28 days of the date of this notice, in accordance with the payment instructions provided with this notice.

6. In the event of non-payment, interest may be charged and the outstanding amount may be recovered as a debt, in accordance with Section 152C of the 2009 Act.

Appeals

  1. 7. Pearson may appeal to the First Tier Tribunal in respect of Ofqual’s decision to require it to pay Ofqual’s costs and/or in respect of the amount of the costs, in accordance with Section 152B of the 2009 Act.

  2. 8. An appeal may be made on the grounds:
    1. a) that the decision was based on an error of fact;
    2. b) that the decision was wrong in law;
    3. c) that the decision was unreasonable.
  3. 9. Any appeal must be made within 28 days of the date of this notice. Further information is available from HM Courts and Tribunals Service.

Name: Chris Paterson
Chair of the Enforcement Committee
Date: 21 March 2025

Enforcement Committee: Chris Paterson, Susan Barratt and Cindy Leslie

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