The skills minister has told college leaders that they must improve their leadership and governance before she can make the case to the Treasury for better funding.

In a short speech to the Association of Colleges’ annual conference in Birmingham, Anne Milton said she was aware of the financial challenges colleges faced, but before she could make the case for better funding, strong financial management was required.

Ms Milton said: “All too often I sign off requests for emergency support, I see colleges in severe financial constraint that they could have avoided if they’d have had a strong board and leadership.

“Well-meaning principals and governors they may be, but in this day and age, robust financial management and leadership is the route to a successful college.”

‘You must get your leadership and governance right’

The minister paid tribute to the Love Our Colleges campaign, calling it a huge success. However, she said the event was not enough on its own to persuade Treasury officials to hand over more money to the sector.

She added: “A one-off campaign is not enough on its own.

“You must get your leadership and governance right, you must use your money and you make use of the resources that we put your way. Then and only then can I and you together secure the case for additional funding.”

Ms Milton told Tes: “Some leaders are excellent, some could be better. I just want them to be better, which is why we are doing so much on leadership and governance.

“People forget the role boards play, and chairs of governors are absolutely critical. Anywhere in the public sector, the good places have good principals, good chief executives and good boards.

“We need to up the game because to make the case for good funding, I have got to demonstrate a college sector that is performing well. Of course, there will always be problems in isolated areas, but they have to be more isolated.”