Council battles academy trust over £4 million unpaid bill

A cash-strapped council is trying to sue an academy trust for more than £4 million over alleged unpaid services.

Lambeth council in south London has been in an escalating legal battle with the Parallel Learning Trust (PLT) for more than three years. The government has stepped in in an attempt to resolve the long spat.

According to PLT’s accounts, the council has issued a claim of almost £3.38 million for unpaid payroll services, a pension contribution shortfall of £929,000, court fees of £10,000, and “other charges” for services totalling £28,779.