Following the announcement that the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills and the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform will merge to form the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, NUS President Wes Streeting said:
“NUS would like to welcome the opportunity to work with Lord Mandelson in his new capacity as Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills. We hope that he will be bold in his approach to the forthcoming review of higher education funding and ensure that students have a genuine voice in the coming debate.
“NUS will be publishing its proposal for an alternative to top up fees, including an outline for a structured contribution from business. We look forward to debating this with the Secretary of State in the coming weeks.
“We also look forward to working with the department to ensure that students' access to education and training is prioritised, and that the learner voice is heard in both further education and higher education. Colleges and universities will be vital in meeting future challenges to society and the economy. NUS looks forward to working with Lord Mandelson in facing these challenges."