1. Conservative Party to make teaching an ‘elite’ profession
In a self-styled “brazenly elitist” proposal, David Cameron has said that the Conservatives intend on ending financial support for teacher training for graduates without at least a 2.ii degree. Those with a 1st or 2.i in a “rigorous” mathematics or science degree from “good universities”, meanwhile, can apply to have their student loan paid off by the government.
Cameron went on to announce a new ‘Teach Now’ scheme as a development of ‘Teach First’, whereby high-flyers in business and industry can apply to go straight into teaching, as well as plans to allow schools to "pay good teachers more."
NUS President Wes Streeting noted that “It is vital to support high standards in teaching and to ensure that the most able students and graduates aspire to work in the education sector. The way to do this is not to exclude those with the ability and enthusiasm who wish to enter it.”
2. Government plans to improve social mobility
Gordon Brown today responded to the final report from Alan Milburn’s Panel on Fair Access, declaring that Labour will be taking up the “vast majority” of the report’s findings should they win a fourth term in government. Amongst these suggestions, Brown has said that he plans to fund 10,000 internship places for graduates from poor backgrounds from next year, to help up to 130,000 of the "brightest" young people from poorer families with getting to college and university and to set up a Social Mobility Commission.
NUS has welcomed the plans, but warned that through cuts to Higher Education budgets and imposing a cap on student places, the Brown Government in fact risked undermining efforts towards greater social mobility.
3. Liberal Democrats renege on plans to end tuition fees
Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg confirmed that the current state of public finances means that their plan to end tuition fees would not be implemented until towards the end of their term in office, should they get elected into government.
NUS President Wes Streeting responded that the Lib Dems had been "as clear as mud" in their approach to tuition fees, and stated that "If scrapping fees in the next Parliament is no longer an affordable promise, Nick Clegg needs to be crystal-clear about what he will be promising students. Woolly long-term pledges won't wash."
4. Conservative Party announce scholarships for children of deceased military personnel
George Osborn announced Conservative Party plans to provide scholarships for university or further education colleges worth £8,210 a year to the children of deceased military personnel. This would apply to children of anyone who had died in conflict since 1990.
5. EDMs on EMAs, Student Finance England and support for students with serious illness
Janet Dean presented an EDM on Wednesday 13 January, which argues that students who become seriously ill are unfairly treated by the student loans and benefits system, as they are legally seen as having drawn from their loans when they suspend their studies. As a result, they are often left unable to apply for benefits for up to 28 weeks and left with four years of student loans for a three year degree course. The EDM calls on the Government to rectify these issues.
Gerald Kaufman presented an EDM on Monday 11 January, condemning Student Finance England “for its deplorable failure to deal competently and in a timeous manner with applications from students”, and calling on the Government to penalise those responsible.
John Robertson’s EDM expresses support for the Education Maintenance Allowance scheme and calls on the Government to guarantee the retention of the scheme. Presented on 9 December 2009, the EDM has so far gained cross-party support and a total of 59 signees, following some lobbying from the NUS.
6. Parliamentary Questions
Kirkbride - University Funding
Thursday 14 January | House of Commons - Oral Question
Miss Julie Kirkbride (Bromsgrove) (Con): The Government have long had an aspiration for 50 per cent. of young people to go into higher education. Given the right hon. Gentleman’s savage cuts in the university sector, can he tell us in what year he expects to meet that 50 per cent. aspiration and what percentage of young people will be going to university next year?
Mr. Lammy: I am pleased to say that we have more young people at university than ever before in our history, and we will have even more next year. However, if the £610 million of cuts to my Department’s budget were enacted, which was the Conservative proposal 18 months ago, that would mean a reduction of many thousands.
Chaytor - Funding for Part-Time Higher Education Students
Thursday 14 January 2010 | House of Commons - Oral Question
Mr. David Chaytor (Bury, North) (Lab): Forty-three per cent. of students in higher education are part-time students, and future growth will largely come from part-time and mature students. Is there not a powerful argument for raising the cap on full-time undergraduate fees in order to develop a unified system, giving part-time students the same access to financial support that full-time students enjoy?
Mr. Lammy: My hon. Friend puts his point forcefully. I shall not be drawn on the outcome of the review, but I can say that he is right to underline the position of part-time students and to call for better equity. That is why we have asked Lord Browne to examine the position of part-time students, in particular.
Winterton, A - Funding of universities
Thursday 14 January 2010 | House of Commons - Oral Question
Ann Winterton (Congleton) (Con): What his policy is on the future level of funding of universities; and if he will make a statement. [310590]
The Minister for Higher Education and Intellectual Property (Mr. David Lammy): The Government have presided over huge investment in higher education. Spending has risen by some 25 per cent. since 1997, which has significantly increased income and variable fees. Next year, my Department will allocate some £13 billion to higher education, taking into account spend on institutions and students.
Ann Winterton: Universities face total budget cuts of £2.5 billion, and the Business Secretary has said that he will slash funding next year by £535 million. How will those savage cuts affect the quality of teaching and research? In addition—
Mr. Speaker: Order. I think that one question will do. I am extraordinarily grateful, but we need to make progress.
Mr. Lammy: I think that “savage cuts” were the 38 per cent. fall in the unit of resource between 1991 and 1997, which left universities in this country on their knees. What the Government proposed in the grant letter to universities just before Christmas was in fact a saving of 1 per cent.