1. NUS meets with Lord Mandelson to push for alternatives to top up fees
NUS last week had the opportunity to discuss the forthcoming review of top up fees in a meeting with First Secretary of State, Lord Mandelson.
NUS President Wes Streeting and Chief Executive Matt Hyde impressed the importance of a broad review of top up fees that would go far beyond ‘the cap, how high?’ and consider alternative higher education funding systems that would be both fairer and more sustainable than the current system.
NUS impressed on the Secretary of State the central importance of student representation in the review process and the vital role that students’ unions and NUS must play in any review.
The meeting also allowed discussion of the Government’s approach to providing education and training to those leaving school or unemployed and the need to offer opportunities to graduates who are facing the worst employment conditions in a generation.
2. MPs back NUS over alternatives to top up fees and national bursary scheme
NUS has welcomed a report by the Innovation, Universities, Science and Skills Committee of MPS which called for the forthcoming review of higher education funding to look at alternatives to top up fees and for the establishment of a national bursary scheme.
The Committee’s report also warned that the current standards and quality assurance system was unfit, and argued that part-time and mature students were discriminated against by the current higher education funding system.
The report states: “…we do agree with (NUS) that the review of fees should look more widely at the alternative methods of securing the funds. We recommend the Government’s review of fees look at the alternative methods of securing the funds needed to sustain a strong higher education sector and should not be concerned exclusively with the appropriate level of fees within the current structure.”
The Committee also argued: “We favour a national bursary scheme, which would set a realistic national minimum bursary for all students across England. We recommend that the Government draw up and publish as part of the review of fees, and invite comments on, a national bursary scheme.”
NUS President Wes Streeting said:
“While the quality of education at Britain’s universities is unquestionably high, the Select Committee raises an important question about value for money. Tuition fees in England were trebled in 2006, but students have not seen a demonstrable improvement in the quality of their experience. We find it astonishing that universities continue to demand ever higher fees without showing how they make a difference to the people who pay them.
“NUS has long campaigned for a national bursary scheme. The complex and hugely variable market in bursaries have done little to promote fair access to elite universities. We believe a radical overhaul of the student support system is needed so that financial support is based on how students need, rather than where they happen to be studying.
“We are delighted that the Select Committee also agrees with NUS that the forthcoming review of university funding should look at alternatives to the disastrous current system of top up fees, not least for part time students who are still lumbered with up front fees. Britain is in danger of sleep walking into an American-style market free-for-all that would see the poorest students priced out of the best universities while other universities are consigned to the bargain basement. We need a real debate about alternatives to top-up fees, not the whitewash that some might be hoping for.”
3. Mandelson makes keynote speech on the future of higher education
Lord Mandelson’s made a commitment to a wide ranging review of higher education funding in a speech on Monday 27 July. However, the Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) Secretary warned of “tough decisions ahead” on university funding. He also gave a commitment to a full review of postgraduate funding and reasserted a commitment to ensuring widening participation and social mobility.
NUS President Wes Streeting said:
"Lord Mandelson's emphasis on social mobility and supporting poorer students ahead of the review of tuition fees is encouraging, but those universities pressing to charge higher tuition fees are the very same institutions who have made insufficient progress in ensuring that their doors are open to those from poorer backgrounds.
"There is no evidence to suggest that bursaries offered by elite institutions have made a dent on widening access. Given that, last year, 19 million pounds of student fee income ear marked for bursaries went unspent, it is not clear that universities can be trusted to ensure that poorer students are properly supported and encouraged to apply.
"Lord Mandelson must seriously consider whether a real market in tuition fees - where those who would charge the most are the worst at widening access - is the right way to realise his ambitions for widening social mobility. I hope the forthcoming review will consider radical alternatives to variable fees, including NUS' own proposals for a progressive graduate contribution based on earnings."
NUS also welcomed the government’s commitment to a separate review of postgraduate education.
4. Parliament in recess
Parliament is in recess until 12 October 2009.