Student Loans Company managers' resignations demanded over funding chaos
Dithering managers were blamed yesterday for the loans fiasco that left tens of thousands of students without vital funding.
Wes Streeting, president of the National Union of Students, said: “Given the catalogue of failures identified by this report, heads must roll if the public are to have any confidence in the SLC in the future.”
Head of Student Loans Company under pressure to resign
The head of the Student Loans Company is under intense pressure to resign today following a damning report which concludes there was a "conspicuous failure" to deliver this year's grants on time.
Wes Streeting, president of the National Union of Students, said: "We're certainly calling for heads to roll at the student loans company. The senior management must take responsibility for this. The board now needs to move heaven and earth to get students their money and for the Student Loans company to get its act together in time for next year."
Who should pay for universities?
This week's pre-Budget report has dramatically changed the nature of debate over what should happen to university fees - potentially one of the more explosive issues at the next election as we head towards 50% of all young people expecting to go to university.
University fees review panel makes first call for evidence
A review of university fees and funding will hold public hearings in the new year, it was announced yesterday.
The National Union of Students and lecturers' leaders will ask the panel to examine alternatives to top-up fees, warning that a price increase could deter would-be students from poorer homes from applying, particularly while jobs are scarce.
Politicians ask universities to delay going public on tuition fees
Universities are under pressure not to put a figure on their demands for higher tuition fees in the run-up to the general election.
The newer universities, represented by the Million+ group, want a graduate tax instead, as does the National Union of Students.
Privatisation multi-millionaire Sir John Chisholm calls for £20,000
British universities should be allowed to charge US-style fees of up to £20,000, according to a leading industrialist.
Sir John Chisholm said the cap on tuition fees should be removed to enable 'Rolls Royce' institutions like Oxford and Cambridge to charge substantially more.
But Wes Streeting, president of the National Union of Students, dismissed Sir John's suggesting of removing the cap as 'coming from cloud cuckoo land'.
Universities warn that budget cuts will be challenging
England's universities warn budget cuts will be "challenging" and say efforts to limit their damage will be needed.
The Chancellor has announced that £600m will be "saved" by 2012/13 from across "higher education, science and research budgets, including student support".