Further and higher education must work better for students,
universities and taxpayers, the Prime Minister will say as she
welcomes the publication of an independent review into post-18
education.
The Prime Minister ordered the review specifically to ensure
young people have more choice, can access the highest quality
courses, and receive the best possible value for money.
An expert panel - led by Philip Augar - has today (Thursday 30
May) published 53 recommendations for Government.
While their report says there are overwhelming strengths to the
UK’s education system, the Prime Minister strongly agrees with a
number of the issues identified.
In particular, she calls for a reintroduction of student
maintenance grants to support those from low-income families. The
report is clear that a minimum grant of £3,000 per year for the
lowest income families would see debt for these students reduce
by over £9,000.
Whilst those from disadvantaged backgrounds are more likely than
ever to go to university, the Prime Minister will also say
progress is too slow. Last year, some universities failed to
improve their intake of students from disadvantaged backgrounds
for the first time in more than a decade.
The report says the removal of maintenance grants is deterring
some less well-off young people, and recognises strong concerns
about the highest levels of debt being incurred by disadvantaged
students following grants being abolished.
She is expected to say:
“I was not surprised to see the panel argue for the
reintroduction of means-tested maintenance grants both for
university students and those studying for higher technical
qualifications. Such a move would ensure students are supported
whichever route they choose, and save those from the poorest
backgrounds over £9,000.
“It will be up to the Government to decide, at the upcoming
Spending Review, whether to follow this recommendation.
“But my view is very clear: removing maintenance grants from the
least well-off students has not worked, and I believe it is time
to bring them back.”
The Prime Minister will also say that we must significantly
increase support for further education.
Despite the Government boosting education or training places for
every 16 to 19-year old, rolling out T Levels, and creating
high-quality apprenticeships, she will say more must be done for
the 50 per cent of young people who do not go to university.
In Germany, 20 per cent of 25-year-olds hold a higher technical
qualification – yet the figure in the UK is just four per
cent.
She will argue that:
“By failing to equip more of our young people with the technical
skills they will need to compete in the jobs of the future, we
have hampered our national ability to compete on the world
stage.
“So reinvigorating FE is vital if we are to help all our young
people develop the skills they need to get on – and if we are to
truly make a success of our modern industrial strategy.”
The PM is also expected to say that:
“Making a success of FE is not just about increased funding –
it’s about giving these young people a genuine choice about their
education.
“So more also needs to be done to ensure that further and
technical options are every bit as attractive a path for students
as more academic options – including by reforming the sector so
that colleges can thrive.”
The Prime Minister will also call for reform to tuition fees to
ensure value for money for students and the taxpayer. She will
say that while the majority of courses provide good outcomes for
students, this is no longer true across the board, and many
courses do not cost £9,000 per student per year to teach.
She will say:
“There is much to be said for the panel’s proposal to cut fees
and top up the money from Government, protecting the sector’s
income overall but focussing more of that investment on
high-quality and high-value courses.
“I know there are some, including the Labour Opposition, who will
reject this finding because they want to abolish fees
altogether.
“Such a move would be regressive and destructive - hurting our
institutions and limiting the opportunities for our young
people.”
But the Prime Minister also agrees that universities must
continue to be properly funded, so that teaching grants for high
value courses are protected.
In conclusion, the Prime Minister is expected to say:
“I have always believed and I still truly believe that, if this
is to be a country that works for everyone, then we have to make
education work for everyone.
“But only by taking action now will we be able to deliver the
lasting change and improvements we need in further and higher
education.
“And give every child and young person in this country the
education they need to reach their true, incredible potential.”
The Government will now consider the panel’s proposals carefully,
and engage further with stakeholders and students, before
finalising its approach at the Spending Review.
