What is the Government doing about the higher education crisis? Committee writes to Education Secretary

The Education Committee today publishes a letter to the Secretary of State for Education calling for detail about work the Government is undertaking to support the higher education sector in both the short and long term. 

The letter is available to read on the Committee's website.

It follows a deep-dive evidence session on 8 April, in which the cross-party Committee questioned witnesses including Sir Philip Augar, representatives of Universities UK and the Russell Group, University College Union General Secretary Jo Grady, and others. 

Education Committee Chair Helen Hayes said: 

“A number of headwinds have been pushing universities into crisis for over a decade. The consequences of a university becoming insolvent would be severely damaging for the health of the local economy, for student choice and wellbeing, and research. Even if such a worst-case scenario doesn't come to pass, many in the sector are concerned about the overlooked harms that cuts to courses and staff are already having.  

“Whilst Ministers have made promising statements that planned reforms are being drawn up, we are calling for more information on what activity the Government has been undertaking, and asking when we will see results.”