- About postgraduate study
- Part-time study
- Courses
- Faculties
- UK students
- EU students
- International Students
- How to apply for your course
- Handy Hints
- Open Events
- Student Recruitment
- Money Matters
- About Us
18 Mar 2010 09:23:50
Politicians should come clean about university funding cuts - according to Professor Les Ebdon CBE.
The chair of the university think tank million+ and Vice Chancellor of the University of Bedfordshire believes all the political parties should state whether there will be further cuts in higher education funding after the General Election.
Professor Ebdon was commenting on grant allocations from the Higher Education Funding Council for England (Hefce) announced today (Thursday).
He said: “The funding council has clearly tried to ensure that the impact of reductions in the higher education budget are moderated in 2010-11.
“However, the cut in capital funding for teaching will cause long-term problems and the drive to concentrate research funding will undermine innovation in those universities which have historically received less money but have more than proved their worth in promoting world-leading research.
“For universities this is a phoney war because this funding settlement could be completely blown out of the water if there is a second budget after the General Election which makes further cuts to higher education.”
And Professor Ebdon continued: “This uncertainty is not only a problem for universities. Applications are running at record levels yet the funding council has made it clear that universities will have funding clawed back if they have over-recruited in 2009.
“As a result, many institutions, especially those with a focus on widening participation, could be permanently reduced in sized.
“Coupled with the funding council’s intention to operate a student number control in 2010, this is a double whammy for many who hope to go to university this year.
“It cannot be right that the students of tomorrow have their chances of going to university dashed on the back of a crisis made by bankers.”
Professor Ebdon asked for confirmation of what the politicians are planning to do if they come into power in May.
He said: “All political parties now need to make clear whether there will be further cuts in higher education funding after the election and all parties need to come forward with credible proposals to fund additional student numbers.
“If universities are to be squeezed even more, this would paint a much grimmer picture for students and universities than the one that we have today.”
Latest news» 2010» March» Politicians should tell the truth on higher education funding
