The Government acknowledges the significant impact that university closures can have on communities and economies. We are committed to supporting higher education institutions through challenging times, including providing financial assistance such as maintenance loans and tuition fee increases to mitigate economic pressures. The recent £30 million funding awarded to universities aims to foster growth and create jobs for the future, alongside rejoining the Erasmus programme. We recognise the need for a sustainable business model and are exploring additional measures, including supporting students through work placements and encouraging industry partnerships. While we understand concerns about redundancies and course closures, our focus remains on ensuring long-term stability for universities across the UK. The Minister expresses gratitude to the Members for securing the debate and acknowledges their commitment to education. He outlines the Government’s vision for a world-leading skills system as set out in the post-16 education and skills White Paper, aiming to increase higher-level learning participation among young people by age 25. The Minister details plans to increase tuition fee caps for higher education providers and introduce means-tested maintenance grants of up to £1,000 per year from academic year 2028-29, funded by a levy on income from international students. He reassures Members that the Department is working closely with local partners to understand the impact of the University of Essex’s decision regarding its Southend campus and will support efforts to manage changes in a way that minimizes disruption for students.