Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Higher Education Funding

Monday 28 April 2025 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Minister committed to securing the future of the higher education sector and recognizes its economic value.
  • Bournemouth University suspended 15 courses due to financial pressures and rising operational costs.
  • Government works with the Office for Students to protect students if universities face risks.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Rachael Maskell Labour (Co-op) York Central
Education
Context

Over half of UK universities are consulting on academic and staff redundancies, including the University of York. The University and College Union is calling for a review into higher education funding and visa arrangements for international students.

Question

Over half of UK universities, including the University of York, are again consulting on academic and staff redundancies. In line with the University and College Union’s “Stop the Cuts” week of action, does the Minister agree that we need an urgent review into higher education funding and visa arrangements for international students and their dependants, and that we need to protect students from poverty, to safeguard our world-class universities and, ultimately, drive research, innovation and their economic output?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education (Janet Daby)

We are committed to securing the future of our higher education sector and we absolutely recognise its excellent economic value, which is crucial to our future economic growth. We welcome international students, who enrich our campuses, forge networks with domestic students and become global ambassadors. We will set out our plan for reform in the summer.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not directly address the need for an urgent review of higher education funding or visa arrangements for international students.

How: We Are Committed To Securing The Future, We Welcome International Students

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q2 Vikki Slade Lib Dem Mid Dorset and North Poole
Education
Context

Bournemouth University has suspended 15 of its courses due to financial pressures and rising operational costs. Most of the affected courses are in arts and humanities, including English, photography, sociology and politics.

Question

Over the past few months, Bournemouth University has had to take steps to suspend 15 of its courses due to financial pressures and rising operational costs. Most were arts and humanities courses, including English, photography, sociology and politics. What options exist for universities to access other sources of funding, and what assessment is being done to protect arts and humanities courses across our higher education sector?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education (Janet Daby)

Higher education providers are autonomous and responsible for managing their own budgets. If they were at any risk, we would work with the Office for Students to ensure that students were protected. The Government reserve the right to intervene to protect the interests of students. The strategic priorities grant is also available to support teachers and students in higher education in more expensive subjects.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not specify any additional funding sources for universities beyond the strategic priorities grant.

How: Higher Education Providers Are Autonomous, We Would Work With The Office For Students

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email