MillionPlus comment on the 2017 Budget statement

MillionPlus, the Association for Modern Universities, has today (8 March) commented on the Budget statement by Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond.

Pam Tatlow, Chief Executive of MillionPlus, said:

“We welcome the Chancellor's confirmation that £300m will be invested in research and PhD places. However if the industrial strategy is to deliver on the government's ambitions much more investment will be required to promote innovation in the regions and replace the loss of European structural and regional funds.

“MillionPlus has campaigned for over 10 years for part-time students to have access to student support on the same basis as full-time students and we warmly welcome the fact that these students will be entitled to maintenance loans from 2018-19. However, it remains our belief that all students should also have access to maintenance grants.

“We welcome the additional funds announced by the Chancellor for social care and the NHS which will help to alleviate some of the obvious pressures. It is modern universities that educate the majority of nurses, midwives, allied health professionals and social care staff and these students need to be supported by high-quality placements and mentoring; there is an urgent need to invest more in the professional development of this vital workforce which the Budget does not address.”

ENDS

Notes to editors

1. MillionPlus is the Association for Modern Universities. More information can be found at www.millionplus.ac.uk
2. For further information or to arrange an interview, please contact Dan Blows on 020 7717 1658 or email press@millionplus.ac.uk
3. The full Budget documents are available here