26 November 2008
Million+ comments on Reform report on post-18 education.
Pam Tatlow Chief Executive of university think-tank Million said, “This report fails to capture with any degree of accuracy, the further and higher education sectors in the UK and in particular, pays no regard to the diversity of the student profile when all the evidence confirms that this is no longer limited to younger 18 year old students living with their families. It then compounds the problem by applying unfettered free market solutions which seems somewhat untimely when the consequences of a weakly regulated market in financial services are all too evident.
“By calling for the abolition of the fee cap without providing any costing or proposals for student support, Reform goes much further than even the most vociferous advocates of the market in higher education. Social mobility in the UK would be undermined by the removal of all access targets for universities and the abolition of any formal regulation of quality would damage the reputation of UK higher education and the international market. Reform is in great danger of throwing the baby out with the bath water.”
ENDS
Notes to editors
- Million+ is a leading university think-tank, with 28 subscribing universities, working to solve the complex problems in higher education. www.millionplus.ac.uk
- For more information please contact Gemma Tumelty, Public Affairs Officer on 0207 7171657 or 07900 277819.