CBI wrong to call for Government to drop widening participation commitment says university think-tank
Responding to the publication today (Monday) of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) report by its Higher Education Task Force; Stronger together: Businesses and universities in turbulent times Pam Tatlow, Chief Executive of million+ said, “The CBI’s recognition that business must take responsibility to engage with universities is very welcome. However the CBI’s recommendation that the Government should drop its aspiration to encourage 50% of people between the ages of 18 and 30 to study at university is the wrong approach in a recession which has already caused one million young people to be unemployed.
“The CBI’s approach contrasts very sharply with that in Sweden and in the United States where President Obama has backed the growth of higher education with additional funding. It is also disappointing that business leaders want less places but students to pay more.”
ENDS
Notes to editors:
- million+ is a leading university think-tank, working to solve the complex problems in higher education. www.millionplus.ac.uk
- The CBI report can be found is available here: highereducation.cbi.org.uk/uploaded/CBI_HE_taskforce_report.pdf
- For more information please contact Gemma Tumelty on 0207 7171655 or 07900 277819