Archive 2009
22 December 2009
million+ comment on Lord Mandelson's grant letter to higher education funding council 2010-11
Professor Les Ebdon, Chair of million+, said: “The cuts imposed on universities and students by this grant letter are serious and avoidable. Higher education should have been included in the Government’s stimulus package. Instead 22 December will go down as a good day for the Government to bury bad news for universities and students alike.
18 December 2009
million+ comment on Lib Dem Fees Announcement
Pam Tatlow, Chief Executive of the university think tank million+ said: “It is important that all political parties clarify their positions on university fees and funding before the general election. However, universities, students and graduates will want to know the full details of these proposals to be sure that they stand up financially.
16 December 2009
million+ welcomes investment to avoid unemployment but warns against fining universities
Les Ebdon, Chair of million+ and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Bedfordshire comments on the DWP white paper: Building Britain’s Recovery.
16 December 2009
Universities should consider how research benefits the economy and society says million+
University think tank million+ has defended proposals to give more funding to research that has benefits to the economy and society, following calls by a group of academics that they should be scrapped.
9 December 2009
million+ comment on Pre-Budget Report
Professor Les Ebdon, Chair of the university think-tank million+ said: “I warmly welcome the funding of internships for undergraduates from poorer backgrounds but the failure to provide an Obama style stimulus to higher education or to protect universities on the same basis as schools means that there is a real risk that there will be another shortfall in places for those wanting to go to university in 2010.
8 December 2009
million+ comment on report into student finance delivery
“This Report confirms that students and universities were correct in their assessment of the failings of the Student Loan Company. The SLC clearly failed in its responsibility to deliver the Customer First Programme which was intended to provide a one-stop shop service for all students applying for loans and grants to support their studies at university.
5 December 2009
million+ comment on Demos report: Service Nation
Pam Tatlow, Chief Executive of the university think-tank million+ said: “This report will get few marks from students or universities. The authors clearly do not understand the extent of the voluntary and community service activities which are already promoted by universities and local student unions.
3 December 2009
Future funding crucial to widening participation says university think tank
Speaking at a Higher Education Conference on improving progression routes to higher education, Pam Tatlow, Chief Executive of the university think-tank million+, said: “There can be no ifs or buts.
2 December 2009
million+ comment on OFFA research on impact, awareness and take-up of bursaries in England
Following the publication of research by the Office of Fair Access (OFFA) on the impact, awareness and take-up of bursaries in England, the university think tank million+ has called for a fair and easy to use national bursary scheme to ensure that all university students in the same financial circumstances are entitled to the same bursary support.
27 November 2009
million+ urges politicians of all parties to make clear their commitment to well-funded universities
With a General Election just months away, the university think tank million+ has called on politicians of all parties to strike a fairer balance between the rights and responsibilities of students, universities, the taxpayer and government in the funding of higher education.
23 November 2009
million+ criticises proposals to turn back clock on research funding
The university think-tank million+ has criticised proposals from the think tank Policy Exchange which would reverse the funding of world-leading research in UK universities.
13 November 2009
million+ calls for universities to adopt a unified approach in lobby for more funding
The Chief Executive of the university think-tank million+ has called for a more unified approach in the campaign by universities to win more public funding in a speech given to the Association of University Administrators (AUA) Annual Planning Forum at Warwick University today.
11 November 2009
million+ urges Government to let unemployed ‘enrol for free’ at university and fund more university places in 2010
million+ has welcomed the Government’s commitment to support a target of 75% of people achieving advanced apprenticeships and degree qualifications by the age of 30 and support for progression from apprenticeships to university in today’s White Paper Skills for Growth.
9 November 2009
million+ comment on Announcement of Fees Review in England
Following today’s (9 November) Ministerial Announcement of the Terms of Reference and the Panel members of the long-awaited review of tuition fees in England, the university think-tank million+ has said that political parties cannot hide behind the Review and refuse to tell voters what their policies are on tuition fees until after the general election.
3 November 2009
million+ comment on HE Framework
The university think-tank million+ has welcomed the emphasis in the Government’s HE Framework on employability, part-time and mature students and applied research.
28 October 2009
million+ launches research on the impact of funding to support advances in the application of digital technologies in UK universities
A report published today (29 October) by the university think-tank million+ confirms the value of funding projects to advance the innovative application of digital technologies in UK universities
27 October 2009
million+ comment on latest figures from the Student Loan Company
Figures from the Student Loan Company which confirm that thousands of students are still waiting to receive a first payment from the SLC have been described as troubling by the university think-tank million+.
21 October 2009
million+ comments on Provisional UCAS figures for 2009 University Entry
The university think-tank million+ has called on the Government and the Funding Council to withdraw threats to clawback money from universities in a record-breaking year for university applications in the UK.
16 October 2009
Teesside University becomes first modern University to win Times Higher award for UK University of the Year
Teesside University has become the first modern university to win the prestigious Times Higher University of the Year award.
15 October 2009
million+ comment: Scottish Funding Council proposals will damage prospects of working class young people
The university think-tank million+ has warned that modern universities in Scotland run the risk of losing teaching funding under proposals issued by the Scottish Funding Council (SFC).
14 October 2009
million+ comment on £7000 tuition fees
In response to a comment from David Willetts MP, Conservatives Universities Spokesperson, the university think-tank million+ warned that an uplift in university tuition fees to £7000 per year was likely to cost the Exchequer an additional £1billion for every cohort of students who study at university for 3 years.
4 October 2009
University think-tank welcomes Tory student numbers pledge but warns that more may need to be done
million+ has welcomed a pledge by the Conservatives that 10,000 additional student places would be provided in 2010 over and above those funded in 2009.
28 September 2009
million+ welcomes Lord Mandelson’s commitment that there should be no cap on talent in the UK
The university think tank million+ warmly welcomed a speech by Lord Mandelson, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, at the Labour Party Conference in Brighton this afternoon.
25 September 2009
University think-tank urges the Labour Party to stop ‘shilly-shallying’ on fees
In advance of the Labour Party Conference which starts on Sunday, the university think-tank million+ is urging the Labour Party to be clear with students and universities on the Party’s manifesto commitments to students and universities.
24 September 2009
million+ supports conclusion that higher education vouchers are ‘unattractive and unacceptable’
Responding to a report from the Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI) today (Thursday) Chief Executive of the university think-tank Pam Tatlow said…
23 September 2009
Funding Council proposals for assessing university research ‘step forward,’ say million+
Today (Wednesday) the Higher Education Funding Council for England (Hefce) publishes new proposals on how the quality of university research is to be assessed in the future.
21 September 2009
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…
18 September 2009
university think-tank questions Vince Cables ‘shopping list’ of cuts
At the Liberal Democrat Conference starting tomorrow (Saturday) the university think-tank, million+ will raise concerns about the impact on universities of the ‘shopping list’ of cuts that is being promoted by Treasury Spokesperson for the Liberal Democrats…
15 September 2009
University think-tank calls for further Government action on jobs and educational opportunities
At the annual Trade Union Congress at a fringe meeting with the Fabian Society today (Tuesday) the Chief Executive of million+ Pam Tatlow will support the TUC’s assertion that the recession is still being felt by millions and will warn that much more needs to be done for the jobless young.
14 September 2009
million+ comments on delays in processing student loans
Commenting on the delays in processing student loans for students starting university in September, Pam Tatlow, Chief Executive of the university think-tank million+ said…
10 September 2009
million+ responds to Minister's speech on higher education at Universities UK conference
Responding to a speech given today (Thursday) at a conference of Universities UK by the Minister for Higher Education and Intellectual Property, David Lammy MP, million+ welcomed…
8 September 2009
million+ urges the government to heed the OECD advice to invest in education and fund university expansion
Responding to the publication of the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development) annual “Education at a Glance” report, million+ today (Tuesday) expressed concern at the UK’s gross domestic product (GDP) spend on education…
3 September 2009
million+ welcomes latest data on the destination of the class of 2004/5
Commenting on the Higher Education Statistics Agency Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Institutions Longitudinal Survey Report published today…
29 August 2009
million+ urges politicians to make a commitment to students and universities that the recent clearing debacle will not be repeated
As this frantic clearing period for students and universities comes to an end the university think-tank million+ is today (Saturday) calling for all political parties to…
27 August 2009
million+ comments on the release of the first cohort of diploma results
As the students who completed the first cohort of the new diploma in an accelerated one year (rather than a two year program which will be the norm from 2009/10) received their results today…
26 August 2009
Reintroduction of up-front tuition fees not the answer to the crisis in university places, says million+
Responding to the IPPR report First Class? Challenges and opportunities for the UK’s university sector published Wednesday…
20 August 2009
million+ responds to A level results and clearing places
As thousands of students open their A Level results, with record numbers hoping to secure a place at university, million+ welcomed the rise in attainment and aspiration…
12 August 2009
million+ comments on Sutton Trust Report on applications to 13 Universities
The university-think tank million+ has issued a response to research from the Sutton Trust which seeks to compare applications from pupils from state and independent schools to 13 research-intensive universities.
6 August 2009
million+ comment on 2009 National Student Survey
Following the publication of the 2009 National Student Survey which tracks student satisfaction with their universities on an annual basis…
2 August 2009
million+ responds to select committee report on students and universities
Responding to the Students and Universities report from the Innovation, Universities, Science and Skills Select Committee…
31 July 2009
million+ comment on final allocation of university numbers
Responding to the announcement by the Funding Council, Hefce, confirming the final allocation of student numbers to universities for the 2009/10 year…
27 July 2009
Lord Mandelson's speech on the future of higher education
Lord Mandelson outlined his vision for the higher education framework and touched on the future fees and funding review
23 July 2009
Bursaries for students from the Office for Fair Access
The Office for Fair Access released guidance to universities on the minimum level of bursary they will be required to pay students in 2010/11.
20 July 2009
Government has done the “right thing” by students
million+ warmly welcomed the announcement from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills that an additional 10,000 student places will be made available for 2009/10.
16 July 2009
million+ welcomes Prime Minister’s commitment to fund additional university places
Pam Tatlow Chief Executive of the university think-tank million+ has today (Thursday) welcomed the Prime Minister’s commitment to provide additional student places…
15 July 2009
million+ comments on House of Lords debate on availability of student places
Commenting on the House of Lords debate yesterday (Tuesday) on the availability of university places, instigated by the Liberal-Democrat Peer, Baroness Sharp of Guildford
9 July 2009
million+ calls for £93 million additional investment in student support to provide places for thousands of hopeful students
Figures released today (Thursday) by UCAS, the universities admissions service, confirm a record rise in university apllications with applications to universities in England increasing by over 10%.
30 June 2009
million+ calls on Government to take a loan from Europe to tackle the crisis in funding of university places
The university think-tank million+ is today (Tuesday) calling for the Government to use a loan from the European Investment Bank (EIB) to avoid students being turned away from university in September…
17 June 2009
million+ welcomes Lord Mandelson's comments on the role of universities
Responding to a visit to Aston University by Lord Mandelson, Secretary of State for the newly created Department of Business, Innovation and Skills…
10 June 2009
million+ responds to NUS' proposals for an alternative model to fund higher education
million+ today (Wednesday) welcomed NUS’ Blueprint for an alternative higher education funding system as a useful contribution to the debate about the future funding of higher education.
5 June 2009
million+ responds to the merger of the business and universities departments
Responding to the announcement of a new Department for Business, Innovation and Skills today (Friday) which was created by merging BERR and DIUS…
4 June 2009
million+ responds to new statistics on student participation
Responding to the latest Higher Education Statistics Agency figures…
22 May 2009
million+ responds to OFFA director’s comments on university fees
The most immediate threat to access to university arises from the failure of DIUS, the Department responsible for universities…
7 May 2009
million+ responds to cuts in student numbers and university funding
Responding to an article in The Times today (Thursday) in which the Secretary of State outlined the future cuts in funding to colleges and universities…
7 May 2009
million+ comments on latest Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI) report
Pam Tatlow Chief Executive of the university think-tank million+ said, “This is a very restricted survey of only 2,000 students with no indication of the response rate and just 3 questions asked…
23 April 2009
million+ comments on unprecedented rise in applications to university
UCAS (university and college admissions service) figures released today (Thursday) show an overall 8.8% increase in UK applications to study at university
22 April 2009
million+ responds to Budget 2009
Responding to today’s Budget Professor Les Ebdon CBE Vice Chancellor of the University of Bedfordshire and Chair of million+…
30 March 2009
New million+ report confirms that modern universities boost social mobility
University think-tank million+ today (Monday) published a report which examined the levels of social mobility generated by modern universities.
26 March 2009
million+ comments on university access watchdog’s latest monitoring report
This report is very revealing and confirms yet again the postcode lottery that students face in bursary payouts.
24 March 2009
million+ launches enrol for free – proposals for a new university offer for job seekers with savings of £523million to the exchequer
As unemployment reaches 2 million, university think-tank, million+ today (Tuesday) launched enrol for free, a new policy initiative which it says the Government should adopt
5 March 2009
million+ praises decision to fund excellence in all universities
million+ praised the Government and the funding council for ensuring that excellent research is funded throughout the sector
26 February 2009
million+ comments on parliamentary committee report on widening participation
million+ today (Thursday) welcomed the publication of the Public Accounts Committees’ report on widening participation in higher education.
23 February 2009
million+ criticises Secretary of State’s polytechnic plans
John Denham suggested that new universities should revert to their former polytechnic role and status and an uber elite of only 5-10 universities be supported in their place.
29 January 2009
Decline in part-time students a result of unfair funding regime
Responding to official HESA statistics that confirm a sharp decease (3%) in part-time enrolments of undergraduate students in England…
29 January 2009
Million+ comments on Funding Council decision on funding research
Responding to the communication from the Higher Education Funding Council for England regarding the funding of research rated in the Research Assessment Exercise 2008
27 January 2009
New report demonstrates strength and value of UK Universities’ transnational education partnerships but urges Government to do more
The report from the university think-tank million+ and Kingston University is the first to track the scale of the international activities of universities.
22 January 2009
million+ responds to annual grant letter to Hefce
Responding to the publication of the Secretary of State John Denham’s letter to the Higher Education Funding Council for England (Hefce)
16 January 2009
Select Committee support for collaborative working between Further and Higher Education is right approach, says million+
million+ today welcomed the Innovation, Universities, Skills and Science Committee report – ‘Re-skilling for recovery: after Leitch’.
13 January 2009
million+ comments on the publication of the Government White Paper ‘New Opportunities – Fair Chances for the Future’
Responding to the publication today of the Government White Paper focusing on social mobility…
5 January 2009
Conservative plans would cut student numbers and reduce opportunities says Chair of university think-tank
David Cameron’s plans to restrict expenditure on all Government departments – except for health, schools, defence and international development…
5 January 2009
million+ Chair awarded a CBE in the New Year's Honours List
Professor Les Ebdon, Vice Chancellor of the University of Bedfordshire, has been awarded a CBE (Commander of the British Empire) by the Queen in the New Year’s Honours List.