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 Pam Tatlow Chief Executive of university think-tank million+ said, “It is disappointing that Lord Drayson was unable to offer any assurances that the crisis in funding university places will be averted. Universities are only 4 weeks away from clearing and thousands of students will be turned away unless the Government finds a solution. The clock is ticking and universities are still prepared to respond with additional places but the ball is firmly in the Government’s court. With unemployment set to rise to 3 million, common sense suggests that Ministers should invest in higher education but they are leaving it very late and yesterday’s debate will provide little comfort to the thousands of people of all ages who have applied to study at university in September.”
ENDS
Notes to editors:
- million+ is a leading university think-tank, working to solve the complex problems in higher education. www.millionplus.ac.uk
- In England there has been 10.1% increase in applications with an unprecedented rise in applications from older students 21-24 – 17.2% increase from students aged 21-24 and a 22% increase from students aged 25 and over.
- For more information please contact Gemma Tumelty, Public Affairs Officer on 0207 7171657 or 07900 277819.