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, Vince Cable MP as a way to deal with the UK’s deficit. The think-tank will also make the case for continued university expansion as a way out of the recession and to meet the future needs of the economy and seek clarification on the parties’ position.
At the million+ and National Union of Students’ fringe meeting (Sunday) entitled The Higher Education Debate: Parties and Promises Professor Les Ebdon CBE, Vice chancellor of the University of Bedfordshire and Chair of million+ will say, “Vince Cable has produced a list of organisations that could be scythed from the body politic to find the savings that he says the UK should make to tackle the deficit. Shopping lists are helpful but it’s always useful to know what’s really in the tin as well as what’s on the shelf. The proposed cull of Regional Development Agencies, Strategic Health Authorities and the proposals to abolish national education strategies will all have a direct impact on students and universities.
“Universities and the NHS rely on funding from Strategic Health Authorities for clinical placements and the graduate education of nurses, midwives, radiographers and other NHS professional. Abolition of the SHAs without any replacement bodies will affect universities and remove at a stroke an important planning function in the delivery of the NHS workforce. The same applies to Regional Development Agencies which have provided important sources of funding for innovative regional activities to support regeneration in projects in which universities have been involved.
“We know that there are tough choices ahead but universities are central the UK’s economic recovery and must be funded and supported as such. The Liberal-Democrats have said that they would add 10,000 additional university places in 2010 but senior politicians have also questioned the number of young people who should be funded to go to university in the future. Students and universities need to be clear: do the Liberal Democrats support increased investment in higher education or not? Will the Liberal Democrats restrict who goes to university or commit to funding every well qualified person who wants to go to university?”
ENDS
Notes to editors:
- million+ is a leading university think-tank, working to solve the complex problems in higher education. www.millionplus.ac.uk
- Higher Education Spokesperson for the Liberal Democrats, Stephen Williams MP and Chair of the Innovation, Universities, Science and Skills Select Committee, Phil Willis MP will address the million+ and NUS fringe meeting will be held on Sunday 20 September 2009 at 20.00-21.15 at the Royal Exeter Hotel, Tregonwell Suite, Bournemouth
- For more information please contact Gemma Tumelty on 0207 7171655 or 07900 277819