MillionPlus comments on Post-16 education and skills white paper

MillionPlus, the Association for Modern Universities, has today (21 October) commented on the Post-16 education and skills white paper which was published by the government yesterday.

Rachel Hewitt, Chief Executive of MillionPlus said:

“MillionPlus welcomes the clarity brought by the government’s Post-16 education and skills white paper and the recognition of the strength and breadth of our diverse higher education system. The clear articulation of the government’s vision will inform universities’ long term strategic planning and confirmation that government will introduce inflationary increases to tuition fee levels and maintenance loans go some way to help universities and students to withstand the financial pressures they are under.

“We also welcome the opportunity offered to explore other areas of financial sustainability with the government, including legislated pension schemes which place modern universities on an uneven playing field.

“The government’s ambition to broaden the education offer and types of provision to improve the skills pipeline is welcome, as is the aim to widen access and participation while introducing greater flexibility for students. Modern universities are drivers of opportunity, innovation and regional growth and have a long history of working in partnership with FE colleges, employers, as well as working collaboratively with local bodies to meet local and regional needs. To amplify the impact of this collaborative approach further, MillionPlus has been working closely with member universities to support and facilitate collaboration between universities themselves.

“Given the significance of the proposals surrounding teaching quality, including implications for fee income and student recruitment, concerns remain around the limited ways available of measuring quality in higher education, which is generally based on lagged data and inappropriate proxies for teaching quality in particular. It is essential that the time is taken to get these measures right, and MillionPlus will continue to engage with the OfS on the development of the future approach to quality regulation through their consultation.

“Furthermore, we also welcome the exploration of a measure of ‘value add’, to allow providers to demonstrate the transformative experience HE can provide.”

Notes to editors

1. For further information or to arrange an interview, please contact Rachel Hewitt on 07795645241 or email ceo@millionplus.ac.uk
2. The government's Post-16 education and skills white paper can be found here.
3. MillionPlus is the Association for Modern Universities in the UK, and the voice of 21st century higher education. We champion, promote and raise awareness of the essential role and impact of modern universities in the UK’s world-leading higher education sector. More information can be found at www.millionplus.ac.uk
4. What are modern universities? Modern universities are long established centres of higher education in their communities with roots that stretch back decades, if not centuries. Many gained university title following legislation agreed by parliament in 1992. They make up almost half of the UK university sector with over a million students studying at modern universities every year.
5. Think Modern: Innovation, ingenuity and inclusion from Britain's modern universities - FACTS AND STATS