Million Plus

The university think-tank million+ has commented on the HEPI publication on the deregulation of student number controls. The report reviews the background to, and implications of, the decision to lift the cap on student numbers in England.

Pam Tatlow, Chief Executive of the university think-tank million+, said:

“Expanding opportunities for people to enter higher education is a sound investment for both taxpayers and individuals but a big question mark hangs over the decision to deregulate numbers in 2015. The Treasury made no allowance for maintenance grants after 2016 and Ministers will be lucky to get £200m from the sale of the student loan book rather than the £12bn that the Chancellor of Exchequer predicted.”

“Vice-Chancellors and students are entitled to know how the circle will be squared and to receive assurances that the axe will not fall again on the Student Opportunity Allocation fund.”

“Private providers have been incentivised since 2012 but changes to student number controls have also promoted an unbalanced HE market in which historic, rather than earned, esteem has become ever more important.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors
1. For further information or to arrange an interview, contact Rochelle Owusu- Antwi, Press and Communications Officer, million+ on: t: 020 7717 1658 | m: 07527 336 795 | e: press@millionplus.ac.uk.
2. million+ is a leading university think-tank. More information can be found at www.millionplus.ac.uk.
3. ‘A guide to the removal of student number controls’ will be published on the HEPI website on Thursday 18 September.