Million Plus

The university think-tank million+ has responded to the 2014 Budget statement of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne.

Pam Tatlow, chief executive of the university think-tank million+ said:

“Funding for new Doctoral Training Centres will be welcome but it is disappointing that these will only be focused on science, maths and engineering. The suggestion that more resources will be available in the future to support postgraduate study offer a glimmer of hope that the Chancellor understands that much more needs to be done but the budget was a missed opportunity to harness the potential of universities to boost growth in the regions.”

“Instead universities in England will have to absorb inflationary costs for the third year running and will now have to manage further costs in relation to pension schemes.”

“The reduction in the funding for the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) announced prior to the budget and the Chancellor’s expectation that universities will recruit 30,000 additional students mean that by 2015, higher education will suffer a further 9% cut in real terms.”

“This approach stands in sharp contrast to the much higher levels of investment in higher education being made by Britain's competitors.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors

1. For further information and to arrange interviews, contact Victoria Robinson, Press and Communications Officer, million+ on 020 7717 1658 / 07527 336 795 or email press@millionplus.ac.uk.
2. million+ is a leading university think-tank. More information can be found at: www.millionplus.ac.uk.
3. The Chancellor of the Exchequer announced that the cap would be lifted on student numbers in England in a statement to the House of Commons on 5 December 2013.