Million Plus

MillionPlus, the Association for Modern Universities, has today (4 May) commented on the government's support package for universities and students.

Professor Rama Thirunamachandran, Chair of MillionPlus and Vice-Chancellor of Canterbury Christ Church University, said:

“MillionPlus welcomes the government’s recognition that the university sector will continue to play a vital role in the economy and society as we look to recover from the impact of Covid-19. The proposals to stabilise higher education in this critical period to ensure their sustainability rightly address how payments to universities are profiled, bringing forward standard payments for teaching and research by a few months. 

"Student recruitment is an essential part of this much-needed stability - universities will doubtless engage positively with proportionate measures to ensure that prospective students are not disadvantaged in this period of uncertainly. The guarantee of expanded numbers for educating key public service workers is to be welcomed and follows work highlighting this priority area last week by MillionPlus. 

"Rebuilding Britain after the Covid-19 crisis will require fresh investment to expand the university infrastructure to support these crucial subject areas. I hope that in due course further proposals by government will set out an ambitious agenda along these lines.”

ENDS

Notes to editors

1. For further information or to arrange an interview, please contact Dan Blows on 020 3927 2916 or emailpress@millionplus.ac.uk
2. 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
3. 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. 
4. Modern universities: facts and stats