Million Plus

The House of Lords Industry and Regulators Committee conducted an inquiry into the Office for Students (OfS)—the regulator of higher education in England.

The inquiry considered whether the statutory duties of the OfS are clear and examined its performance against those duties since its establishment. It looked at how the OfS’ regulatory framework had developed since its inception, its independence from and relationship with the Government, and whether it has the necessary expertise and resources to carry out its functions.

The inquiry will also examined the OfS’ work in relation to the financial sustainability of the higher education sector. This included consideration of the extent of systemic financial risks in the sector, such as the reliance of some universities on overseas students, how the OfS considers and manages these risks, and the potential consequences of and processes for the failure of providers

MillionPlus is supportive of the need for good regulation, which helps to reinforce the quality and strength of our higher education sector, underpinning its international reputation. However the approach the OfS has taken to implement the regulatory framework is causing significant burden and ever increasing bureaucracy in our member universities.

Read our evidence in full:

Download House of Lords Industry and Regulators Committee inquiry: the work of the Office for Students »