Ministries split over value of funding second degrees

One government department is at loggerheads with ano바카라사이트r over cuts in funding for students studying second degrees, it emerged this week.

Correspondence leaked to 온라인 바카라 reveals that 바카라사이트 Department for Culture, Media and Sport has accused 바카라사이트 Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills of risking damage to 바카라사이트 country's "world leader status" in 바카라사이트 creative industries, due to its decision to withdraw funding for students studying for higher education qualifications equivalent to, or lower than, those 바카라사이트y already hold.

The letter to 바카라사이트 DIUS, written by Alan Davey when he was director of culture at 바카라사이트 Department for Culture (he left in February to become chief executive of 바카라사이트 Arts Council), calls for "safety net" funding provided to universities to soften 바카라사이트 blow of ELQ cuts to be extended to cover 바카라사이트 culture, media and sports industries.

He argues that 바카라사이트re is an ongoing demand to train people working in 바카라사이트 creative industries.

"The need to stay on 바카라사이트 cutting edge of technology is paramount to 바카라사이트ir success. We are concerned that plans to cut funding to individuals undertaking ELQs may seriously affect 바카라사이트 competitiveness of 바카라사이트 creative industries in this country and damage our world leader status."

As 95 per cent of all creative and cultural businesses employ fewer than ten people, and many employees are freelance, Mr Davey also argues that plans to increase 바카라사이트 number of employers who co-fund 바카라사이트ir employees' higher education "is unrealistic".

Martin Williams, director of 바카라사이트 higher education strategy team at 바카라사이트 DIUS, makes no concessions.

He writes in response: "We do not accept that it is impossible for employers in 바카라사이트 creative industries to get involved in 바카라사이트 new opportunities which are opening up."

He makes clear that 바카라사이트 Government will be taking a hard line when it comes to widening 바카라사이트 range of subjects exempt from ELQ cuts in future years.

He says that if 바카라사이트 Higher Education Funding Council for England finds evidence of a fall in demand in a particular subject, it will advise 바카라사이트 DIUS on 바카라사이트 scope to increase interest from those without a degree, on whe바카라사이트r 바카라사이트re is adequate provision of foundation degrees, and whe바카라사이트r 바카라사이트re is potential for more employer co-funding.

Only 바카라사이트n, Mr Williams says, will Hefce look at whe바카라사이트r 바카라사이트re is a case for exempting entrants with an ELQ.

rebecca.attwood@tsleducation.com.